I am just as much (or maybe more so) in need of the occasional
correction as any other human I sure donât recall such
instructions in the package they sent me but I am famous for not
reading the directions the first time.
If it is packed with inert gas this is a real shelf life issue as it
is virtually impossible to keep oxygen out of a container that is
made of most polymers. Some are much better than others but Oxygen
still leaks in. The process is diffusion and the property is
permeability. I am fighting a battle with it right now so I have been
doing lots of research on it but basically the oxygen will pass right
though the plastics atomic matrix and eventually spoil the product.
This helps explain the cost of Firescoff also if it is that sensitive
to oxygen then packaging is a real costly pain.
Thanks Alan,
Jim
James Binnion @James_Binnion
James Binnion Metal Arts
mine came already. I punched pay by check --it accepted this at no
charge. It looks to be much thinned collodial alummina solution that
normally might be used as a fiber insulation hardener with boric acid
as the flux. see
The Cas numbers on the Msds go along with thisâ It does make
sense.
I had no trouble placing an order by checking the box below the
credit card where there was an option for something like
cash/check. The order went through immediately, showing a balance due
of Zero. I have received 3 follow-up emails showing the progress of
my order, the last one showing that the item is now on its way to me.
Well folks I have been away for vacation for a week since I posted
my pleasure with using Firescoff. Just spent ten minutes reviewing
the responsesâŚI used it on very large silver pieces (8"x1") and did
not use any additional flux. Two little bottles covered six rings and
four of my large pieces. They covered very smoothly and my solder
flowed beautifully.
This is MY experience and I have not used Cupronil yet but have just
ordered it to compare.
I understand that Firescoff was not initially developed for the
jewelry industry and appreciate that the owner of the company answers
the phone and is eager to address problems/questions when they are
raised. For me the biggest advantage is the elimination of the
pickle. Does Cupronil wash off in wateri It was interesting to hear
the pro/cons of people who have used it. I do understand the
overspray issue but I find that boric acid has gunked up my charcoal
block for years so no difference there! SoâŚI will keep using my new
product and am planning on buying the large size regardless of the
cost.
I do understand the overspray issue but I find that boric acid has
gunked up my charcoal block for years so no difference there!
True, but the boric acid didnât cost a dollar or two! If a project
is too big to pickle easily I can see how this stuff could be a boon.
Otherwise, I think this is going to be a tough sell.
Not to beat a very expired horse, butâŚin âreexaminingâ it:.
It is not the boric acid in the over spray that is problematic its
the heat activated âceramicâ that liquefies with heat and ruins grey
and white dual temp/ dual sided soldering boards, clean compressed
charcoal blocks ( though oddly- one would think that the charcoal
would resist pitting or build-up caused by blobs of flux
glass/âceramic out of matrixâ left by a quick hit and run soldering
operation- for example; a clean and tight,beveled joint with one
point of contact on sterling or.950 silver}.
Another caution I have for you sterling users ( and abusers ) out
theRe: I, in my quest for knowledge, tried a test on a number of
tiles of various metals to give firescoff an additional go at it (
though Cupronil, and thermoguard or siliquar paste for stone
protection-barring wet wadded newspaper in a pinch,is still my
champion). One of the tiles I used was a left over 35mmx10mm
sterling with a potassium sulphate oxidised stamped pattern. I rolled
it into a tube and applied the firescoff according to Nventaâs
recommendations. I turned on the hydroflux welder and bangâŚa nice,
unplanned miniature explosion. the oxidation and previous pickle had
been neutralized. This leads me to believe that one should not
oxidise then solder. I believe I read something about Firescoffâs
potential for hydrogen reaction with oxidation on Nventaâs first
published MSDS.
I finally got around to trying out my teensy bottle of Firescoff
yesterday. There was so little in there that it only made one
application on one ring, and didnât actually cover all of that! (The
packaging has to have cost much more than the contents-- seems like
the sample could have been several times larger, and actually given
us a chance to really try out the product!)
Anyway, I can say this-- the parts of the sterling that were covered
were still shiny and clean when I removed the Firescoff, and the
parts that had none were pink and scummy. The soldering went just
fine-- but it would have with any flux.
I sure donât recall such