Joining 2 or more large pieces of silver

Jewelry Discussion
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Hello,

I am wanting to join 2 (or more) large pieces of silver. Does anyone have any recommendations for a way to weld or laser join the pieces? I’m not sure that soldering is the way to go, and even if it is, I’d like an alternative to soldering.

For context, part of what I do is make sculptures from fine (or sometimes sterling equivalent) silver, and the parts are occasionally larger than what I can cast. I have cast them in parts and soldering hasn’t been successful yet.

Some of the sections can be a kilo or more of silver, and by the time I have sunk enough heat into the pieces, the solder and surfaces seem to have oxidized resulting in failure every time.

Thank you for any advice you can give.

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Hello,

perhaps you can post a photo of what you are trying to do?

(see the upload icon at the bottom right of the post)

julie

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Tig welding is what I would recommend.

A learning curve for sure, but the basics apply to silver welding as to most other metals.

Good luck.

~AJ

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I will take photos when I go back to my studio later this week.

Thank you

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Back in the day, I was a nuclear grade Stainless steel TIG welder, so I guess a bit of experimentation and refreshing is all I might need. Any recommendations for the type of machine needed to weld silver?

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I can’t speak for other machines, but I have a Miller DX, and it worked fine, though it has been some time since I have needed to use it on precious metals. It came in handy when I was working with platinum in the way back, and I used sterling to practice on before getting too froggy with Pt.

~AJ

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Thank you,

I will go to my welding supplies shops and see what they have that won’t break my wallet.

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Miller will dent your wallet for sure. :money_bag:

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Nuclear Grade Stainless, Very Impressive Sounding!

VULCAN ProTIG™ 205 Industrial Welder with 120/240V Input

This is the Tig Welder I researched and found very good reviews. Harbor Freight carrys this and i was able to set up a credit line and buy it on time.

My dad used to weld for Titanium processing plant TMCA . He repaired the 50 ton Crucibles w/Silver. They melted Ore into Ingots that were in turn were sent back east to the Mills for rolling into sheet and extruding into tubing and wire etc. It was Melted in a Vacume w/Lots of Electricity.

In the early 1950s the Space Race was on and Titanium was in demand because of it’s properties, namely 3,034 °F Melting point and the Strength to weight ratio and list goes on.

Some of those Huge Crucibles Blew Up :collision:

Because of the presence of moisture in the melt.

A few People were killed. They also had Problems with the Machining they did because the Cyclone Fine Dust Created Settled all over like Sawdust does in a Wood Working Shop.

They had Drums of the Stuff sitting Around Too. Graveyard Shift A Worker Taking A Smoke Break And Releaves Himself–This Starts A :fire: That The Fire Dept. Made Worse Adding More Water

It was the same problem w/the Crucibles blowing up! Violent Steam and Hydrogen Explosions and Reactions.

Water will disassociate to it’s base compounds of Hydrogen and Oxygen.

It’s like adding .43 gal of Gasoline for Every Gal. Of Water Applied :droplet: I’m quoting from :

http://titaniumtitaniumtitanium.org/page/EmergencyResponse

I Remember Hanging Above Pop’s Mineral Collection was a Multi-colored piece of Titanium that Looked Molten. It was From One Of Those Explosion.

You Might Check Out Used Tigs American Built Machines. Tig is Your Answer - Your Filler Rod will Be Silver - here’s a link…~~~*Stv

Can You Weld Silver? Methods, Challenges, and Considerations - WeldWiki

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Can You Weld Silver? Methods, Challenges, and Considerations - WeldWiki

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I don’t know what your constructing but you did say kilos of Silver. With TIG you have the advantage of Argon Gas and the ability to Concentrate your heat Right Where You Need It.

Picking the Right Solder Alloy.

Your Experience Will Be Your Biggest Asset
I Would Practice w/Copper first.

Ridding a Bicycle :bicycle: :cowboy_hat_face: Let Us Know How Things Work Out. Please…~~~*Stv

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James I’ve been checking Used TIG Welders on e-bay and Miller Makes a Welder that does STICK and MIG along with TIG

Miller Econotig CC•AC/DC Tig Stick Multi Process Stock No.903367 Welder *TESTED* | eBay

There are some others a Little Bit Cheaper of the same model From Different Sellers. Shipping Is Part Of The Expense So If Your Closer To One That You Can Physically Check It Out All the Better.

….~~~*Stv

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Thank you for the info.

I ended up buying a full set of Miller gear, though I already had the argon tanks and regulators for one of my casting machines.

I’ll take photos later today if I get the time, and post them.

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Great!…~~~*Stv