Prips / easiflo

Jewelry Discussion
1 
    I have been planning to make Prips for months after My question
is whether Prips will both protect surfaces from oxide formation AND
assist solder flow,

G’day Modom; you rang? Prips flux does protect surfaces from the
dreaded fire stain to a certain extent, but isn’t the magic some
would say. It does work as a flux when soldering, but I do put a
little Easyflo on the joint as well, for Easiflo is the best flux I
have used for actual soldering. Dangerous? I dunno, really. I’ve
been using it for over 25 years and although I do have asthma, I have
no idea whether Easiflo is a contributory cause or not. (I have been
told I have “contorted bronchia”, actually). But if you’re really
worried, then stick to Prips for protection, and plain borax slurry
for soldering. After all, Prips does contain plenty of borax and a
bit more won’t hurt. Maybe you’ll never feel happy about Easiflo;
nobody has done any research on it’s effect on us. So what we have
heard about deleterious effects is just anecdotal. Sorry I can’t be
more positive. Cheers, – John Burgess;
@John_Burgess2 of Mapua Nelson NZ

2

The commercial “easyflow” type contain boron fluorides which
give a little better cleaning action than straight boric acid sodium
borate fluxes. The fluorides vaporize and the vapor is injurious.
They should only be used in a well ventilated area. Like John I have
been around these things off and on for many years . A lot of them
before there was much concern for personal harm. I have survived the
effects of this and other equally bad stuff but have a slight
susceptibility to bronchitis that is probably due to industrial
exposures to pollutants - never smoked so I am still alive. Smoking IS
worse. Jesse

3

I agree with that. I heat a solder pick, plunge it into powder
Easiflo, and apply it to the metal halfway through heating it up.

    So what we have heard about deleterious effects is just
anecdotal.

I’m asthmatic too, John! So there you have it: more anecdotal
evidence. But I certainly don’t like the idea of the flouride fumes
turning into hydroflouric acid in my lungs. That’s the story I scare
myself with, anyway. Nowadays I use a small fan blowing airflow across
the work area in the general direction of a part-open window.

Brian

B r i a n � A d a m
E y e g l a s s e s
O t h e r J e w e l l e r y
Auckland NEW ZEALAND