Evening, I have two questions about silver paste solder. The
definitions seem to have changed in catalogs, and I cannot find what
I used before all was stolen. I had three syringes of paste easy,
medium and hard. I would like to replace these, sources please.
Second question, a friend has some that has hardened inside the
syringe, she wonders if it is possible to rejuvenate it and what
with.
Thanks,
Teresa
who is finally going back to silver work
Teresa,I’ve been using Hilderbrand paste solders for
years…they’re great.
I had the same prob of the last of the paste hardening in the tube.I
contacted Hilderbrand www.hilderbrand.ch and got a very helpful
response from Walter Niederman.
The binder in the paste gets pressed out leaving just the solder
which wont do the oozing out thing as its not liquid enough.
Hilderbrand supplied me with a small container of the binder.I
scraped out the dried up stuff,mixed in the binder to an appropriate
consistency,stuck it back in the tube and it works perfectly.
Colin.
Hi Teresa,
I had three syringes of paste easy, medium and hard. I would like to replace these, sources please.
I think Rio Grande stocks silver solder paste as you describe. You
might also try any local jewelers supplys. One of the manufacturers
of past solder is Khron Industries in Carlstadt NJ.
Second question, a friend has some that has hardened inside the syringe, she wonders if it is possible to rejuvenate it and what with.
Depending on how hard the paste has gotten, it may or may not be
able to be softened.
I don’t know of any way to remove the solder from the syringe &
reconstitute it. However, heating it a little usually helps. Here’s
one way that might work.
Place a 60 watt or smaller light bulb 3 or 4 inches above the
syringe for a few minutes. Don’t let it there so long the heat melts
the syringe.
Another way is to place the portion of the syringe containing the
solder in a cup of hot water for a time.
Dave
Teresa, Santa Fe Jewelers Supply carries super easy, easy medium and
hard paste solders. It is available in one ounce syringes or 5 ounce
jars. We can be reached at: sfjssantafe.com As to rejuvenating old
paste solder, I am unaware of any reliable method that I could
recommend. If there is one, I would be interested in that myself. Hope
to hear from you, Steve SFJS
Hi Teresa; I used to buy my paste from Indian Jewelers Supply,
Gallup, New Mexico. I’m not in my shop or I would give you their
address and phone number. Their website is http://www.ijsinc.com.
If my paste hardens, I use a hair blow dryer that I keep in my shop.
I hold the syringe with my thumb on the plunger with only slight
pressure and while holding the blow dryer about six inches from it
(using a low heat setting) I heat it for just seconds until I feel
the plunger give under this slight pressure. I might mention that I
try to keep the heat away from the tip. If you overheat especially at
the tip you could actually harden the paste. I might also mention
that Katherine Palochak and I (correct me if I’m wrong Katherine)
have quit buying paste and now make our own and don’t have to worry
about this problem. We buy powdered solder and Gel Flux (brand name)
and make it up as we need it. You can use a tooth pick or some other
desirable instrument to place it. It also has the advantage of being
easier to use for filigree by simply placing the metal in the flux
then into the powdered solder, also great for soldering earring
posts. Hope this helps, and it’s good to hear from you, best wishes,
John Barton
Hi Theresa, Great that you’re getting started up again! Hauser and
Miller’s website says that it’s solder is available in sheet, strip,
paste or wire, and lists easy, medium and hard silver solder. I
don’t know if all temperatures are available in all forms, but it
might be worth a shot. I have had some success in rejuvinating gold
paste solder by putting it in my toaster oven at LOW temp (200
degrees or less) for a very short time. I test often to see if
anything will come out when the plunger is pushed, and declare
victory when it does. In my experience, this can be done
successfully only a limited number of times. Hope this helps Linda
a friend has some that has hardened inside the syringe, she wonders if it is possible to rejuvenate it and what with.
Hi Teresa, Yeah… that’s the problem with paste solder… it has a
shelf life, usually less than a year. I had some that dried out in
the syringe, as well. I used a piece of wire and kind of dug out the
contents into a small container. I then added some flux (the green
kind) and mixed it thoroughly. It seemed to work just fine. The
challenge I find in using paste flux is determining when the solder
flows, as it is already in a semi-liquid form. Just takes a little
experience, I guess, and careful observation.
I also found that I had better control dispensing the paste solder
from the syringe onto a disposable surface, then using a toothpick to
apply a “dab” of solder where I wanted it. I found the syringe to be
too cumbersome and imprecise as an applicator.
All the best,
Dave
Dave Sebaste
Sebaste Studio and
Carolina Artisans’ Gallery
Charlotte, NC (USA)
dave@sebaste.com
http://www.CarolinaArtisans.com
Teresa, I get silver paste solder in syringes from Hagstoz in Philly,
but have also gotten them from Rio.
Hagstoz’ phone is 800-922-1006.
Rio’s paste solder seems to no longer be sold in syringe form, but
is in jars.
However, in any case you could easily get appropriate syringes and
fill “as needed” from the jar – would probably keep a little better,
too. To get small syringes (without needles) cheaply (or for free),
check with your local veterinarian. They use them all the time for
vaccines and other relatively clean uses, and take the needles off
for medical waste discards. The syringes themselves are thrown away.
If you don’t mind cleaning them (take out the stopper and wash
thoroughly in a bath of hot water and soap, then lay in the sun to
dry), you’ll have a wonderful source in just the right size. If you
DO mind cleaning them, ask your vet if s/he will order some on your
behalf (they are ordered without needles) if you pay for them. Take a
look, but the 3ml size is probably ideal for most jewelry uses.
As long as the syringes are purchased without needles, they are
perfectly legal to have without a prescription. With the needles,
you need a prescription. (At least here in the U.S.)
Good luck!
Karen Goeller
@Karen_Goeller
www.nolimitations.com
You can find easy, medium, and hard paste solder at Indian Jewelers
Supply.
Deb Karash
Hi John,
We buy powdered solder and Gel Flux (brand name) and make it up as we need it.
Sounds like a neat idea!
Where can the powdered solder & flux be obtained?
Thanks,
Dave
To get small syringes (without needles) cheaply (or for free), check with your local veterinarian.
Another option and involves no cleaning, would be to ask for some
free baby dosers at your local pharmacy. they are syringes w/out
needles used to give liquid meds to babies and are sterile. 
Cece