But for picks? I'll still stick with tungsten or tungsten carbide. Before using, heat up the points nice and hot, to discolor/oxidize them a bit, and the solder sticks less.
Yes, for platinum they are probably still the best alternative but
it annoys the hell out of me when the solder sticks to it which why I
only use it on the platinum.
James Binnion
James Binnion Metal Arts
I have used a titanium pick for many years, a sharpened 50mm length
of 2mm titanium wire in a hardwood twig handle. It’s main advantage
is solder cannot bond to it, but there are two things that cause me
problems. It becomes soft at red heat and the tip will bend when
pressing big things into alignment while hot; and it expoldes is a
shower of sparks if I’m not careful when using the oxy-acetylene
torch.
My recent experience with a pulse arc welder has shown me few things
about tungsten: pure tungsten is very brittle, and lathanium or
tri-mix tungsten is more flexible. 1.5 - 2mm Tungsten is readily
available from welding suppliers in the form of TIG electrodes. I
will be trying a tungsten solder pick soon.
Alastair
I’ve been using a titanium solder pick purchased from Bill at Anchor
Tool (remember Anchor Tool anyone?) about 25 years ago. Love
it…wouldn’t use anything else. I don’t work with Platinum…just
fine and sterling silver, and 14k and 18k gold.
Linda Kaye-Moses
One of my friends clains that nichrome wire (electric heater
element) in a wooden handle works well as a solder pick. I haven’t
tried it yet. What do you think? GV
One of my friends clains that nichrome wire (electric heater
element) in a wooden handle works well as a solder pick. I haven’t
tried it yet. What do you think? GV