My sincere thanks to all who e-mailed their suggestions, both
on-line and off.
I was trying to solder, with minimum warping, a 2"x3" bezel onto a
slightly larger backing plate of 18G sterling, and was having
buzzard luck.
Here is what worked for me-
1). “The Bigger Hammer Approach.” I had been using a #3 tip on my
Presto-lite torch. I moved up to a #6 tip.
- “The Smaller Nail Approach.” I used easy solder.
3). I wanted to be able to heat from beneath, with support, though,
to minimize warping, but my tripod was too small to accomodate the
piece and the cast-iron base drew off too much heat, so I took the
tripod screen and placed it on top of a couple of rocks so that it
was supported at the edges.
I tried the two torches technique using a Bernz-o-matic on top and
the Presto-lite from below, but the Presto-lite flame was apparently
snarfing up too much of the available oxygen and the Bernz-o-matic
would not stay lit. I was able, however, to get the solder flowing
with the Presto-lite alone, heating from beneath, and then just
brought the flame up to the top and flowed the solder around the
bezel. The main issue, I think, was going to the #6 tip, and then
opening up the tank valve and regulator so the flame was going full
blast and roaring loudly.
Lee Einer
Dos Manos Jewelry
http://www.dosmanosjewelry.com