Today was a play day in the shop, so I decided to try making solder
using the formulas from The Complete Metalsmith by Tim McCreight
(1982). I think that I successfully made medium silver solder (70,
20, 10). Used a new penny for the zinc, melted it all in an old
crucible, and then rolled it out to about three square inches of 28
gauge sheet. Any thoughts are appreciated about making solder,
especially about how careful I have to be heating the zinc to keep
it from vaporizing it changing the proportions? In the end, I will
continue buying my solder from Hoover and Strong, but I just wanted
to try making it. Thanks for your comments.
Rob Meixner