Is It Really Soldering?

[DawninCal]

I mentioned at the S&T Oldies "Favorites" thread that I had a question about soldering. It's not a "how to" question as much as it is seeking a definition of soldering or perhaps it will become a bit of a philosophical discussion. Let's find out.

Earlier this year, I started playing around with a soldering iron. It was a cheap tool purchased on clearance at Michael's. Once I got over my fear of burning the house down, I had great fun teaching myself how to use it. Over this past year and also in the Oldies thread mentioned above, I've posted some of the things I've made.

So, my question is this: There is a big part of me that has doubts that what I'm doing is actually soldering. I feel like until I use a torch and set a stone, I can't truthfully say I've soldered. I suppose I could look at it as a different type of soldering (it's actually referred to as "soft soldering" in the books and videos I've watched, but it still feels kind of fake.

And, I guess in the end, it doesn't really matter as long as I'm happy doing it and the things I'm producing are functional, well made pieces that won't fall apart. But, I'm still curious. In your minds, would you call what I'm doing soldering or am I big ol' faker.



Dawn

[michelle]

I have no idea. But whatever it is called, I love what you are doing. 😄

[caeterle]

In the sale groups I have seen others doing bezels in the same style and they always called it soldering. Also it's called a soldering iron for a reason. It's not called "kind of fake soldering with a cheap tool".
There are different kinds of wireworking, different kinds of beadworking and different kinds of soldering.
I think you are on the step of really wanting to try out a torch and maybe your subconscious is trying to convince you that you haven't soldered before doing that?

[caeterle]

And here:

"Solder is the small piece of alloyed metal that you melt in order to fuse two other pieces of metal. The place where the metals are fused is called a joint. Solders come in three types: hard, medium, and easy. Each type has a different melting point. Hard melts at high temperature, medium at a lower temperature, and easy at an even lower temperature. When creating or repairing a jewelry piece, multiple joints require different types of solder. In this article, we'll cover the different varieties of jewelry metal solders."

You ARE soldering and before you know it, you'll probably set stones like crazy while I'm still afraid of burning the house down

[DawninCal]

Thank you, Michelle. I really appreciate your support.

Cat, your comment about "fake soldering with a cheap tool" made me laugh out loud!

While I'm no expert with a torch, I've used one enough to feel somewhat comfortable by making balled headpins and doing some form folded pieces. I think what my issue is is that I started out stringing beads and there was this vibe I got that beading was somehow the least skilled form of jewelry making there is which put the stringers at the very bottom of the food chain. It was like the seed beaders and the wire wrapper/weavers were several steps about the stringers and at the very top of the heap were the people who were soldering and setting stones. Like they were the ones making real jewelry. Now, I don't agree with any of that because all of those various forms of designing and making jewelry take special skills, but that seemed to be the attitude of many. I'll bet there are people who solder and set stones who couldn't string a necklace properly if their lives depended on it. When I think of the skills you have in working with seed beads and the amazing things you create it makes my head spin. I'd consider you a master of your craft. And, of course, we all know of the absolutely incredible work being produced by wire weavers/wrappers who are at the top of their game. It takes incredible skill and talent to produce work using these other techniques.

So now, I'm using a soldering iron which amounts to being at the very bottom of the food chain in the soldering world. Regardless of that, I'm enthralled with making the little critters and bezels for stones and am having a blast. But, there is still that niggling, nagging thought in my head that it's not legitimate soldering work.

Having read the quote you provided (and I will read the full article) I now feel like what I'm doing with a soldering iron is a form of soldering.

My husband has soldered with both a torch and a soldering iron and agrees that both are soldering, but he thinks that it's a lot harder to become skilled with a torch than it is a soldering iron.

You are right that I would like to become better with a torch and I would definitely like to learn to set stones. But, it's not my goal to reach a point that I exclusively set stones with a torch. It's just another skill I'd like to add to what I already know.

At the moment, I'm content and intent on becoming as much a master of the soldering iron as I can and I can't tell you how much I enjoy making the little animals and trying different things with cabachons. I'd also like to know just how much one can accomplish with a soldering iron beyond its usual uses. I know myself and I won't move on to torch work until I feel completely comfortable with a soldering iron.

I just feel like saying what I do is soldering isn't really accurate. I think maybe I have to adjust my brain and come around to believe that it is ok to use the term "soldering" and to stop letting those long ago forum comments take up space in my head.

Ha! I dunno, Cat. It could be a good long while before I attempt to set a stone and in the meantime you'd be waving a hot soldering iron around making all kinds of cool stuff!



Dawn

[DawninCal]

One more clarifying thought.

I think if I felt like I could say, "I soldered this piece of work" without feeling like I have to say "I soldered this piece of work using a soldering iron" I'd feel less of a faker. I mean people don't say "I soldered this piece of work with a torch." They don't feel a need to say that. But, I feel like if I don't add that part about the soldering iron, I'm not being completely forthright.



Dawn

[caeterle]

Obviously others don't have that problem.
You know what our problem is. We so often wonder what other artisans say. Can you imagine the beadwork I keep seeing out there? Huge, elaborate pieces, 3D, all kinds of techniques in one piece. I see intricate and complicated wirework.
But you know what? I'm not them. I'm me. I'm my style. I have made an octopus with one crochet hook and one kind of stitch. I make doll outfits with one or two stitches using a crooked needle. Only two of my pliers are not from the hardware store and I never tell anyone when showing one of my wire pieces. I have a whole set of crochet hooks, but for the last ten years I have used pretty much only used one for all my wire crochet and knit pieces. I could keep going, but that would get even more annoying than it already is

Do you know all the tools that people use to make things you get?

What I'm trying to say is that it's what you do with that soldering iron, not that you use one. Don't sell yourself cheap. Forget those comments. How about being proud instead of what you can already do with that iron? And look forward to experimenting and seeing what else you can do with it. I know I am.

Can someone help me off my soapbox now? My knee hurts.

[michelle]

Cat, I love all of your points and agree with them. This one made me laugh. “It's not called "kind of fake soldering with a cheap tool". Perfect.

Dawn, I know what you mean about the jewelry making hierarchy. I have felt that way as well. It’s part of the reason I’ve been dismayed that my loss of dexterity has made wire wrapping out of reach, and made beading more difficult. But the other day, I realized that practically speaking, I enjoy wearing my simple strands as much as anything more complicated I’ve made. And for those who purchase your creations, they are just going to enjoy wearing them. They won’t be wondering whether their necklace was soldered with a soldering iron or a torch. They probably won’t be wondering how you did it at all. They are just going to feel beautiful.

[DawninCal]

I just love how much thought and care both of you have put into your responses. You've given me much to think about.

Michelle, I'm sorry that making jewelry has become difficult for you. I mentioned earlier that I started out stringing beads, and while it may seem a simple skill, not everyone has a great eye for color or for what works together and what doesn't. I don't do much bead stringing anymore, but I really enjoy getting out a design board and playing with different combinations of beads and I also enjoy the act of stringing itself. As I mentioned in the current S&T thread I often find the simple beaded pieces are the ones I wear the most.

This conversation has taken an interesting turn and I hope you all are enjoying it as much as I am.



Dawn

[caeterle]

You know me, I love being on a soapbox, so yes, I'm enjoying this.

[DawninCal]

No one does a soap box better than you do, Cat.



Dawn

[caeterle]

What I don't get is why we have to tell each other this all the time. Why do artists, no matter in what medium, constantly doubt their own value while they are so often enthusiastic about encouraging others? That's not a metalsmithing question, though.

[brad]

I believe silver soldering is technically brazing. And fusing two pieces or ends etc together is the goal. I am just now, after many years facing some confidence with “hard” solder.
Bottom line…if whatever you are doing, holds the pieces together, under expected stresses, is fine. That said, if you are satisfied with the neatness of the metallergic bond. Brad

[Irith-Rita]

If you are soldering for your own amusement and people like it and buy it, and everyone is satisfied, it is good.