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Post by galadryl on Jan 29, 2014 14:11:38 GMT -6
Got some problems with copper wire who simply refuses to be soldered.....
I think the problem might be the bees wax I am using on the saw blades, just started that recently and it works super duper. I clean the places where I sawed the wire with a cloth and even put the bangles into my tumbler with the dish detergent to get (or rather try to get) the wax off.
Do you guys do anything else to get your wax/burlife (?)/or whatever off?
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Post by rocknwow on Jan 29, 2014 14:21:44 GMT -6
Does pickling work? I use burr life so I know it works for that.
I either do that or alcohol.
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Post by galadryl on Jan 30, 2014 3:10:01 GMT -6
Never tried pickling, good idea. I will try that. I ordered burr life in the States a fortnight ago, but it normally takes 6 weeks to reach me  If the pickling does not work I will attempt the alcohol, I guess I can get that in a pharmacy (doubt that my nice portwine works  ) Thanks for the tipps. I will let you know if something worked or if I threw the stuff around the room in frustration  |
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Post by galadryl on Feb 9, 2014 5:43:06 GMT -6
Did the pickling...
tried 3 different kind of flux...
no chance.
If the solder is on the block, it melts, if it is on the copper, no way.
So the heat is ok and the solder as well.
Bought some alcohol, will try that next...
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Loki
Full Member
Posts: 201
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Post by Loki on Feb 9, 2014 22:05:07 GMT -6
No useful input, but I'll take a glass of that port. |
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Post by rocknwow on Feb 9, 2014 22:38:20 GMT -6
Maybe switch to burr life. I put it on everything, files, gravers, burrs...since I use so much of it it should create problems but I don't have any.
Lot's of people use beeswax and I've never heard of a problem. Hmmm...is there a chance you use hand lotion?
Port doesn't solve the problem but it does make the problems easier to handle...unless your Gayle. Where's that smiley?
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Post by galadryl on Feb 10, 2014 9:06:59 GMT -6
I love port  but I am afraid it is 96% alcohol. No, no hand lotion but good thinking. I will use burr life in the future (it arrived last week and only took 4 weeks instead of 6 woohoo ) You got me thinking, Kevin, you have never heard of a beewax problem. I could not find anything in the internet either. That copper was part of aerial equipment from a amateur radio operator (I hope that is the correct word), I have used that kind of copper before but not from that particular person. Just for fun (when I have time) I will try a different batch of copper wire as well, just to be on the sure side.... |
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Post by rocknwow on Feb 10, 2014 14:17:37 GMT -6
I hate mysteries...when ever I read one I get so caught-up in trying to solve it, rereading constantly. I want to solve this more then you do...I'd guess. I have both alcohol and hand lotion on my work table. I will clean my hands with it before I work some times to remove oils. It dries out my hands so that's why the lotion is there too. I can't think of anything alcohol doesn't work on. There are usually better products to get specific jobs done but it's so convenient. One last thing, have you ever gone to Ganoskin. It's website for metalsmiths. There's some really famous jewelers that hang out there. |
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Post by nicker on Feb 13, 2014 10:26:31 GMT -6
What kind of torch are you using sounds like it's not clean or not hot enough.
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Post by galadryl on Feb 14, 2014 4:56:57 GMT -6
I used to solder with a max flame and it worked fine now I am using a big torch (no name, used with either butan or propane) and ....   Kevin, I have heard of them but was not registered. You made be curious, I will take a look at their website. Thank you. My hubby just went off for his skiing holidays which means I got the cellar to myself and can do lots of torching and hammering. We share the same room (his office and my work space). |
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Post by nicker on Feb 15, 2014 9:37:11 GMT -6
Is it straight gas no oxy? I think you'll find it's not hot enough. I had the same problem when trying to use my whale torch.
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Post by galadryl on Feb 16, 2014 4:05:00 GMT -6
Hm.....but it did work with my small max flame micro torch, which has got no oxygen either. I really hope that is not the reason. I will try with alcohol today (to clean the copper) *knock on wood. BTW, Kevin, I am really disappointed with bur life. Got it for a week or so now and it does make sawing sooooo much easier but now it starts to crumble apart, what a mess and getting it in a crummy state on to the saw blades is even messier. May I got a bad batch, but since I have to "import" it from the States it is even more annoying. |
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Post by galadryl on Feb 16, 2014 16:27:25 GMT -6
Today I soldered some copper wooohooo I made some 2 mm thick copper jump rings and one 3 mm copper bangle. All cut using bur life and some old copper solder I had stashed away in my treasure box. This doesn't solve why the other bangles did not solder but at least my torch is hot enough. I am very relieved |
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Post by rocknwow on Feb 17, 2014 8:05:41 GMT -6
Yep, you got a bad batch. It shouldn't crumble. Call Rio, explain the problem and they might just send some to you without a return.
I wish there was a way to figure out what the problem was to begin with.
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Post by galadryl on Feb 17, 2014 9:55:04 GMT -6
I don't think they would do it since the bur life is about $5 and the shipping to me at least $17. At least I know now that it "normally" is not that crummy I will have another go at the bangles later on again since I still have got those 35 un-soldered bangles screaming for me  |
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)
but I am afraid it is 96% alcohol.
