Q&A for How to Solder Silver

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Could this be done to repurpose cheap jewelry as well?

Community Answer

Probably not. Cheap jewelry may contain undesirable metals that would contaminate solder.

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Question

Can I solder a wire that broke on my dryer heating unit?

Community Answer

Yes, but I wouldn't use silver solder or a torch. Electrical wiring should be soldered using low lead solder and an electric soldering iron or gun.

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Question

Recently I purchased a silver soldered tea server from Wallace that reads 0600 silver, soldered, 12 oz. Is the item safe for serving hot water to make tea?

Community Answer

Yes. Silver Solder melts at around 750°C. Water only goes up to 100°C, so there is no way it will melt the solder.

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Question

Can steel be silver soldered together?

Community Answer

Silver and steel are different materials, and they differ in physical properties, so they cannot be soldered together.

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Question

Can silver-plated items be soldered? I have an Oneida silver-plated cup with a "spoon handle." The handle is completely off the cup at the top, and is cracked at the bottom.

Community Answer

Not really. The silver plate is on top of either brass or copper, and the heat required to solder will bring the base metal to the surface and it won’t be very pretty.

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Question

Why do I put it into water?

Community Answer

This is so you cool the silver down after it's heated with the torch. Setting it in water is an optional step, however it is recommended (after some air drying) so as to speed up the cooling process to allow you to continue your work sooner.

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Question

What are the different grades of silver solder?

Community Answer

Different grades of silver solder contain different amounts of silver and melt at different temperatures. Beginning with lowest to highest melting temperature, they are categorized as extra easy, easy, medium, and hard solder.

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Question

Could I use a baking soda and vinegar solution instead of a pickle solution for this?

Community Answer

For a homemade pickle solution for your jewelry, use 2 cups heated white vinegar and a couple of spoons of salt. It's cheap, works very well, and it's safe! (Note: Be sure to neutralize it with baking soda before pouring it down the drain when you're finished with it.)

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Question

Where can I buy silver solder, flux, and pickling solution? Are they very expensive?

Community Answer

You can save some money by making your pickle and flux. 1) To make the pickle, use 1 or 2 cups undiluted white vinegar warmed with a couple spoons of salt. It's amazing, cheap and safe! I use it for all my silver and copper but each in separate containers so the copper doesn't leech onto the silver. 2) To make flux, you can buy a product called "20 Mule Team Borax" in the laundry detergent aisle for less than $5. It's the same as the cone but it's granulated. Put into a container, dissolve in Boiling Water to make a paste.

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