More on soldering

I had a comment in yesterdays post about "what is flux". The comment asked if the flux is what you melt onto the metal. I think what they mean is the solder. There is solder that looks like bear wire then there is flux which is a gooey looking substance that is used to clean the metal before the joining of the metals. Many solders have flux in them trying to eliminate the need of the extra step, but believe me, with jewelry repair you need to always use the flux! Even if there is flux in your solder! The reason is the need for the less amont of heat possible. Most soldering is done completely different. It is about heating the metal parts to a temperature so hot that just touching the solder to the metal will melt it without the need of the gun melting it. Actually, you use the gun or a torch to accomplish heating up the metal parts to that extreme temperature. With jewelry the trick is quick and short timed heat. You want to heat it quick and as little as possible and still make it stick. The flux is to clean the metal but more or less acts like a glue as well. It allows the soldr to flow quicker and then hold stronger. When you shop for the flux and solder you want rosin core 60/40 solder in the smallest gauge, or skinniest looking wire. And the flux can come in a liquid or a paste. Both are good but I find the paste the easiest to clean up afterwards.