Solder guide

Silver solder grades with melt and flow points, how to step down through grades on multi-joint work, and plumb versus repair gold solder.

Silver solder grades

Solder melts at the melt point and runs into the joint at the flow point. Higher silver content means higher temperatures.

Typical figures that several solder makers agree on. Hard, medium and easy are not standardized temperatures, so check the maker's figures for the solder in hand.

Step down on multi-joint work

Use hard solder for the first joints, medium for the next and easy for the last. Each later solder flows below the temperature that would re-melt the joints already made. Save extra easy and paste solders for final repairs and findings.

Plumb or repair gold solder

Plumb solder contains the full gold content of its karat, so 14K plumb is at least 58.3% gold. Use it on new work that will be stamped for karat. Repair solder has less gold and flows lower, so it doesn't disturb existing joints or stones during repairs.

Flux and a clean joint

Solder only flows on clean, tight-fitting joints. Remove oil and oxide, flux the joint, and heat the whole piece so solder flows toward the heat. Pickle after soldering to remove flux and oxides.

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