What is the best torch for jewelry making?
A butane torch is a good choice for soldering delicate earrings, jump rings, and small links. It has a flame that burns at 2,500º F (1,371º C) for 35 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the size and model. All have a refillable butane canister, and most have an adjustor level to regulate flame size.
What gas do jewelers use?
Fuel Gases Heating jewelry pieces during soldering is done with torches, which mix either oxygen or air with a gas. Hydrogen, natural gas, acetylene, propane, and butane are the fuel gases most commonly used.
What kind of torch is used for silver soldering?
An ordinary household propane or butane torch will work, but even better is one of the new torches that burn MAPP gas. Most hardware stores have them. They burn much hotter than ordinary torches, which makes silver soldering go faster and easier.
What kind of torch will melt gold?
Because gold has a moderately low melting point for a metal, it can be melted with a standard propane torch. Once melted, gold can be poured into molds to harden or pounded with a mallet into thin strips.
What temperature does 925 silver melt at?
890°C
What is the melting point of silver?
| Types of Silver | Melting Point |
|---|---|
| 925 Sterling Silver | 890°C |
| Britannia Silver | 940°C |
| 999 Fine Silver | 961°C |
What is the difference between a butane torch and a propane torch?
Heat Difference Butane can reach maximum temperatures of around 2,400 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a useful temperature for most welding projects, however, propane torches can go much higher. The maximum temperature that propane torches can jump to is around 3,600 degrees Fahrenheit.
Can I use a propane torch to melt gold?
Many people like to melt it down and make their own golden creations. Because gold has a moderately low melting point for a metal, it can be melted with a standard propane torch. Once melted, gold can be poured into molds to harden or pounded with a mallet into thin strips.
What is borax used for in jewelry?
Borax helps jewelers clean, coat, and protect the piece of metal they are working with. Using this white, powdery substance, jewelry makers solder gold and silver metal pieces of jewelry so that they can prevent the risk of metal oxidation and fire stains.
How do you melt sterling silver to make jewelry?
Place the metal into a ceramic crucible and begin heating it with your torch to melt it. Add a small amount of borax as it heats and starts to melt to prevent it from oxidizing. Carefully swirl the crucible as the metal begins to melt until it’s completely liquified. A finished silver piece by Allen McGhee.