Solder trouble-- is it my torch?

[FoxandRavenJewelry]

I have been having a horrible time trying to solder a join on a bangle. I have cleaned, fitted, recleaned, filed & sanded to refit-- it's a nice tight fit. I'm using Batten flux & a small butane torch, tried adding a second (hard to manipulate), tried it on firebrick, charcoal block, and wire mesh, up to 6 times now & the solder melts but it won't flow into the join. Each time it's fail, into the pickle, brush and clean, test fit, reflux, and repeat. I am going nuts with this-- it should be so simple.

I am getting an acetylene torch for christmas (yay!), but only have the butane now. I did do a similar bracelet without trouble a couple weeks ago, though, so I really don't know if that could be it. Does anyone have any ideas what might be hanging me up?

[khmetalwork]

I think you're burning up your flux.

ditch the batterns - you can make flux with borax (from the grocery store) and denatured alcohol. coat with the flux, crank up your torch - you want to be quick but not careless. I've never worked with a butane torch other than in the kitchen, if possible - no pointy flames - between pointy (hot) and bushy (cool'er).

Did you say - copper or silver ...hmmm don't see it. If silver, you want to heat the entire bangle - silver is an excellent heat conductor so while you're heating <---- here, the heat is moving ---> there. Once the whole piece gets hot (not red, just hot), the flux has stopped boiling, time to move the heat to the join.

I usually use my pick to place solder, but a good /easy way to solder a ring or bangle is to put the solder chip under the join and aim your flame just in front of the piece, bouncing the heat from the surface onto the bangle. Once the solder melts the pieces will sit down on the surface.

http://etsymetal.blogspot.com/2009/05/intro-to-using-boric-acid-flux.html

[FoxandRavenJewelry]

Thanks-- yes, it's silver. I have been heating the whole piece, & the solder does melt, just won't flow into the join. I'll get some borax & try that-- maybe that will do the trick. The flame won't go up much-- that part may need to wait for the big torch.

[khmetalwork]

so hard to troubleshoot without pictures - I would try the borax flux, and cranking the torch up. if you have a charcoal block, that may help. Wish I could see what's happening....

[JonEicher]

It is hard to add much to kh's good advice. It sounds to me that the base metal is not as hot as it should be for a correct bond. Your torch might not be able to heat the base metal fully. If different thickness are involved it makes it harder to get it just right to bond correctly too. If the metals are hot enough the silver will melt right away into the joint.

In my experience doing silver soldering (from a welders perspective as I do not make jewelry) the temperature only has to be off a few degrees for the joint to not bond correctly.

The only other thing is the flux? and cleanliness of the joint but it sounds like that is good.

I hope that helps.