Don't Always Believe What You Read! - Why You Should Be Sweat Soldering

Don't always believe what you read in jewellery making books. They can make your life difficult.
Sweat soldering soldering is one of the best techniques to learn. Once you have understood the reasons why, you will never go back.
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Andrew shows you many hints and tips that he has gained from his experience as a professional goldsmith.
Andrew Berry, a professional jeweller for 30 years, is the training director of www.AtTheBench.com, an award winning on line jewellery training website.

[@djreag8614]

ANDREW IS "THE " BEST TEACHER YOU WILL EVER FIND ...THE MAN KNOWS HIS CRAFT AND GIVES VERY PRECISE DETAILS

[@habosbabis9983]

I totally agree

[@michaelduley5311]

You are teaching some of the most valuable techniques for time-saving and product quality. Please keep them coming as they are so very helpful. Thank you.

[@leslyoliver3562]

thank you for removing some of the mystery of soldering, I've just spent $80 on e books and downloaded videos that are terrible quality and can't see whats actually going on in them. You are creating a fabulous resource for budding metalsmiths. Thank you. Looking forward to subscribing to your other online resources

[@ikoniq8393]

There's no teacher like a teacher who is passionate about teaching. Andrew is absolutely the best you'll find on KZbin! ❤️

[@petericeman100]

Learning to solder was the most frustrating thing I have ever done, hands down. Having said that, once I got a handle on it I found how rewarding it is.

[@petericeman100]

Getting the metal hot enough for the solder to flow is the trick to it.

[@whywouldicare8618]

Man I just wanna let you know I appreciate everything you do to help us learn about jewelry making best teacher on KZbin💯💯💯💯

[@allanthompson9695]

I Learn something new every time I watch even the same video. Thank you Andrew for sharing your skills and knowledge.

[@tammygurl64]

Thanks! I finally used solder for the very first time. I soldered 2 copper rings from 10ga wire and now I need to attempt sweat soldering so I can wrap a few coils on each of them. It would be so much easier if it would just fuze!😄 LOL! Thanks for the video assistance! 🙂

[@toyva007]

Thank you Andrew! Now I've finally learned WHY we sweat solder at school when soldering smaller decorations onto larger pieces and use the 1st method only when we cut that metal off after soldering. Just amazing, never occurred to me!

[@vincenttanudjaya7397]

i really appreciate what you sharing here. Not many people would do that sir!!! Salute...

[@silenttraveler2710]

Awesome Teacher, Brilliantly done...

[@marriedredpill8301]

Good job on the instructions, very well spoken.

[@mekisjewel]

I'm very happy that you confirm in this video the technique I arrived on my own by try and error.

[@embexstudio]

Brilliant video. Thank you. for explaining it so well.

[@nilo70]

Thank you Mr. Berry , for helping all of us learn how to do this properly !

[@indysmith4437]

Great tutorial, thank you Andrew.

[@aliceleiteflores3695]

Great tips!!! Thank you for the generosity!!

[@LeeOfBent]

Thanks Andrew! Great demo with soldering for myself, a beginner jeweler. Really appreciate you sharing this technique.

[@ShapingSilver]

Thank you Andrew! This is one of the most usefull videos I have seen in a long time. BR. Oliver

[@spunkmuffin11]

Great tip as usual. Thank you!

[@RobertJohnson-mq6fl]

As always another valuable lesson from a master jeweler. Thanks

[@guillermogutierrez8375]

Thank you Andrew great video with clear explanation!

[@Zeenyteenyweeny]

Thank you Andrew. I’ve been tinkering making jewellery for a couple of years but have never soldered before. Im about to embark in my first soldering exercise and I’m so glad I found your training videos before I even start to have a go. I can see me enrolling onto your course before long. Thanks again!

[@brookehefley7136]

I just started this week. How are you doing so far? Great, I hope!

[@josefalins9526]

Thank you Andrew, you are the best!

[@mountainlion4853]

Its like buttering your bread before sandwiching cheese in the centre before you grill it :)

[@lulupan7612]

Totally enlightening lesson Andrew, I love your style, and the neatness of results and of your advice! I have now been a metalworker for 23 years, and I am now in the process of scaling down the size of my works of art, so I need to refine the finishing level accordingly. Well nothing else Is helping me on this task as much as your videos, including professional instruction books and all. Keep It coming please!😊 All the best, thank you for all the precious advice x

[@mohammadrezashokouhi4006]

Very important advise, Thank you so much.

[@richardseverson4992]

Excellent just what I needed

[@shanerimon]

Thanks for video have tried works great saves a lot of time.

[@VikingRaider]

Thank You Mr.Berry!!!

[@AllFiredUpGlassBeads]

That was great information!

[@ahmedashour9092]

thanks for your information

[@corystreat8037]

Very Very informative and thank you!!!! Cory

[@ryangateryh4724]

It is just Brilliant.

[@juliadezzuto8734]

Thank you Berry, as always very smart tips and insightful info. :)

[@mary-annkieckhaben5026]

Super techniques thank you so much

[@mary-annkieckhaben5026]

i have doing your techniques is so supper thank you for shering.

[@tjmellonslap]

This is great sir. Cleared up a solder problem on a jewelry piece I am attempting thank you !

[@taunteratwill1787]

Yep tin at least one part of the two before soldering, great problem. :-)))))

[@rikujkoivisto]

Hi! You are brilliant, thank you..! Bless you.. 😊💓

[@Ramakantmumbai]

Very nice method...

[@geewizz3335]

excellent explanation thankyu

[@mawi1172]

Still learning from you, Andrew! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@victoriakaneshiro7385]

The piece looks so much better with the sweat solder method. Would you show us multiple soldering bezels onto one piece? Cheers!

[@ma1900bi1900]

Thank you good tips

[@kostaskarapanos56]

excellent technique

[@Wishingwell688]

OMG, what a wonderful video! 🎉. Thank you!

[@Atthebench]

You are so welcome!

[@amymckinney2011]

Could u do a video on soldering multiple bezels (like 2 or 3 stones) to a ring band or onto a cuff? Like for birthstones that are flat back cabachons.

[@jeannettesalazar6442]

Yes he is the best teacher.😢😮😊❤

[@Bloated_Tony_Danza]

Wow I just realized how much difficulty I had when I first started soldering. Now that I have no problems with it, I kinda forgot about it

[@djyul]

Nice job! I am a coded welder,i also have a lot of experience with hard soldering,i have also been coded silver soldering copper joints,it was x-rayed after and if it hadnt flowed to all parts,FAIL! Bit at the same time if you got it too hot,it would run out. I subbed and rang the bell!

[@gkelley2383]

Love the video ! You explain everything so simply. I am totally self taught ( I've taken a few small classes) and soldering was insanely frustrating until I learned that it's the heat of the metal that makes the solder flow not your torch. Once I knew that it all came together for me. I am excited to try the "sweat" technique .. I really like to keep my finish work as minimal as possible. Have you ever used Argentium Silver ? If you have I'm curious as to your thoughts on it. Thanks for the great videos ! I've learned a lot .. gina

[@ma1900bi1900]

Ihre Technik ist so cool ich habe es mit Zinn gemacht echt klasse Danke

[@hustonbeene2396]

I would love to see a lesson on torch temperatures and tip uses of the micro torch.

[@Poznog]

Me too!

[@ma1900bi1900]

Super thank you

[@claraluna6799]

hello, Wonderful way to explain. I would like to know how I can weld and how I can clean a similar project, that is to say on a plate to weld some rings or chains.

[@ma1900bi1900]

Thank you

[@wormemc]

Great video

[@allanconnor1013]

Very clear demo, I love how soldering excites you. I have an idea for a three dimensional pendant where I would sweat multiple layers of silver of decreasing dimensions on top of each other. Do I start by using hard solder on top layer and going softer as I get to lower layers? Other than binding wire what's the best way to stop component pieces moving when flux bubbles or solder melts. Best wishes from Canada during your lockdown.

[@ma1900bi1900]

Ihre Technik ist so cool danke ich habe viel gelernt.

[@shirleymason7697]

Soldering two pieces together with solder in between might allow melting, (partially) one piece, unless a grid tower is used and moving flame on top then underneath, back on top, back under, etc, trying to keep on both sides fairly consistently hot. I rarely use a tower stand, but those around me use them frequently.

[@westcoastcarver4328]

I’m subscribed

[@janellypalacios8041]

Great video! This is how my high school art teacher taught me to sweat solder.

[@jamessalisbury3320]

I’ve watched a lot of teachers on KZbin and to be honest, no one explains it better than this man. Ive learnt a bit on KZbin, but not as much as I wanted. He the best. I’ve learnt quite a lot. Self trained with help from Andrew berry training tips from KZbin

[@shirleymason7697]

I wonder whether it would be an improvement to flame from underneath with piece on a tower grid. By concentrating the flame directly on the central spot, after overall warming up, might solder be confined to the direct middle more than spreading even a little to outside?

[@marthalyttonvantrees1119]

Thanks! Do you have a video detailing sweat soldering, for instance a bezel to a large piece (like a cuff bracelet)? Also, how about one on soldering bezels to a curved surface (again, like a cuff bracelet)?

[@TN-Ann]

Thank you so much for all your videos. I am a hobbyist and have watched every smithing video you have ever done. You've been both an inspiration and a teacher. I would love advice on soldering rose gold filled items, specifically jump rings. My daughter loves rose gold, and GF is in our price range. Every time I end up with either solder flashing to the ring (too much solder) or not enough and the joint doesn't close. Being GF I'm afraid to do too much clean up.

[@Ragamuffinblue]

Yes I would like to know that too

[@texasgigi3684]

Mr. Barry, I have learned so much from your KZbin videos. Thanks so much for making this one. Have you ever done “flood soldering”? At least, I think that’s what it’s called. You heat up a pool of solder, then place the piece that you want to appliqué, in the liquid solder, heat the piece up, then place your appliqué on a piece of metal-like silver or copper. You heat the appliqué on the piece of metal and it’s supposed to attach, without leaving any solder shadows. It seems to me that this technique wastes a lot of solder and is much harder to perform successfully. What is your opinion?

[@anthonyespinosa7894]

Mr Berry, I have learned so much from watching your program. Thank you so much. I want to transition to a paste/borax flux, but it’s not very popular and they usually talk me out of it for the more popular liquid flux. Im new to jewelry but my control of the liquid is harder to control in small areas. Do you use a certain brand of borax? And what are your thoughts. Thank you sir. Keep teaching me!!!

[@friscokid9573]

I use Borax for smithing (forge welding). Can I use it too as flux? If yes, my borax is a dry powder. What liquid can I use to get it into solution? You way to show and explain things, is great. Though I never soldered I can undeerstand any aspect of your lesson.

[@flyingcheff]

Should we be asking questions? Hoping for answers? I don't want to bug you. Could you have used half or even less solder to make it even more cleanly joined? Would it be strong enough? Thanks, Andrew, as always so very well done- your teaching is superlative!

[@addictedtotreasuretrash108]

Hej. Great Job. Do you have a link to where you buy your silver / copper solder please ? I have many ideas but i just need the solder. Thanx

[@johnnynephrite6147]

You seemed to struggle with what flux is for. Its what helps the metal flow by providing a flow medium and also by lowering the melting temperature of the solder.

[@deborahthomas1152]

Thank you. I had the same problem and thought it was just me.

[@18IMAMGODINA]

I would like to ask a question about copper if someone here is familiar with it. My hobby is blacksmithing and currently I am working on a tanto knife , a tanto knife has a piece like a collar of a knife called habaki which is made out of copper, bronze or brass and I need to weld it on one side , is it possible to weld it with heat only , I do have borax but none of the fency tool for soldering copper, thanks in advance!

[@douglasrandall6737]

This is true but in sweat soldering you cannot always get the piece to stay where it is supposed to stay because of the Sauter moving when it melts.

[@whywouldicare8618]

That was a nice tip/solder looks a lot better then the first way one question would pickling work to get of borax after melting In a crucible or just sand it 🤔

[@Atthebench]

Pickle will get rid of borax

[@marybryan5879]

To clean silver prior to soldering, you’ve used sand paper- is putting it in the pickle another option for cleaning it?

[@EmperorBosho]

Hii Berry, I was just wondering okay?? I got this school project of making a maquis collet and I'm supposed to solder a wire onto the collect. So I was wondering if it's possible to use the sweat soldering method for it?

[@swampfox946]

That's a better mousetrap! Any way to keep the smaller piece from moving during the process?

[@105kline]

What acid are you using to clean up the flux?

[@algerc.5492]

Outstanding, why this technique is never revealed is a mystery, once discovered years ago became my go-to method. Soldering is the make or break technique you must master, without it forget it. Cleaning up solder shadows is a waste of time & talent and detracts from finished piece. Well done

[@TruthSayer5589]

With second process, with each successive soldering does it take more heat, I.e., does easy become medium, medium become hard, etc.? This would be important to know for more complex soldering jobs.

[@CannonCornelia]

Hi Andrew, how big of a piece can be sweat soldered? Can I sweat solder twisted wire areound the outside of a bezel? What is the best method to accomplish this? Thank you very much 😊

[@TheMboe76]

which type/brand of solder do you use?

[@Cooperman8328]

What type of acid do you clean it with?

[@jerysmithe9522]

Hi Andrew, love your videos :) i was wondering. why a small silver rose wont solder to a cuff bracelet. ive done everything plus bought a large propain blower, but as soon as i put it in the water the rose falls off. and i go back clean again. do u think its the Easy solder im using thats causing the problem?

[@texasgigi3684]

Yes, I would like to hear your answer on this, as well!

[@Galactic_Empire_Ruler]

Did you use “easy” solder for this presentation? Also, on the second presentation where you did the sweat solder method, did you place the solder side, face down or up?

[@davesmall1270]

I just thought of a question, good or bad I still have to ask it. Why couldn't you out the solder between the wire and the disk and have it flow properly?

[@PaulHirsh]

With sweat soldering why do you need to put the small piece in the pickle if you are then going to buff it with emery board?

[@vestamitchell3214]

Where could I purchase the buff stick please? What is the exact name? Link where to buy would be very much appreciated. Thank you :) great videos by the way.

[@Atthebench]

Make your own? kzbin.info/www/bejne/q6Wpl42IlN2tZ7s

[@naliahmad7748]

👍

[@lourias]

Question: Would there be an appropriate time to place the solder in between the two pieces? In essence, making a complete solder sandwich like below? Small piece Flux Solder Flux Large piece

[@garethbaus5471]

You can stack it like that while cold as long as you have decent torch technique, that is actually how I solder the bolsters on slip joint knives.

[@shaunrogers2267]

I do overlay work. Can this technique work on bigger projects.

[@taunteratwill1787]

Yep, just need a bigger heat source. :-))

[@terrapin1967]

Sweat soldering scares the crap out of me. Just starting the torch makes me shake. I can do it, it’s just that it gives me the shakes.

[@gsoue3425]

where can i buy semmie pressious stones from that has not been touched so i am buying at the first stage so i can have ago at tumbling

[@shirleymason7697]

What is the cord wrapped around your wrist? Doesn’t look like jewelry.

[@albertpartridge2194]

hiya Andrew good one again, what please is the best way to stop the solder moving about when you are making a bezel setting, that is keeping the solder against the bezel wire when attaching it to the backing plate? can i ask again please is it better to work under a daylight bulb or stick to the ordinary tungsten type

[@jaykay415]

I find that the choice of flux is super important. One type I use somehow does not seem to allow the solder pallions to move, so where I put it is where it stays! Jel-flux, I believe it's called.

[@JayDial]

Flux the joint, heat it, let the flux dry and it should create a temporary hold. Then apply your solder bits with a hot titanium pick. If that still gives ya trouble, try solder paste.

[@shirleymason7697]

What I wonder now, different topic, could this piece, after annealing, be bent into a round ring-like shape?

[@garethbaus5471]

Are you thinking of making a ring from 2 disimalar metals, perhaps a copper core with a silver outside? It certainly seems like it should work as long as you use thin enough peices of material, and get a nearly perfect joint (ideally the same thickness for both layers to minimize stress on the joint)

[@d00dl3SEd]

Or you could put solder in between them and then solder

[@oreolovesyou95]

Hello Andrew! If the the backplate i'm soldering to has texture, do i still need to sand it? Could I, for example, throw it in a pickle to clean instead?

[@Atthebench]

Yes. You can pickle it as long as you thoroughly rinse it afterwards