Soldering Gold-Filled using a barrier flux

One of the biggest issues we run into when soldering gold-filled material is creating a red-oxide fire-scale that cannot be removed through the normal pickling/cleaning process. Instead, the red layer must be sanded + polished away. This creates a new problem though as the thin layer of gold can be removed in this process, leaving behind the brass core which ultimately oxidizes.
By using a simple solution of 50/50 boric acid + denatured alcohol as a barrier flux, we can prevent some of the fire-scale from occurring in the first place.
Please be sure to create + follow a safety plan whenever you are soldering. This includes: wearing protective clothing + eyewear, working on a fire-proof surface + in an appropriate, low-risk area (not many flammable items nearby), + always have a fire extinguisher on hand.
Materials used: 18 gauge round gold-filled wire, hard "yellow-silver" solder chips
Tools used: Jumbo butane torch, butane, soldering block, charcoal blocks, utility tweezers, tungsten solder pick, yellow flux (this is the flow-flux), barrier flux (50/50 mix of boric acid + denatured alcohol), quenching vessel + water, pickle + pickle pot, copper tongs (for pickle pot).

[@lucisue53]

Nice video. The close-up view starting at 6:00 makes it so much easier to see. Thanks!

[@randahernandez2748]

Thank you so much for this helpful video! I have been searching for months for this - and your video was exactly what I was looking for ! Straight forward no fluff - love it. Please keep them coming as I am a total newbie to the art of metal work. You’ve earned a loyal subscriber

[@miaosai]

I thanks for this video!! I’m in a metalsmith class for jewelry now, and was wondering how gold filled worked. I wish you could have zoomed in on the placement of the solder, but I think I got the concept…

[@pastoracahow5543]

Thank you this is a great video! Never heard of yellow-silver, I'll have to google that! 😊

[@arareyes4356]

thank you so much!!!!! If my business boomed it's because of your video!!!

[@MijiSong_hephzibahmusic]

Thank you so much for the video, what's the name of the yellow flow solder?? Where can I get it?

[@louizaelmecheri6790]

Thank you for this video 🙏🏼 I have an enquiry. The jump rings that I have bought are 24kt gold filled brass. Would this same process work? Looking forward to your reply. Many thanks 🙏🏼

[@claraandriessen8423]

Thanks! It's a clear tutorial! Is the 'hard 'variety of the yellow silver solder the best for this job?

[@ClaireSChoi]

Awesome video! It is very very helpful! I really hope you will upload your hammering work you showed end of it!

[@elianehuonder1467]

Thank you for that great video. I will try it soon. I still have some troubles with soldeirng gold filled. Do you have any other tips working with gold filled?

[@rum_xo8398]

you make it look so easyy could you show us how to close jumprings with necklace attached .. also using a yellow brass gold filled solder paste please

[@cdilla2959]

I’m seeing an orangey hue near the solder joint after it’s oxidized for about a day or so. I’ve been using the lowest heat possible before the solder melts, using boric acid with denatured alcohol and a high quality flux from rio grande. I can’t figure out why this keep happening. I can’t figure out if I’m over polishing? I can wipe off the orange hue but then it reappears soon after.

[@jhondoeiiiy8193]

New comer at soldering. I've been video benching on soldering. I need to solder a sterling silver-fill jump ring. Not sure if I can use your same method with the gold-fill. Please advise. Thanks in advance. P.S, I just subscribed to your channel

[@claudiamarina8079]

Hi, thank you for the video. If the piece gets red how can I fix It?❤️

[@turtlebayjewelry]

If you've turned it red, you've brought the brass core to the surface and the only way out of that is to sand it, which then risks destroying your gold layer. The best way to work with GF is to cover the entire piece in the barrier flux, burn off the alcohol and then solder quick and hot. I use 14K gold solder.

[@sophielankhorst3575]

Hi, I want to make the barrier flux, but do you use denatured alcohol of 75%, 80% or 98%? I don’t want my tabel to catch fire, because I use the wrong percentage. Thankyou✨

[@turtlebayjewelry]

It won't matter; you burn off the alcohol with a quick touch of your torch prior to the actual soldering. Just make sure you have no open containers of it near your flame. :)

[@cafeconcanela8507]

Thanks, can you give me a brand of wire did you used? Please

[@coupangkok]

I have my steady seller bracelet and stressed out if the jump ring that attaching charm will come off. Please let me know. I saw it’s 50\50 ratio of two things. So it’s homemade?

[@cherylcasegal]

What kind of chips are you using for the solder?

[@katiekremer9674]

This video is great- thank you so much!

[@beefjacky]

I have tiny excessive solder on the thin ring I made. How do I remove? Is it ok to use file? Thank you!

[@orlymenachem4472]

Hi, do you offer any classes? Also where do you suggest to get the materials?

[@deannada45]

Do you sell them like this?

[@dafuq6366]

Hi, do the solder tarnish or change colour?

[@turtlebayjewelry]

Use 14K gold solder. Less problems with tarnish.

[@coupangkok]

Did you make the barrier flux? Can’t find at any shop.

[@turtlebayjewelry]

You can make it at home. It's a 50/50 mix of denatured alcohol and dry boric acid granules.