Help with soldering sterling silver to SS

[Rudy]

I need to do some soldering. Sterling on stainless steel. Does anybody have some advice, ie: type of solder that should be used, and any process necessary before doing the actual soldering. hmmmmmmmm

[swamper]

If it can be done it's news to me. When I was a sheetmetal apprentice I saw someone "weld" aluminum to galvanized steel but it was just a hoax. Good luck with SS and SS.

[Mark Parkinson]

I work as a blacksmith and can tell you that you are trying the impossable the only way to join the two would be a mechanical means ...rivet, jump ring etc. Stainless steel is used as a bench surface exactly for this reason spilled solder will not stick to it.

[Rudy]

Thanks you guys! I'll pass it on to my husband and I'll give him a box of tissues cause I know he'll be bummed!! LOL

Bummer man!

[mandrakearts]

You can solder silver to stainless, you use hard silver solder with white paste flux....
in fact "handy flux" makes a type b-1 flux specifically for soldering nickel to stainless which could also be used for sterling....
but regular handy flux or any other borax pasted paste flux would work just as good....

[mandrakearts]

here's a link to a jewelry forum about it
http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/archive/200709/msg00191.htm

[Mark Parkinson]

Yes you can indeed make it stick using silver solder ... for a few days or maybe a little longer but it will eventuly fail every time ... it will give at the solder line conecting it to the stainless the back of the solder when examined after the break is very smooth, showing no signs that it 'keyed' into the stainless at all ... I have tried several times to made this work and all failed testing for joint strengh ... if the piece you are making is not wearable jewerly and not subject to any stress you can try it but it will not be a good joint.

If this was a viable mixture of metals I believe we would be seeing it on the market all over the place eg: having stainless steel ear posts on silver earrings for the people with alergies instead of having to use the very expensive alternatives.

[swamper]

Rudy, I have had success using stained glass copper foil on two dissimilar surfaces and then soldering them together with non or low lead solder. If the joint configuration is just right it can be a strong enough joint for jewelry. It helps if the foil is actually wrapped around an edge rather than just on a flat surface.

[kittyluv4ever]

Ok I know absolutely nothing about soldering metals, truly wish I did as it would make life so much easier. But there is someone on here who does, I would contact Mary McDuck as she is a fabulous metal artist and if I am not mistaken, someone please correct me if I am, her sterling silver bead rings have a stainless steel barbell for lack of a better word attached to them to put beads on. You can see her work here http://www.mcduckcreations.com take a look at the SS Findings under rings to see what I am talking about.

[Rudy]

We are really appreciating the feedback...we are going to try ALL OF THE ABOVE. If we come up with something that works, we'll share the wealth in this forum!

If anyone else has any ideas, feel free to pipe in!
Thanks again!

[mandrakearts]

knife makers solder nonferrous guards onto blades with staybright solder... its 4% silver
http://www.knifeforums.com/forums/showtopic.php?tid/770679/post/new/
http://www.southriverknifeworks.com/page5a.html

dont know if it helps....

[MichalAnn]

About a month ago I asked the exact same question on the yahoo silversmithing forum. groups.yahoo.com/group/Silversmithing/?yguid=335057670

There were several smart*ss answers that essentially told me I was really stupid to even ask the question and a number of answers from people outside of the "jewelry" trade who said that it indeed can be done. They said to use specialty low-melting point (400) solder and flux made for stainless steel purchased at a welding store with very knowledgeable people and a deep inventory. I haven't been able to get to one of those stores as I live far far into rural Wisconsin.

Please let us know if you have good results with any of the suggestions. I still want to solder stainless cable to a silver bead-type thing.

[Rudy]

Hi MichalAnn,

Thanks for the reply. We are going to check this out. I will definitely let you know how it works out! : - )))) Cross your fingers!