[TheForge] daascus ring making--a how to question

[James Binnion]

Justin,

You can silver solder a silver, gold or stainless sleeve into the 
ring but it is easier to press fit the sleeve into the ring and give 
it a slight flare on the edges with a dapping punch or other ball 
shaped tool. This will lock it in place without the need for solder. 
Since you cannot solder to titanium that one must be press fit. 
Silver soldering for jewelry is most often done by cutting small 
pieces of solder and placing them on the fluxed joint then heating 
the whole item to the flow temp for the solder. If you plan on silver 
soldering stainless you will need a special flux to deal with the 
chrome oxides it is called black flux this is also a good one to use 
to solder the liner to the damascus band and your welding supplier 
should have it.  As for etching I would etch first and then press fit 
the sleeve in. If you are going to solder the sleeve in place then 
solder first and then clean up excess solder then etch. If you use 
nitric as the etch you will need to protect silver if you use it for 
the sleeve as nitric will attack it.
-- 
Jim Binnion

James Binnion Metal Arts
Phone (360) 756-6550
Toll Free (877) 408 7287
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jbin at mokume-gane.com
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