what cool thing do you do with leftover solder

[smokeskrene4207]

I save all my solder that drips off whenever I make or modify my stills or sweat pipes(not to often) and I have a film case filled to the top with 99.7 silver solder. I don't want to reuse this solder on copper or make easy flanges either. I'm trying to figure out if I can make jewellery out of it since most silver jewellery is 99.5 silver. I'd really like to make my wife something. Like a heart pendant or ring. I have a jagged uncut green and yellow opal piece that's small enough to be incorporated into a pendant if I can figure out how. If you don't make jewellery out of it what do you do? I'm interested in how people recycle solder. I'm sure a lot of you reuse it for future endevers. I'm sure there are people like me on this site that save solder to do things with but don't have a clue where to go past saving those drips. Just looking for unique ways to use solder.

[bearriver]

I throw scrap solder away. After some practice you'll learn to not apply too much solder at the joint.

Solder doesn't come in pure silver as far as I am aware. Even high silver content brazing rod is only around %56 silver.

You can get pure silver rods but they aren't for soldering copper.

[smokeskrene4207]

The solder I'm using is labeled as 99.7 silver.03 tin.

[bearriver]

The solder I'm using is labeled as 99.7 silver.03 tin.

What brand?

[smokeskrene4207]

Its oaty and looking more closely I was wrong. It says silver bearing so your probably right.

[bearriver]

Its oaty and looking more closely I was wrong. It says silver bearing so your probably right.

Bearing solder isn't even close to pure silver, or worth scrapping.

[smokeskrene4207]

Yeah I get that I'll probably just make a jig out of wood for stick weight for salmon wishing. I'm not a big waste guy. If it can be used for something I try to keep it lol. That is until the wife starts to complain then in the garbage or scrap heap things go.( I'm no fool if she's not happy I'm miserable)

[Danespirit]

+ 1 Bear
There are a lot of homemade things you could use that scrap solder for, but jewelry ain't one of them.
If you want to make some jewelry for your wife, you should get some 925 sterling silver.
I made several rings and pendants out of 925S, by casting the raw silver into a mold.
Pretty amazing to create a unique piece...

[bearriver]

There is this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lost-wax_casting" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

If you are a messy sob, there might be enough solder to cast a chess set!

[smokeskrene4207]

Wow that's so cool bearriver. I think a chess set a little much but maybe I can find something to make a mold out of. Maybe custom wine stoppers? Or liquor pours with 1/4 copper as the spout.

[smokeskrene4207]

I'm really not that messy I've been saving for about a year now.

[HDNB]

i've been cutting/ polishing gemstones for a few years. there is a few places around town that offer gold/ silver smithing...next stop in the rabbit hole, i'd like to learn how to forge metal.

[smokeskrene4207]

HDBN look into building a paint can forge. Perfect for knives and runs on mapp tanks. Google it. My buddy made one and it worked great for a few times til it melted but that was because your supposed to use fireproof bricks and he didn't want to invest in them if it didn't work. Hes building one with the fireproof bricks because of how well it worked. Once you get used to it make a bigger one out of a barrel.

[Danespirit]

Well, a so called paincan forge can be used for melting aluminium.
Make a simple wasteoilburner as a heat source. Even a small one can deliver enough heat for that.
As for forging steel, you will be better off with a furnace. (which of course can be heated by a oilburner and blower system too).
I have made some knives forged with several layers (damascus)...it's a pretty hard job..but the result is awesome.

smokeskrene4207 if you got the option of building a furnace with bricks and concrete, it would give a advantage over the paintcan.
Paintcans tend to desintegrate very quick.

[WooTeck]

hope you all post what you make. now i have a shed i may look into this again when the wether turns around

[thatguy1313]

A cheap alternative to firebricks is to make your own refractory cement. 1 part perlite, 2 parts plaster of Paris and 2 parts sand. I've also added cement to some mixes but haven't seen much difference.
A better alternative to the paint can (usually made out of aluminum) is a small stainless steel trash can. I have a trash can forge heated with a venturi style propane burner that I use for forge welding Damascus steel (which I agree is a bitch of a process but well worth the effort). I've used that forge for about 4 years with no problems.

[bearriver]

I've posted this here before. I'll be damned if I don't finally get it built it this weekend.

I'll start a furnace for copper if it works out.

[thatguy1313]

Might just be me, bear, but I can't see the images.

[bearriver]

They are youtube clips. Are you on a non-flash supported device, like android?

Links: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHD10DjxM1g" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSoWxG30rb0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

[thatguy1313]

That's it. Can't use the computers at work. Don't really feel like working though So I'm perusing the forums on my phone. Thanks for the links.
Looks almost identical to my forge. I found adding perlite to the mix increases the insulating properties without dimensions the structural integrity of the cement. I also turn it on its side and use a venturi propane burner to heat it. This way works well for a foundry though.

[smokeskrene4207]

Wow that's cool bearriver if you get it together let me know how it runs. I'd love to smith knives.

[WooTeck]

they are awesome videos

found this one that may help with what to do next

[thatguy1313]

He does a soup can forge video that is really good. My forge is basically just a scaled up version of the one he does in that video.

[WooTeck]

anyone have an idea what temperatures the above foundry would hit? im interested in making a knife

[bearriver]

anyone have an idea what temperatures the above foundry would hit? im interested in making a knife

'

No, the crucible is steel. It would melt at high temps which are possible with high airflow.

EDIT: here is Rockchucker's forging thread that just got started. http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... =7&t=58540

High temp furnace:

[thatguy1313]

Woo, you'd need a ceramic crucible to melt steel for casting a knife. Not worth the time or effort. You need a forge and raw steel to make a knife. Easy steel to learn on is old files or leaf springs or coils from suspension systems. Forging doesn't involve melting the steel. Just heading and reforming. Course there's a lot more to making a good knife than that but I've made dozens of knives and never melted any steel ... on purpose

[frodo]

if you want to make a forge, i can help you out;

i am talking a for real forge not a play forge

here is a list of stuff you can scrounge up, you can get it free, I did.

2- 55 gallon drums
1- car brake drum or rotor
1- 2'' floor flange
1- 2''x 12'' steel nipple
2 - 2''x 4'' nipple
1- 2'' screw blk tee
1- 2'' screw cap

when you get that far holler

[frodo]

oh....forgot. your left over solder.

2 pcs of 1x4 nailed together. in an l shape

put the solder pcs in the L melt the solder to make a long stick, re use it

[smokeskrene4207]

That's some fancy thinking frodo. I'm gonna have to collect some things. I like the wood thing. That's very frugal. I'm so using that.

[frodo]

the forge gets a hole in the top to let out smoke,

but as you can see it has sides rto keep the wind out of your fire

all you will need is a blow dryer for a bellows

disconnect the heat, all you want is air

your gonna need anvil. rr track is cheaper that a 600 dollar anvil

or a 12'' i beam will work.

you need to start going to scrap yards and junk yards.

get aquainted with the workers and owners,,you can buy or make your hand tools

a truck leaf spring makes fine tools

shopping list

torch, bottles, grinder, welder, bandsaw
hood, etc etc

you sure? gets expensive