Jewelry: Soldering Intensive (four-session workshop)

We will begin the workshop with a discussion of soldering theory including flame size in relationship to the size of your project, areas of heat in your torch flame, types of solder and their use, the purpose of flux, the purpose of pickle, types of pickle, how flux determines the time frame of soldering and different soldering surfaces.

Following our discussion there will be demonstrations of various types of soldering set ups including various butt and sweat soldering examples and actual practice for the participants. Finally, we will have some problem solving time for participants to ask questions and work on some current projects of their own or continue to practice some of the joints demonstrated during the workshop.

The soldering set ups will include:
1. Soldering a bezel setting, both the bezel wall and then the bezel wall to a bottom plate.
2. Soldering a butt joint for a ring.
3. Soldering a bale to the back of a pendant.
4. Soldering a bale to the edge of a pendant.
5. Soldering a post to the back of an earring.
6. Soldering 2 metal pieces edge to edge (butt joint).
7. Sweat soldering 1 layer of metal on top of another.

Special Notes

This is an in-person class which will take place onsite at Fleisher. Please review our COVID-19 community safety policies for current guidelines.

Tuition Assistance is Available

To make our classes and workshops accessible to everyone, Fleisher offers tuition assistance every term so that everyone can join our creative community. Tuition assistance applications can be completed once registration is open by clicking here. The deadline to apply for spring term assistance is Friday, March 10; Notifications will be sent by Monday, March 13.

What you will learn:

  • Comprehensive understanding of how soldering techniques work including, soldering theory including flame size in relationship to the size of your project, areas of heat in your torch flame, types of solder and their use, the purpose of flux, the purpose of pickle, types of pickle, how flux determines the time frame of soldering and different soldering surfaces.

  • Hands on practice of various soldering setups.

  • Problem solving on students’ current projects.

Required Supplies:

  • To be ready for the workshop, each student should prepare a few examples of each soldering set up. For consistency’s sake, please use 18 gauge for any set up requiring sheet metal or wire. For the bezel preparation, please use 26 gauge fine silver bezel wire 6mm (1/4 inch wide). Sheet and wire material can be brass, copper, bronze, nu-gold (non-precious metal) or sterling. The set ups we will be working with are intended to be practice pieces only.

  • 6 x 6 inch piece of 18 guage brass, copper or nu-gold sheet.

  • 1 foot each of hard, medium and easy wire silver solder.

  • 4 inches 26 guage 6mm fine silver bezel wire.

Suggested Shopping Locations:
• T.B. Hagstoz – 709 Sansom Street, #1, Philadelphia, PA 19106, 215-922-1627
• Rio Grande Jewelry Supply – riogrande.com