Solder Tools
how do you use the coldheat soldering tool?
i want to use it for jewlery repair. if i want to permedently close a hoop do i just put the tool up against the metal? do i need another piece of metal to work with it, or will the heat from the tool melt the metal to close the hoop by its self? thanks.
I have never used this product, but I am very experienced in soldering the regular way. Soldering does not melt the metal that you are fixing, only welding will do that. All soldering is a process of melting the solder material to fill the gap, hole, etc.
The solder melts at a much lower temperature than most metals. You end up with the gap filled with whatever solder material you are using. Again, it does not melt the object to be repaired.
Jewlers use a much hoter torch than regular soldering so I doubt the unit you mention will work. Again, I have not tried it.
FYI, brazing also fills the hole with the brazing material and does not melt the base material. The brazing filler is much harder and stronger than regular solder and takes a higher temperature. Silver solder is in between the two, but closer to regular solder.
Basic Soldering Tools for PMC, Silver & Gold – Part 2