What types of metal wire can be soldered and what types of flux and solder do you need for each of them?
gruell asked:
I am a metal artist and I am getting ready to teach a class to older children. My dilema is this: I weld most of my items and rarely have I soldered. It is inpractical for me to use or do welding while teaching this class; hence, I have decided to do wire sculpture with the students. We will of course explore this by primarily twisting, bending, and hammering the wire for desired effects and shapes, but, I would like to be able to connect certain structural areas in a more permanent way than twisting. I am familiar with soldering copper and brass wire, but the cost of these metals are currently very high; hence, I am attempting to explore other more affordable options. The hardware stores carry a variety of galvanized wire in several guages. I know that the zinc (galvy coating) is unsafe in terms welding, but is there a way to solder this wire, and is it safe?
I am a metal artist and I am getting ready to teach a class to older children. My dilema is this: I weld most of my items and rarely have I soldered. It is inpractical for me to use or do welding while teaching this class; hence, I have decided to do wire sculpture with the students. We will of course explore this by primarily twisting, bending, and hammering the wire for desired effects and shapes, but, I would like to be able to connect certain structural areas in a more permanent way than twisting. I am familiar with soldering copper and brass wire, but the cost of these metals are currently very high; hence, I am attempting to explore other more affordable options. The hardware stores carry a variety of galvanized wire in several guages. I know that the zinc (galvy coating) is unsafe in terms welding, but is there a way to solder this wire, and is it safe?