Hard Soldering Supplies for silversmiths and jewelers, from Rings & Things
Hard solder and flux on this page are for
sterling silver
fine silver
copper
brass and
bronze.
Use a torch (not a soldering iron) for the solders in this category.
All type of flux on this page are compatible with hard solders (not soft solder).
Hard silver solder is available in a few grades (melting points), so you can build complex pieces requiring multiple solder joins. Use hard-grade hard solder for the first join, medium-grade hard solder for the next join, easy-grade hard solder for the next join, or for soldering rope chain, flat pad posts, or other pre-soldered items you've purchased. Now extra-easy grade hard solder is available, too! See below for more info and melting points of each grade.
Confusion sometimes arises because silver solder (aka hard solder, soldered with a jeweler's torch) is available in 3 to 4 grades (melting points). The grade with the highest melting point is called "hard grade". The grade with the lowest melting point is called "easy grade" but it's also sometimes called "soft grade" ... which is NOT the same "soft solder" (aka tin-based solder used with a soldering iron). See Soldering 101 for more information about the difference between soft solder (tin-based solder) and hard solder (silver solder for jewelers).
Hard-grade hard solder begins to melt at 1365° F and flows at 1450° F.
Medium-grade hard solder begins to melt at 1275 and flows at 1360° F.
Easy-grade (sometimes called "soft") begins to melt at 1240° and flows at 1325° F.
Extra-easy grade flows at 1205° F.
Please note: these temperatures are approximate, and may vary slightly between manufacturers and types (paste vs. sheet vs. wire).
