How-To

I have some questions about Lead-Free Solder. Does it tarnish over time? Can you use patina on it? Does it flow like regular solder? Is it better than regular solder? We are sure that you arent the only one with these questions. Lets start with the question of whether or not its better than regular solder. Since the harm from lead is caused by ingestion, any project that will come in contact with food or food containers should be made with lead-free solder. In addition, anything that is handled, like jewelry or kaleidoscopes, should be made with lead-free solder. Hands have a terrible habit of making it into the mouth before they get washed! So, yes it is better than regular solder in these situations. As far as working with solder, you should be diligent about cleaning your hands after touching any solder. Dont eat, drink, smoke, or do anything while working that will cause you to ingest solder, regardless of what type you are using. So how does lead-free solder differ from regular solder? That depends on your definition of regular solder. The most popular solder used in copper foil work is 60/40 (60% tin, 40% lead). The other option is 50/50 (even amounts of tin

You can make frit from leftover glass pieces in a few different ways. First, if you have a torch , simply heat your piece of scrap in the flame until it gets red but not drippy. Then drop it into a bowl of water (wearing protective eyewear, of course) and watch as the glass breaks into tiny little pieces. You could also choose to use a Frit Piston . Place compatible glass scraps into the frit piston, insert the upper plunger into the tube and plunge. The nice thing about the piston is that it allows you to create frit in any size you want. Another, perhaps less refined, way to create frit is to wrap your glass in a towel, grab a hammer and have at it. (This works especially well if you’ve had a bad week at work!) You can also try a good old-fashioned mortar and pestle . This works best with small pieces of scrap or large frit that you want to grind down.