Learn how to solder jump rings to your craft and jewelry projects. In this video you will learn to foil, flux and solder and how to care for your soldering iron. I will show you what not to do (as always) and share the tips and tricks I have picked up along the way. I will share the difference between a soldering gun, iron and torch. Be warned this is not the same technique as you would use for soldering electrical components. This video is for crafters looking to solder items for jewelry, scrapbooking and other crafty pursuits! More on my blog
Check out this video on YouTube:everyday italian
Any advice on soldering 12 gauge aluminum wire, specifically what type of
flux paste to use?
Really, really good video! Just to be clear, what I’m about to say is NOT
sarcasm, it’s exactly why this video is so useful. Her workspace is a
mess, she gets tangled up in tape and knocks stuff over while working, has
destroyed and been burned by equipment, and accidentally solders her piece
to the clamp it’s in. I don’t want to see a pristine set with pre-made
demonstration pieces and a tidy crafter reciting a script and producing a
perfect item in 2 minutes flat. I want to see exactly what to do, how to
do it, what to use without spending a fortune, how to fix my inevitable
goofs, and whether I can possibly do this craft without clearing off my
kitchen table first. I’m so pleased this video was on YouTube — it’s
exactly what I needed, AND there’s a Firefly reference! Awesome.
This is great!!! So helpful!!!!
Awesome video! love your sense of humor. LOL! Looking into this.
I just bought the helping hands on ebay for 5 and change and FREE SHIPPING!
Can I try aluminum foil tape instead? They were out of copper.
YOU ARE SO FUN! I loved your video and thank you for sharing! :)
Lindsey, you make it look so easy. I just gave it a try and all I can say
is OH MY! Now, I am getting ready for try number 2..lol
Dude, you’re ace. Nice Firefly reference 🙂 xx
WOW! I only watched this to learn how to make a repair, but I am definitely
going to try doing this with the beach class I’ve collected over the years!
I’ve seen this at craft shows, but never knew how they did it! I’m crafty
and make all sorts of stuff, so this skill is really going to come in
handy! So glad I watched this!
I’m new to jewelry making and just got a soldering iron for Christmas,
super excited. I was just wondering, what if u want a copper colored
finish? Also where did u get ur third hand? I live in Hawai’i and it’s
practically impossible to find much for soldering!
SO useful – thank you very much Lindsay. Just checked your blog too and it
is also really informative, thank you!
I love your video. I subscribed to your channel just because you’re so
funny! Thanks for making stuff for us.
I like microscope slide technique.
Lindsay, you provided exactly what I was needing. A nice neat easy to
understand 101 course. Big thanks to you for your helpful tips!!
can you use torch flame w these techniques?
Where did you get the copper foil?
where r u buying all these supplies for so little money :O
can you use this method for soldering wire rings? (to close the loose ends)
She is adorable. Great video. I’m subscribing.
just bla bla blaaaaa
What kind of mat are you using to solder on
Absolutely love your personality~~ you make this look so easy and fun! I
have to go and buy the things I need to try all of the things I want to
solder! Thank you so much!!!!
I’m new to jewelry making and so I appreciate all the good things I learned
by watching. Thank you so much!! Are you working with sea glass or stained
glass? If sea glass where do you get it from? I’ve found it on the beach
and tossed it back not knowing it was valuable!! OMG.
Great job!! At least you got that dang gun out of the box-I haven’t
unboxed mine yet and it’s been 2 years. You give me hope!! I couldn’t
quite hear the part about the jump ring opening. When you solder on the
jump ring do you try to attach the jump ring at the opening or avoid
soldering at the actual opening of the jump ring….I hope I am not being
as clear as mud.
how easily has the bracelet come apart ?
Love your video. A lot of info and to the point! I’ve soldered jewelry
before but have not done so in 4 years, so I appreciate this refresher!
Could you tell me which flux paste and lead free solder you used? I
couldn’t find any info on that in your video or on your blog.
I m just curious about the temperature and can it be to hot. I end up with
clumps on my piece and then it will not melt anymore to smooth out?? Am I
using to much solder?
Great tutorial! So many possibilities!
Shiny lol
loved your video! you are hilarious! thanks for sharing :)
Loved It. I actually thought the jumpring went over it. when you showed the
“still shot”, I caught that it is actually on the edge. I’m curious how
strong that remains. As well, the slides don’t get hot enough to snap? Will
they break while being worn? I just thought slides were kinda thin as I
remember from Med. Asst. school. Looks like another craft I really want to
do. You always, always inspire me. And again “this is not the technique to
be used to solder electronics”. LOL Thx Lindsay
I loved this – very informative….you make me feel like starting a project
RIGHT NOW! I hate anyone who is just too perfect, that always makes me
feel like I couldn’t do the project!
Hi! I am browsing around and this is the only tutorial I could find that is
kind of similar to what I would like to do.
I made the same mistakes as you so I know what not to do…but I still
cannot find out how to add solder to a crystal without that copper
wrapping. I have a necklace I bought awhile back and I want to make
something similar to it…
Could you maybe give me some information on how that is possible if you
can, much appreciated.
I have attached link to the image of my necklace I want it to look similar
to. The issue I am having is that the solder does not stick to the selenite
crystal , or any crystal for that matter.
You are so cool and seem down to earth!. Really Enjoy your videos! you are
definitely talented and love to learn with you!!!
So did the Doctor Who tile sell? 🙂 I would have bought them…
Allons-y!
Very informative video! I’ve just got a soldering gun for electrical
components and despite of me not planning to do crafty business, this was
very helpful and entertaining to watch. Thanks for making the video! :)
When you solder that metal you really should be doing that outside in
really good ventilation.Also you need to be wearing some type of a
resperator.I guarantee you that breathing in that smoke from the soldering
can give you cancer.
As funny as it is educational. Bravo!
I crazy love your video!! You gave a lot of great tips! Thanks a bunch!!!!
Thanks for the tips on this Lindsay! I’ve done jewelry for quite a while,
and haven’t yet used my soldering gun I’ve had for two years now for fear
that it would be hard. Gonna try it now, after I get some flux!
Thank you for the detailed vid! I was wondering why you need to solder the
copper tape on glass pieces. I understand soldering to attach the jump
ring, but is the metal tape not enough on its own?
Thank you!
Thank you very much for posting this video, is always useful to listen to
people that actually had worked with the stuff one is planing to learn.
I want to do the most simple solder job of placing the end of sterling wire
to a place near the head of a sterling ring to wrap around something, just
that one little spot. Can I do this for sterling? It seems simple enough,
and I don’t want to use a torch. I have experience in the past with
circuit boards and the iron.
Very nice helpful video. Thanks.
Wow, you have great tutorials, and really appreciate the great tips. Thanks
for sharing.
thanks so much, gail
I tried to do something similar to what you did in this video, but mine was
round. I had some good parts, but most of it was a wreck! Do you have any
videos doing any round projects? I am going to undo it and try again.
The kind of solder you are using generally has lead in it and should not be
used for jewelry.
Thank you so very much for your wonderful and REAL presentation. Was a
pleasure to view and learn.
I love that you referenced both Firefly and Dr. Who in this video. :)
Hi Lindsey; Your DIY videos have been a huge help to me, thank you so much
for posting them. I have been glued to them for a couple of weeks now
especially the ones you have done on jewelry making….. After watching
this one I think I am ready to take the plunge on soldering… but…I have
a quick question… one of my daughters wants me to make her a bracelet
with a medallion that is meant for a necklace.. 2 problems ..1, she wants
it to be the center of a cuff like bracelet, and that means I have to add
another ring to the bottom… 2, the madallion has a mood change center,
… I’m afraid to solder it incase I mess up the workings of the mood
material with the heat from the solder… OR, will the flux protect the
base metal from too much heat if I really coat the place I’m soldering?…
You’re right about the 1/8″ thickness. I ordered some and they were all
1″X3″ and 1/8″ thickness. I’m now guessing the true measurement of the
material is just under (like with lumber) or perhaps the copper tape is a
little wider. Thank you for you assistance.
The microscope slides you use in the making of your pendent, are they glass
or plastic? If they’re 1/8″ thick each and you use 2 per pendent, doesn’t
the foil need to be a bit wider than 1/4″ ? I’m just starting out so I am
pretty novice. Thank you. Jim
Lindsey, I just stumbled upon your blog. You are awesome…funny,
knowledgeable and spot on with your information. Thank you for what you
do, and I am looking forward to following your blog. Lyn
Great info!
Yes. I fluxed, but the iron seemed to oxidize rapidly. I couldn’t even
finish a 1″ piece. I’ve got some Sal Ammoninum on order, which I think will
be helpful. Your tutorial was helpful. I wish more were like yours.
Thanks again!
I was wondering what wattage iron you have. I have a 45 watt. I read in a
book that if you are using lead free that the soldering iron needs to be at
least 60-100 watts.
I tried to solder. What a mess and the tip oxidized so fast, that I could
not even tin the entire piece (1″ size). I’ve ruined one tip already.
Should I tin the tip a lot while I am soldering? It was very frustrating.
It is taking me several attempt to solder one small piece.
Your video was helpful. I’ll try again….sigh….
Thank you:)
Instead filing your solder tip to clean it…buy a block of Sal Ammoniac at
Ace Hardware. To use the block, make a grove in the block. Pull a bead of
solder and roll the tip in the grove of the block. I do this every few
minutes or so. Your soldering tip will be clean, bright and shiny and last
for years.
excellent video – wish I’d seen it BEFORE I ruined a gun AND a soldering
pen LOL at least now I know what I did wrong -
You are hysterical! So are the comments added, thanks for the knowledge
(and the giggle).
Thank you for sharing, I enjoyed it.
Thanks, I loved the video. It really helped me get over my fear of
soldering. YEA! I don’t have to use the torch!
PS . i’m doing a wiring jewelry at the mom so this technique going to b
HUGE complimentary to my work .. thank ones more 😉 xxx
HI there 😉 love ur video , thank u a lot for doing this ..!!!! i’m new to
this & really desire to learn soldering technique. pls could u wright all
tha I need to do soldering & all that u used in ur video , pls ! & as i’m
living in Greece can u advise me on websites in US pls where I can order
from all the tools .. !!! much appreciated 🙂 xxx
You are very informative and I love the way you teach!
is there anything you can put on the clamp to keep things from sticking to
it?
I said that because I thought it was a good idea – to be organized- and
people are always looking for organizing tips. BTW, you look MUCH better
blonde, especially when it’s curled.
I noticed your notebooks – it looks like you use those for organizing which
is the same thing that I do. I have them for abstracts, watercolo tips,
bookbinding, jewelry etc, as well as for photos. Have you ever done a
video explaining this?
Hi can i ask what thickness of solder you use please, and thank you for a
fabulous video very helpful
hii
i want to ask u
what do using for that make solder looks stick
alcohol isn’t it ??/
I live in Brewer! What a small world!
Did you say “Mardens” are you from Maine? OMG!
Having just watched this I just had to come on and make you green with
envy. I had bought surprise tickets for my son and grandson it was for an
event in London today…have you got it yet hehe yep they went to the Dr
Who 50th celebration show today and had a great time, saw six of the
doctors, and my son kept getting stopped by people telling him how much he
looked like Matt Smith, they had a brilliant day, an early birthday gift
for my grandson and a late one for my son, they got loads of
photos……..are you green yet hehe sorry xxxAnnxxx
hi do you have any vidios on how to solder around tumble stones gem stones
please i cant find any info any ware
Its amazing you haven’t burned down the house!! I couldn’t even finish the
video your so unorganized it drove me nuts!! =0
Thanks so much for your soldering video! No wonder my husband couldn’t help
me…he’s was a mechanic. A long way to go…I think I have already ruined
one tip, we’ll see. Love your videos, you are such fun!
Yes, I can replace the tip. I’ll let you know if it works. Thanks for
replying!
Haha, I was saying the same thing, remind me of myself, messy area, going
going going, too involved to get all organized around me, hehe:-) Thanks
for being silly. It helps after a couple of hours frustrated with my piece
of crap soldering iron. I swear I’m getting a higher wattage!
it might work. Can you replace the tip if the solder ruins it? I’m not sure
if it is hot enough but you can try it:)
that’s what I’d do too or a solvent based paint pen for a more metallic
look:)
Is there a way to get other colors of solder? im looking for a bronze or
gold color but don’t want to spend a lot of money on it. I’ve thought about
brushing some bronze or gold Adirondack alcohol ink to the silver solder
and call it a day :p
Thanks so much for taking the time to make the video. I really enjoyed it
and found it very informative. I have a question maybe you can answer. I
have a wood burning iron. It looks just like a soldering iron and the tip
looks the same as the one you were using. Do you know of any reason why I
couldn’t use it to solder?
I love your video. You remind me of myself as I’m making jewelry! Thank you!
You guys should check out this EXTRAORDINARY website called MONEYGQ.COM .
You can make money online and start working from home today as I am! I am
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thing. How does the meaty porter assemble the government?
Please make sure you have a fan that sucks the smoke away so you don’t
breath it in.
this was a great video – thanks for taking the time! You have a great way
of explaining things – lots of charm.
I really appreciate all your help! I actually had looked up how to attach
aluminum to aluminum & saw what you described but it sounded more
complicated than just going & trying steel wire. I found that for both
aluminum & some wires they were saying to scrub down with sand paper & wash
but I’d think washing would add another film. I’ll try the alcohol & also
will take a scratch pad & see what happens. Vid still has about an hour so
you’ll probably be in bed but I work weekends so no worries.
huh, that is odd, I am using a flux paste in a can and lead free solder, I
actually soldered something to my “helping hand” clips by accident so it
works well on steel. You know, I bet if you wipe your wire with alcohol it
would work, hardware store steel wire sometimes has a oily coating on it,
maybe it is resisting the solder. I’ll have a look if the video comes in
before I go to bed. I’ll be off line after that til Tuesday but I’ll check
back in!
OK, I did some research and regular solder can be used on aluminum but
here’s the rub, you need to use a very hot iron or torch and file (scratch
up to remove the layer of aluminum oxide) the surface of the aluminum then
quickly flood the solder on it to tin the area, then you will be able to
solder on that. Google “how to solder aluminum”” for better advise than I
can give and good luck:)
No, I bought steel wire. I figured I have all the stuff for soldering
normally, I may as well try a regular wire then. But first he showed me the
solder for aluminum. It’s a skinny, tall bottle & it says to solder
aluminum to aluminum. It was more expensive so I figured I’d try the steel
wire. But when I did (using the regular flux, soldering wire & solder pen
like in your video) it still didn’t stick together. If I’m able to get my
vid up & nothing looks wrong to you, I’ll buy the other flux.
that’s tape, not tap:)
so they sold you a solder at the hardware store for aluminum? Maybe they
were misinformed. You could wrap the aluminum wire with copper tap, flux
and solder.
Thanks for responding again….I tried and it still didn’t work. :o( I’ve
taken a video of what I did and am uploading it now in hopes I can put it
here as a link…it’s uploading super slow despite it only being about 3
minutes long. In trying to find other solutions, I read an epoxy could be
used to glue aluminum so if the soldering doesn’t work, I guess I will try
that next but I’m getting quite frustrated. :o(
if you flux both letters it should be fine. The copper foil is for stuff
like glass and stones that do not contain metal, it gives a surface for the
solder to stick to. Metal to metal is fine as is as long as it is a
solderable metal and you flux it:)
if you flux both letters it should be fine. The copper foil is for stuff
like glass and stones that do not contain metal, it gives a surface for the
solder to stick to. Metal to metal is fine as is as long as it is a
solderable metal and you flux it:)
hey, thanks for letting me know about the aluminum stuff, I have never
heard of that. If you try it let us know how it works:) Have fun!
ooops, one other thing, do I have to foil or can I just connect the two
steel letters together?
Thanks. yeah, I just checked and found there’s supposed to be some special
flux for aluminum only and my hardware store had it but I asked them if
they had some bendable wire since I had all the, er, regular soldering
stuff so he showed me some and I bought a roll. Gonna give it a shot later
tonight. Thanks for the reply! =o)
you need steel or copper wire. You can get steel at the hardware store or
copper at the craft store. Aluminum will not work. Luckily it is pretty
inexpensive:)
Hi, I watched your video & after buying everything (paste like flux,
helping hands holder etc), tried to solder. I’m making a necklace of a fav
band with the letters as individual pieces that need to be put together.
Well, after many attempts & a lot of frustration, I couldn’t figure out why
the pieces weren’t connecting despite everything else going like your
video. It turns out I have aluminum wire not metal. Do you have any info on
how to solder aluminum as they’re not sticking. :o( Thank you
the solder is typically a silver color but you can patina it to a black or
color it with a sharpie (really, you can LOL!) the tape is copper but the
backside is available in copper, black, silver and also gold i think.
Solder covers the copper on the front side but sometimes you can see the
back side of the tape if working with clear glass.
Does it come in different colors?
I LIKE YOU!!! lol. You have an amazing personality, thanks for keeping it
interesting. Keep up the good work. And thanks for the tuturial, very
helpful info 🙂
24:40 clock starts ticking…
yay! Another brown coat;) Shiny!
Firefly references, Dr. Who, and a great tutorial!?! You have yourself a
new subscriber ma’am!
I don’t think so, you probably need a butane torch for that. Check out fire
Mountain Gems, they would know for sure and have the best price on
supplies, they have great free tutorials as well. Good luck!
Hi – this was a great tutorial. Do you know if it is the same process for
soldering brass components together? Thanks!!
thank you so much, I too had looked for info and came up dry so that is why
I made the video:) I’m glad it helped;)
I looked and looked for an informative video your is the bests!! Thanks so
much!!
good luck!
I use lead free plumbers solder (it is safe enough for your drinking water
to go through so it is fine on your skin) and you can get it at the
hardware store or stained glass shop. the copper tape needs to be purchased
from a stained glass supplier:) You can buy it online if you don’t have a
local resource. Get the flux at the hardware store too!
Did you say not to use electronics type of solder when soldering jewelry
over the copper tape??? Where do I buy the special solder and copper tape??
Does Michael’s carry it???
Thanks. I bought a soldering iron and solder and tried it on my sea glass,
but it didn’t work for me. The solder burned up and turned to ASH. Ok, now
I know I need to go buy some FLUX. Your video is very good. I’m off to buy
some flux. Wish me luck. 😀
You can also use a soldering pick when applying your jump rings.
You were so helpful as I have been soldering all wrong in making my
pendants. Thanks!!
This was GREAT instruction. Thank you so much!!
my daughter loves Dr Who too
Thanks! And now I have the Marden’s theme song stuck in my head! 🙂
thanks for subscribing!
Such a useful vid!!!! You have a new subscriber!!!
Soldering tutorial
thanks so much:)
thank you so much. I’ve never soldered before and am trying to learn and
your video was the only one that hasn’t left me scratching my head 🙂
wow!! this was so helpful compared to the other videos I watched. Exactly
what I was looking for!! thank you so much for showing this!! You are an
excellent teacher. Also help to see the mistakes or what not to do 🙂
youre my new best friend! thanks for making it seem so much easier than i
have been worrying about. i love your work area messy desks are genius
brains thanks!
Love your pendent. Especially as it looks like my favorite Dr is on it 🙂
Thanks!
I have a silpat silicone mat on my work surface;)
Great video!! Very helpful. What kind of mat do you use when you solder?
Firefly *AND* Dr. Who?!!!! Oh my! My inner geek is swooning (and the
soldering stuff is good, too).
aye-ya! I sure am! Wicked good stuff at Mardens LOL!
Oh wow! Thank you so much for this video. A half hour well spent. Mardens?
You must be a fellow Mainer! Now to spend an afternoon crafting 🙂
NICE PEACE OF JEWELRY
NO thank you!
thanks so much;)
you can get copper take with silver or black backing (maybe gold too) so
after you solder it and it is silver the inside that you can see through
the glass is also silver or black;) You probably need to get it from a
glass supplier on line. Venture Tape is a manufacturer of this product;)
You are super Awesome I absolutely loved you video. It really helped me and
I have seen about 20 videos before I found yours and this is the first one
that really helped me. And nerds are cool! Thank you!
That was really cool
omdog just get to it…
Allons-y!! Love your down to earth thriftiness. Keep the videos coming.
I’ll be waiting in the TARDIS. Geek is Chic.
hahaha!
are their any stained glass hobby shops around, they would have it too.
Have fun with your order!
Thanks Lindsay – I drove all over my town looking for the copper tape –
NOBODY solders glass here in the bay I think. Anyhow, I gave up and ordered
the tape online – hopefully will get it tomorrow! I also ordered brass tape
– wihich right now is exciting me more than the copper tape – I’m thinking
I could make a cool “paper bead” type beads from the brass tape.