Pickling and Super Pickle
Since soldering produces fire scale on metal, pickling to remove it is a must.
Instructions
Pickling mixed metal pieces in plain pickle results in plating brass, silver, and nickel silver with a layer of copper.
Super pickle, a mix of half regular pickle and half hydrogen peroxide, solves that problem. Super pickle works fast, so keep checking the piece. The fire scale will separated from the piece but sit on the surface so move it around when checking it.
The second photo shows a copper, brass, and silver piece after it was pickled in super pickle.
Super pickle, a mix of half regular pickle and half hydrogen peroxide, solves that problem. Super pickle works fast, so keep checking the piece. The fire scale will separated from the piece but sit on the surface so move it around when checking it.
The second photo shows a copper, brass, and silver piece after it was pickled in super pickle.
After pickling, the surface of the metal has a matte finish, use a toothbrush and water to remove any fire scale still sitting on the surface of the metal.
If the bottom of the piece contacted the bottom of the pickle pot, there may still be fire scale there. It may be necessary to put the piece in super-pickle again.
If the bottom of the piece contacted the bottom of the pickle pot, there may still be fire scale there. It may be necessary to put the piece in super-pickle again.
After the pieces are dry, a quick brushing with a soft bristle steel or brass brush will remove any little pieces of fire scale that were not rinsed away. Brushing will also polish and shine dried pieces to a satin finish.
A note on flux and fire scale
Fluxing pieces provides a barrier that will help cut down on fire scale as well as help chip and wire solder flow.
Using paste solder that contains flux helps the solder flow but does not cut down much on fire scale. Since the pieces will have to be pickled anyway, I don't worry too much about using flux on base metal pieces when using paste solder.
I always use flux on sterling silver and gold-filled items, but not always on Argentium, which does not get fire scale in the same way.
No matter what metals are being used, the larger the piece being worked on is, the more likely I am to use flux. Why? Because the piece will be heated longer because of the size.
The longer metals are heated, the hotter they get and the thicker the layer of fire scale could become. Carefully applied texture could be damaged or destroyed
Using paste solder that contains flux helps the solder flow but does not cut down much on fire scale. Since the pieces will have to be pickled anyway, I don't worry too much about using flux on base metal pieces when using paste solder.
I always use flux on sterling silver and gold-filled items, but not always on Argentium, which does not get fire scale in the same way.
No matter what metals are being used, the larger the piece being worked on is, the more likely I am to use flux. Why? Because the piece will be heated longer because of the size.
The longer metals are heated, the hotter they get and the thicker the layer of fire scale could become. Carefully applied texture could be damaged or destroyed
Materials
No materials listed
Tools
Daddy Dipper Pickle Pot, 24 Ounce Capacity
CLN-585.00
- CLN-585.00
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $45.95
- Gold Club Price: $34.46
NATURE'S TOUCH CITRIC PICKLE, 2LB PLASTIC JAR
CLN-163.00
- CLN-163.00
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $17.95
- Gold Club Price: $13.46
Sparex Number 2 Pickling Compound
SOL-802.10
- SOL-802.10
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $6.95
- Gold Club Price: $5.21
Supply Detail
loading...
Change Metal:
This Tip requires:
Purchase quantity:
Price: $
Gold Club Price: $
Purchase quantity:
Price: $
Gold Club Price: $
- Category: Metalwork
- Technique(s): General Education
Judy Larson
Other Tips by Judy Larson
My first tip - Updated
Build A Tool Rack
Clamps for Jewelry Making
Finishing Wire Ends
Handmade Closures
Removing Tarnish From Your Jewelry
Homemade Pickle
Wire Wrapped Loops
How to Make Balled Head Pins
Lessen the Noise - Save Your Eardrums
Make a Rivet and Eyelet Tile
Two Tips for Making Pendant Bails with Craft Wire
Petal Forming on a Wood Block
Save Your Fingers while Texturing
Soldering on Copper
Sticker Templates
Using 6 Step Barrel Pliers 
Using a Center Finder
Using a Tile to Cut Rivets
Using Household Super Glue on Minor Cuts, Nicks and Scrapes
Using Tiles on Tube Rivets and Eyelets
Clothespin Tools
Making Decorative Granulation Beads
Using Your Hole Punch Pliers
Decorative Granulation and Beads 
How to Find and Mark the Center of a Disc.
Choosing the Right Clasp
Chunky Chain Inspiration
Tool Tip - Steampunk or Industrial Rivets 
Storing Jump Rings
Wear Your Brooches on a Neckwire
Storing Your Metal
Using Disc Cutter Shims
Conditioning a Rawhide Mallet
Flattening Metal Pieces
Quenching
Saving a Broken Solder Brick
Why I Use Solder Paste
Designing a Toggle Clasp That Works
Round Mandrels
Get the Look of Eyelets
Earring Pairs Template
Storing and Caring for Files
Open or Closed Jump RIngs on Bracelets and Necklaces
Versatile Permanent Markers
You Used What
Rescuing a Very Used Magnesia Soldering Block
Using Hole Punch Pliers
Metal Shears Care
Paperclip Earrings
Think Outside the Box - Alternative Metal Texturing
Make Stamping Metal a Bit Easier 
Stone Bezel Setting Tips
Viking Knit Tips
Using Glue Under Cabochons 
Tool Tip - Digital Pocket Scale
Repeat Performance
Another Way to Condition a Rawhide Mallet
Carry a Sketch Pad
Why You Should Take a Class
Jewelry Making Templates
Carry a Sketch Pad
Keeping Your Bracelet Focals in Place
Metal Content Stamping 
Pine Trees, Animals, and Mountains Templates 
Using Sanding Sponges and Papers
Adding Depth to Carved Beads and Cabochons
Closing Rings Tightly for Soldering
Squaring Wire Ends
Ring Mandrels
Tool Tip - Bench Brushes
Scrap Wire Twisted Rings
Tool Tip - Soft Bristle Metal Brushes
Project Multiples - Calibrated Cabochons
Mobius Pearl Drop Earrings
Copper Wire Solder
Large Dapping Punches and Alternatives 
Project Multiples - Glass Pebble Cabs
Project Storage
Tiny Bead and Findings Storage 
Working Smart
Display Trays as Storage
Making TIny Leaves
Adapting a Tutorial
Build Better Bead Storage
Using Magical Crimping Pliers
Add a Touch of Gold
Make a Lacy Argentium Scrap Metal Sheet
Birch Bark Texture
Versatile Snap-on Bails
Bead Cap Primer
Using Glue Sticks with Printed Templates
Choosing a Lake or Riverstone
Do a Facebook Collaboration
Shielding a Jewelry Piece When Stone Setting 
Some Ideas Are Right in Front of You
Curving and Scrolling Wire
Using Snapsets to Add Sparkle to Your Work
Cutting Wire Multiples of the Same Length
Separating Distinct Textures on a Single Piece of Metal
Changing the Size of a Pearl
Easy Ring Cleaning
Add a Bit of Dimension
Keeping Projects Separate
Tumbling and Polishing Metal Beads
Unexpected Jewels
Saws and Turning Radius
Flattening Metal Pieces
Mobius Ring Spacers
Filing Angled Wires in a Jig
Storing Handmade Elements
Simple Way to Straighten Wire
Two Ways to Make Simple Loops
Making Simple Eyepins
Using Fun Tak as a Resist
Why Use a Binder to Store Embellishments
Storing Dapping Blocks and Punches
Wire Basics - Opening and Closing Jump Rings
Enlarging a Bezel
Leaf Inspirations
Earring Findings for Different Ages
Accidentally Learning Something New
Fusing Jump Rings
Tool Tip - Divided Caliper Scribe
Out of the Mouths of Babes or Fixing a Spinning Bracelet
Rethinking a Design
When Bead Holes are Too Large
Soldering a Dome to a Backplate
Eye of Shiva AKA Pacific Cat's Eye 
Ribbon Wrapped Bracelet tips
Making Lightweight Earrings with Unexpected Finds
Tool Tip - Indispensable Tapes
What Happens To Pearls Not Worn, Cleaned, and Stored Properly
Aha Lightbulb Moment
Adding Loops for Dangles on a Classic Wire Bezel Wrap
After the Rain - Found Treasures
Back to School
Bezel Solution for Corners and Points 
Filling Holes in Stones
Dots to the Rescue
Raising Stones in Bezel Settings
Leveling the Bottom of a Large Bezel
Using Leftovers
Make-do Sawing Solutions
Combining Tutorials
Scrap Melt
What's Your Jewelry Style
Using Wax from Braces
Sometimes Simple Really is Better
Opening and Closing Jump Rings
Bead Soup and Small Changes
Repurposing Sterling Cord End Findings
Wire Wrapped Bail Finishing Options
Protecting The Back of a Piece When Setting Stones
Altering Your Dapping Block
Trimming Around a Bezel
Making Tiny Dapped Metal Leaves
Labeling Cabs When Working with Them
Basic Round Well Wood Dapping Blocks
Get Inspired by What's on Your Bench
When Things Go Awry
Putting On and Taking Off a Cuff Bracelet
Adding Hearts to Your Designs
Taking Care of Your Rolling Mill
Power Up
Hammer Basics
Wire Temper and Jump Rings
Embellish Bezels with Twisted Wire
Embellish a Treasure Box
Make a Polymer Clay Cabochon Mandrel
Jewelry Packaging for Small Items - Pillow Boxes
Make-do Sawing Solutions
Ball Chain Embellishments
The premier place for all your jewelry making needs. The best in wire, tools, cabochons, gemstone beads and more. As well as a superior resource for educational support to help build your jewelry making skills and techniques.
Connect With Us
® 2007 - 2024 Wirejewelry.com Powered by ClaimTheWeb Cart