Soldering

Is it easy?

I've been wanting to make some necklaces using microscope slides (which I have no idea where I'm going to get, but that's a different matter lol) with interesting things sandwiched between 2 and then soldered round the edges to hold them together. I've seen examples of it done using stamps between the 2 slides, but I've had ideas about trying the same thing out with fabric, pages from books and other interesting things.

Anyway, when I was having a wander round the shops earlier I found a soldeing kit in Woolworths (good ol' Woolies, they sell everything haha). It's got all the stuff in it, and it's only £12.
I was tempted, but then decided against it because I've never tried it and don't know anything about it so I dodn't want it to just be a waste of money.

Have any of you tried it, and is it an easy enough skill to pick up?

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7 replies since 19th August 2008 • Last reply 19th August 2008

When I did it in school it was really easy. You'd heat up the soldering iron, then have a little stick of whatever metal it is, then you kinda position them both together so that the soldering iron heats the metal stick as it rests against where you want soldered; it melts and hardens. But I don't think that made much sense

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Yeh easy but it smells. Everyone used to make 'solder balls' they'd melt all the solder they got into little balls. You have to try not to solder it too much cuz it can go all goopy and messy and burnt, but it's easy once you have a bit of practice.

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Haha yeah solder balls are awesome!

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Nope that does make sense (y). And it sounds really easy, so when I've got money I might go out and get one Happy
The next problem is finding out where I can get microscope slides from. Maybe if I ask my Biology teacher reeeeeally nicely... haha.

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I'm sure you could find the slides on the internet somewhere. I had some slides in a microscope kit I had when I was younger so maybe have a look around for some of those kits and you may find replacement slides somewhere close by!

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I loved making solder balls in technical class in high school. We use to get in trouble for melting down all of the strips of metal. My dad gave me his soldering iron, so I have to try it out.

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Microscope slides galore!! (and also everything else you never knew you needed- I LOVE this store and I need everything they sell.)

http://www.sciplus.com/search.cfm?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=search&utm_content=cf&utm_campaign=celsearchtest

You have to scroll down to where it says "Slide Show"

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