How hot does it get? Can it solder 16 gauge sterling?
1820901
it gets hot enough to melt lead free solder and sweat a copper joint...it should do silver though not ever having done sterling, i can't say for certain
1820902
Also, it was recommended to me by someone who works with heavier gauge metals.
1546804
I don't think so, very thin metal like soup can it works well. 16 gauge would be thicker.
154301
No, I doesn't get hot enough for Gold or Silver. It is intended for lead and that is what it works well with.
1945710
I use it to hold my hair to my curling iron. It can withstand 375 F for about 30 seconds. I wouldn't use it to solder.
2067404
I use a 100/160watt Weller soldering gun for electronic soldering jobs. It handles everything I've soldered, up to 14 guage wire easily.This gun is 200Watts. I suspect it would be like trying to use a blow torch. You might try something in the 30 to 75 watt range. Called both soldering pencils or soldering irons.If you can swing the extra cost, look for a 'soldering station', better models have an adjustable heat range. You can set to heat to exactly the temp you need.
1854124
Basically the answer is no, it won't get hot enough. These were designed for melting lead for bullets and fishing weights. Pewter can be melted as well.
1728064
It sure will. Lead free solder takes a higher temp to allow proper flow and this will easily reach that temperature within 20 seconds of startup.
1024713
This is a "light duty" soldering iron, I would suggest "Wall Lenk LG400C 400/150 Heavy Duty Watt Soldering Gun". That is the best soldering gun in the world if you ask me... it has a light, it gets hot fast, and it has a big wide tip for heating wide wire or I'm assuming a wide solder joint on stained glass... Good Luck!
1124792
Hot enough to melt the solder but not the came. Try it on a test piece of came...if the came melts, the iron is too hot.
1520416
Chances are no. I can't say definitively because I've never tried it. This kit was made for melting lead. (melting point 650 F) and I use it for working with pewter (tin, melting point 450 F). Silver requires around 1500 F to melt. This kit is inexpensive and works well for what it was designed for. It *might* heat up hot enough for silver, maybe, but it will likely burn out quickly and stop working. Silver smelters cost more because they get a lot hotter and require a better construction to handle the heat. If you're making silver jewelry you will also want a finer set of tools. The size of this smelter (I melt a couple lbs at a time) requires more in materials to be manageable. Pewter and lead are inexpensive. I would want a smaller smelter for silver and do it in ounces.
1896100
yes the heat gun heats pretty well, low setting though or you may melt your solder
1683530
This would most likely do the job for you. I believe that silver solders are the go-to variety for jewelry. I used it for stainless steel which is typically difficult to solder and it did an outstanding job. With a clean surface and using the supplied flux, the adhesion is excellent. I soldered a hole in the pan of an ultrasonic cleaner, so it is subjected to high-intensity vibration. There has been no problem at all with separation. At the price of this item, it is certainly worth trying.
1642928
if it requires 1100 degree solder this is not that high of a melting point it is usually 450-750 degrees as it has a small amount of tin in it. hope this will help...
704426
Turned all the way up it gets hotter than most 40-60W pencils. If that isn't enough you can get the torch tip. That gives you the most heat, but you need to get the metal hot enough to melt the solder.
2210308
not sure I use it to melt lead for bullet making lead melt around 350 degrees or less enamel materials will take about 6 00 to 800 degrees for the cost can't hurt to try
678580
I'm sorry but I really don't know. I've only used it on really thin resist that didn't need much heat. I do plug it into my reastat so I can control the temp if that is any help.
1096336
Sorry I have never used it that way, however just a little heat and you will be just fine. You will notice the solder paste turns from a grayish color to silver once heat is applied. This is meant for surface mount devices which are hard to solder with and iron. Hope this helps a little. Try a hair dryer if you don't have a regular heat gun.