I have been waiting for quite some time to try this experiment: To try my own formula for tin solder. I own, test, and use a lot of tin solder from various brand, so this is the time to try my own formula.

One of the key material that I will use this time is Fine Gold 999,9. I bought in 1 gram bar size which is good and enough for my experimentation this time. Discovery requires experimentation – at least that’s what I’ve heard 😉

To cut the Gold itself is not a difficult task. Although it requires a strong motivation – hey you are cutting a real Gold into pieces. This is no joke, you are cutting a Fine Gold.

The process itself is quite simple. Standard cutting pliers will do the job perfectly.

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Below is the picture of the gold bar, after some of its part cut into several pieces. Up to this point, there is no regret and no way back.

4-Cut

Off course I need to make sure I’m not missing anything. All of those cut pieces must be measured. Voila, they are complete. No missing pieces. Total measured 1 gram as complete original bar.

3-Weight

I also prepare a set or Ceramic and Graphite Crucible, also some Ingot Molds. Below is the photo of Ceramic Crucible, some pieces of Fine Gold and a bar of tin solder. Silver will follow later.

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Some simple tools used. MAPP Gas and Butane Gas are ready to do its job – to burn. I plan to try with Butane Gas first. Some say Butane doesn’t have enough temperature to melt Gold (Gold will melt around 1060 degrees Celsius). So I prepare MAPP Gas just in case I don’t have enough temperature. MAPP Gas easily put 3000 degrees Fahrenheit or around 1600 degrees Celsius. This is more than enough to melt Fine Gold.

Aside from the torch, I also prepare Sodium Tetraborate or also know as Borax. This will act like a flux in solder, to improve the melting point and also purify the Gold (if the Gold is not in good purity level). Also I prepare a graphite rod to mix the ingredients well later. Graphite has very high melting point, over 4000 degrees Celsius. So handling 1000+ degrees Celsius is piece of cake! 🙂

6-Tools

Playing with 1000+ degrees Celsius is considered dangerous. Frankly speaking, I was a bit nervous. So no photograph happened during that time.

7-Result

The 100 grams Ingot Mold. A bit over-pour as I prepare the ingredient more than 100 grams.

8-Ingot

 

 

The Ceramic Crucible still have some tin solder left behind. But I have to make sure no Gold left here.

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The back of the finished ingredients. Soft and perfectly done on the back. But for sure the top is a bit over-poured as you have seen in the previous photo.

10-Ingot

The over poured material. Just some random figure as I just pour them on the brick. No special preparation or molds used.

11-Spill

I prepare a 40 Watts Goot solder. This 40 Watts should enough to melt the new ingredients well.

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After few rounds of soldering, I can see some Gold marks on the tip of the solder. I have to admit it seems the mixing is not perfect and the Gold material itself not evenly distributed throughout the whole mix. But not really bad result for a first timer playing with this high temperature business.

Lesson learnt today: Discovery requires experimentation, and experimentation requires investment (or we normally call as tuition fee). Should do better next time (there will be second experiment to follow).

12-SolderGold