What are jump rings made of?

[Seahorse]

Ive soldered some jump rings recently using copper/tin solder and I gave them a bit of a wiggle and they broke off quite easily.

Is whatever metal the rings are made of effecting its solderability?

[Fran]

I don't know what your rings are made of but as far as Sterling Silver goes you can only use Silver Solder (soft, medium & hard). Fine Silver you can fuse and not require solder at all.

I can't help you with any other metal, I just don't know!

[Seahorse]

I usually just buy them from hobby shops, cant remember the make.I shall have a looksee.

So will the silevr solder solder to the copper/tin covered surface that Im attacthing it to?

[Fran]

Silver solder will only solder Sterling Silver. If you buying from hobby shops etc, then it's more likely to be a base metal..............sorry I can't advise on how to solder them. With any luck maybe someone else here will know!

[Seahorse]

Its odd coz ve soldered quite a few rings and most of them are quite sturdy but this one is getting the better of me.Maybe my iron is naffed.
How do I clean it? its a bit manky.

[Craft Cellar]

Try split rings instead? Save a lot of time with the solder iron.

[goldy1]

just use a damp sponge when the iron is hot. you can get soldering sponges and rests at Maplins. I never used an iron to solder sterling I used a flame. Maplins also sell asmall flame torch you fill with lighter fuel.