Basic Tools and Soldering Techniques for Unique Gift Ideas

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Create unique gifts using these basic soldering techniques.

Author: Kara Ward
 
Sharing what you make with those you love is one of the most personal gifts to give of yourself.  Soldering is not only a way to create jewelry, frames, or even ornaments; it is a way to preserve keepsakes and memorabilia that can be passed down from generation to generation.  Of course, having the right tools makes any project easier.  Here are the tools you will need and some soldering techniques for unique gift ideas.

1. A soldering iron - I use a Weller Soldering Gun, Model Gt120.  I like this type because it stays cool until you push in the trigger.  You must continue to hold in the trigger while soldering to keep the iron hot.  My selection was influenced by the fact I had young children when I began soldering, and I was fearful of burns.  I also like this iron because it makes me think I am using a glue gun, although the solder doesn’t go through it like a glue gun.  I once heard someone say if you can use a glue gun, then you can solder.  There are many good soldering irons available at all prices by many manufacturers -- just be sure to use a 75 to 100 watt iron and have a stand to rest it in.
2. A Sal Ammoniac Block is key for keeping your iron clean and conditioned.  Using a scissor, dig a hole in the block. The crumbled up Sal Ammoniac should be a pit in your block.  Drip some solder into the hole you created and work the iron, conditioning and cleaning your tip.  I clean regularly…a dirty iron is usually the cause of the soldering not sticking to the iron’s tip.
3. Flux is your friend.  It is like the glue that makes the solder stick.  There are many types of flux.  Any kind, liquid or gel, will need to be cleaned off your projects and tools.  Flux can corrode the solder and leave it appearing dull.  A little soap and water or Flux remover will solve this problem.
4. Copper Foil Tape is what you wrap your project with.  It is the surface which the solder will stick to once flux has been applied to it.  There are many sizes of copper foil.  The thickness of your project will determine the size of foil you will need.
5. Solder is the magic that melts due to your iron.  It is very important to use a LEAD-FREE solder.  I love Silvergleem because it has silver in it.  So with a little cleaner from the jewelry department, you can really make it shine.
6. You can solder onto just about any surface.  I use mostly glass because it can be cut into many sizes and shapes.  You could also solder around game pieces, coins, ceramic tiles, broken plates, and plastic.  You must apply caution when holding your project while soldering.  Glass conducts heat so I use pliers or a towel to avoid getting burned.

A Quick “How to Solder” Lesson:
I strongly recommend taking a class or watching a video on how to solder.  It is easy and fun to do and will bring you hours of creative pleasure.

Step One:   Work in a well ventilated area.  Clean your glass so there are no visible fingerprints on the inside of the glass.  Sandwich in your artwork or photocopies of your photographs between the glass.  Do not use real photographs as the heat of the iron combined with the glass does odd things to them.  Also, make sure your artwork is not sticking out around the edges of the glass.

Step Two:  Wrap your two pieces of glass with copper foil.  The copper foil should hold the two pieces together, and it should be evenly placed on both sides of the glass.

Step Three:   Apply flux to the copper foil.  It is okay if it gets on the glass.  When making a piece of jewelry, I always start wrapping my foil around the charm at the top where the jump ring will be placed.  The foil should not overlap.  Work clockwise and miter your corners.  Burnish the copper foil carefully to the glass.  Any bumps in the foil will show when you go to solder it.

Step Four:   Pick up solder with your iron and glide it over the foil.  Wait for the solder to set before turning the charm. Solder everywhere you have copper foil.  Again, be careful not to get burned – the glass will be very hot when you are handling it.

Step Five:  Attach a jump ring to the top of your charm by applying flux to the charm and to the jump ring.  Then drip solder to secure the jump ring onto the charm.  This takes practice.

Step Six:  Clean charm and equipment.

Now that you have the tools and techniques you are ready to begin creating your treasured gifts.  Here are a few ideas to get you started.
 
Create a family tree. Solder two pieces of glass together with a photo inside. There should be one charm created for each person in the family.  These could be tied to a napkin ring at a family reunion as a personal memento, or they might be hung on a tree branch placed inside a vase as a dimensional family tree.  They could also be placed in a frame and labeled with each family member’s name, relationship, and birthday.  Use baby photos on one side of the glass, and on the other side of the glass, use a current photo.

Design ornaments that will be treasured every holiday. Solder old Christmas cards between two pieces of glass, making sure to save personal writing and signatures on the back side.  These can be reduced in a copier or used as part of the collage in the ornament making.  Don’t throw away any of those photos that come in your holiday cards.  Solder the photos in between the glass and create a “neighbors and friends tree.”   It will be fun each season to decorate this little tree and see how the ones we love have grown.  

A piece of soldered jewelry is such a personalized gift. It can be as simple as a rubber stamped initial on cardstock placed between two pieces of glass.  Or you can create more elaborate pieces, such as a travel charm bracelet with your favorite photos from a great vacation.  Holiday charms for each season make nice teacher gifts.  Charms with a photo of a newly arrived baby in it will mean so much to a new grandparent or a new mom.  These unique charms can be hung from a necklace or strung with a piece of ribbon.  

Using larger pieces of glass, one could create beautiful collage art that could be hung in a window or on a wall.  Soldering glass together creates untraditional frames.  Placing a simple black and white photo of a new bride and groom between the glass and leaving space around the photo creates such an elegant gift.  Tie satin ribbon and pearls to the jump ring hanger, and this frame will be treasured by the new couple for many years to come.  Using pressed flowers or an old doily from grandma’s end table will preserve special treasures and the memories that go with them.

By soldering different sizes and different shapes of glass, you can create anything you can imagine …. from candle holders to jewelry boxes.  Let your imagination take flight and use these soldering techniques for unique gift ideas.  The possibilities are endless.