suitable soldering iron please?

Chickenbrain2009

Hi, you have all been very helpful. In fact modern sterling jump rings sold on Ebay are more like key rings, but they are not very secure, I have lost charms off of them no matter what the site says. So I have several choices, apart from paying someone else. one is to buy key ring style sterling silver jump rings and literally just melt part of it so it fuses, thereby making a secure ring, or joining two ends with solder. I have noticed that some jump rings were joined with a darker material, which must be the solder you are talking about. As for Maplins, I have a branch locally, but I was less than impressed yesterday when I took a microscope back and the chap told me he didnt understand them at all as he never used one.However, eventually I got the manager and he gave me a replacement. Re soldering.. I think the old man used a blow torch type and I remember him telling me it was difficult to do enameled ones. Overall advice as to whether I should opt for a blow torch or soldering iron will be appreciated bearing in mind my comments re silver jump rings being like key rings. In the meantime my ex is taking my most valuable charm bracelet to have it done in Hong Kong as its cheaper there, I still, however need to sort our several other bracelets and necklaces. I suspect that the ordinary iron might be best so I dont destroy any enamel although the blow torch would simply need to melt the silver? I can buy one of those third hand type things to steady it.

Thanks
Pam




Pam