Great tip for those using solder paste from @willowandtwigg - "This might be worth a try! 🔥 Solder paste is brilliant stuff when it is new and fresh, but can quickly become a pain to use when it gets old and dries out…
I shared a reel last year showing how I made a little silver stopper to prevent this from happening, but even though it works really well and slows the process, I think it’s inevitable that the tube will start to dry out before I can use up the contents.
Also, I don’t always remember to replace it… 🫣
I bought a new tube of paste this week but before I opened it I decided to try one last thing before giving up on its predecessor, and put it in a mug of hot water for a few minutes.
I was surprised to see that it softened up relatively quickly and returned to its original state, once again flowing smoothly and staying put where I wanted it.
Now, I have to caveat this and say it’s NOT a permanent fix and the stuff will go dry and crumbly again once it returns to room temperature, but it worked for long enough.
You’ll have to keep doing it each time you want to use it (I kept the mug of hot water on the bench and left the paste in there while I was working) and it’s never going to be as good as it is when newly opened, but this sh*t is expensive so it’s worth a go to try and keep it going as long as possible!
Let me know if it works for you too! 🙃."
Thank you Kelly for allowing me to share! I have found a cup of hot water is also good for unclogging a flux spray bottle!<br><br>#jewellerymaker #behindthescenes #jewellersworkshop #makingjewelry #solderpaste #whatsonyourbench #silversmith #metalsmith #soldering #silverjewellery #makingjewellery #howitsmade #whatsonmybench #ladysmith #handmadejewellery #jewellerymakingtips #metalsmithsocietyshare #jewelrymakingtips #jewelrymaking