ge_rik wrote: ↑Tue Mar 31, 2020 7:19 pm
I've also learned that it would be a lot easier if I had another hand - and that wearing a glove on the left hand does make life easier when things get a bit hot!
You haven't been mucking around on this job......
The learning curve may be steep, but it flattens quickly with practice. You seem to be getting the knack which will build your confidence.
Unfortunately the blind watchmaker didn't consider soldering when doing the initial design work. I've got some small toolmakers clamps and some miniature sash clamps. I sometimes use those and blocks of wood to hold parts in alignment so I can solder the joint. Mine are brass, so if I don't want them to act as a heatsink I use off-cuts of thin ply to insulate the clamp from the part.
Tinning parts first and using liquid flux helps with making neat joints. You don't need much solder in a joint as the stuff is weak, so large fillets don't make the joint any stronger. It's the solder in the joint that does the work.
I find gloves thick enough to act as insulation are clumsy and if I need to hold something close to where I'm soldering, I use a piece of ply or a block of wood between me and the metal. My soldering bench has a small pile of scorched wooden blocks and bits of ply for just that purpose.
I was taught basic glassblowing in my chemistry course, but have never developed the asbestos fingers of a professional glass blower. A TA in my lab had been a glassblower and could pick up hot glassware that I wouldn't touch with welding gloves.
Regards,
Graeme