AD: Slide Pendant

I know you didn't ask for feedback, but ... what is the soldering composed of? Is it sterling, lead, etc. Is the finding base metal, sterling?

Just thought potential bidders might want to know.

> Charlie.

I've been using lead-free solder on mine, as lead freaks me out. I'm not sure I'd go so far as to use silver solder, based on the cost. Unless silver solder is less expensive than I'm imagining it is.

I'd at least go for lead-free solder right away, for safety reasons. People are going to wear these against their skin... And there are lead-free solders that will work just fine with your lower-temp soldering iron.

Deirdre

It *is* expensive. And melts at a higher temp. Go for the lead-free for something like the slides, I'd say.

I had a thought about soldering without burning yourself, tho -- Do you spoze the slide-sandwich would fit between the blades of a computer-type heat-sink -- you know, the ones with sticky-up fins? and do you think the heatsink would then draw the heat away from the glass and dissipate it quicker? Plus being conveniently the right shape to support the glass while you work on it?

If I were back in my old stomping grounds, I'd go straight to Axman and get one to experiment with -- cheap. But here in Portland, I have no idea where to go for cheap electronics-type surplus. And I am too cheap to pay postage from Sci&Surp at the moment.

Deirdre

Deirdre

I haven't been able to find lead free solder round here. I've asked in all the DIY places and the hardware stores and no one knows anyone who sells it!

Charlie.

> > >> > > > Charlie.

Stained glass suppliers are likely to have it. The technique used to solder the slides is a variant of the traditional Tiffany stained glass technique.

Deirdre

We're not talking about something like a nickel allergy, where your skin breaks out, here. We're talking about lead poisoning. There is no

-immediate- symptom to that, but it can be absorbed into your system through your skin, though the most dangerous way is to ingest it.

Here's a quote from the Medline site about lead solder in association with use on water-pipes:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "In the past, solder normally contained about 50 percent lead. (An example of the label marking would be: "ALLOY 50/50"). The use in drinking water systems of solder labeled like this is prohibited by federal law.

Now, there is solder on the market made from tin and antimony. (An example of the label marking would be: "95/TIN, 5/ANT.") Use this "lead-free" solder for plumbing in drinking water systems.

Consumers who do minor repairs of plumbing in drinking water systems should stop using solder that contains lead. Lead can leach from the solder and cause a health hazard when ingested.

Too much lead in the body can cause serious damage to the brain, kidneys, nervous system, and red blood cells. At greatest risk are young children and pregnant women. Amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act (primarily administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) require the use of "lead-free" pipe, solder, and flux in the installation or repair of any public water system, or any plumbing In a residential or nonresidential facility connected to a public water system.

Do not use lead-containing solder for plumbing in drinking water systems. Effective June 19, 1988, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission will enforce the Federal Hazardous Substances Act's requirement that all solders that contain more than 0.2 percent lead must be labeled."

Now, 0.2 percent is a *tiny* amount of lead, compared to the lead in most low-temp solders. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If I were you, I would take that pendant off and make another, safer one. And I would absolutely *not* sell any pendants made with leaded solder to other people.

Deirdre

For electronics try Fry's Electronics down there in Wilsonville. I-5 Exit

283(?) I believe. You can see it from the interstate. Big old warehouse store full of electronic doodads and geegaws. Mostly discontinued or discounted. Good stuff for a fair price (IMHO)

Later,

Helen C

Ooo ... thank you. But I am ignorant of Wilsonville. How far is it from Portland proper? (Time for me to get a good map that extends further out of town than the one I've got in the car.)

Deirdre

I just did a google search for, "lead-free solder, UK" and got a lot of links - here is one, for example:

I don't know where you are exactly, it would be easier for you tosearch & find a place nearby. Hope this helps.

I'm posting more about this because I think it is important ... for your safety and health, and for other people's.

Here's another link... and I am also drawing attention to a couple of quotes from that page that are relevant to the slide pendants, which people will potentially touch a lot, and might fall into the hands of kids, who might put them in their mouths.

these statements: "Lead and its compounds are cumulative poisons and should be handled with the recommended precautions. Levels gradually increase in the body and eventually reach a point where symptoms and disability occur."

"Artisans of lead-glazed pottery and stained glass were particularly susceptible to poisoning until the advent of improved workplace practices."

"Organic lead compounds are absorbed rapidly through the skin, through the lungs, and selectively absorbed by the central nervous system.Encephalopathy is characterized by signs of stupor, progressing to coma and often, terminating in death. Excitation, confusion, hallucinations, distorted perceptions and mania are less common."

Now the odds of someone dying as a result of sucking on a slide pendant, or wearing it against their skin is probably small ... but even if it had only a minor negative effect on someone's well-being, I'd sure make an effort, and go to a little more expense in order to use something that had no such danger attached to it, since alternatives _are_ available.

Deirdre

On Fri, 5 Sep 2003 13:42:51 -0400, Deirdre S. wrote (in message ):

Especially since lead doesn't clear the body without medical intervention. IIRC, it enters in the bones and stays for a lifetime. Even a small amount can cause permanent brain damage in a developing fetus.

Alternatives to lead based solder are available, and considering the danger, I wouldn't make the piece before exposing myself or others to something so dangerous.

Kathy N-V

Well, the last exit in Oregon on I-5 is 308 and the exit numbers are also mile markers. What part of Portland are you in?

Later,

Helen C

Basically just go south on I-5 and it'll be on the left hand side of the interstate (east of it for those that do directions that way) Take the exit, make a left. Go to the second light (the first one will take you back north bound), go left and follow the road till you see the McD's and make a right. Clear enough?

And certainly anything containing lead should be labeled as such, but really ought not to be sold.

Carol in SLC eBay:

pic (9/5):

vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from Deirdre S. :

] But here in Portland, I have ]no idea where to go for cheap electronics-type surplus. And I am too ]cheap to pay postage from Sci&Surp at the moment.

Fry's Electronics WILSONVILLE, OR

29400 SW Towncenter Loop West (503) 570-6000 FAX (503) 570-6018

----------- @vicki [SnuggleWench] (Books)

's not what you take, when you leave this world behind you;it's what you leave behind you when you go. -- Randy Travis

Yes, that was my point. That if it is lead based...CUSTOMERS NEED TO KNOW THAT. Yes, I am yelling!! Sorry. It's why I asked the question about what it was soldered with.

I found their website... interesting joint. Maybe worth a pilgrimage to Wilsonville sometime...

Deirdre

You're not THAT far away. 20 miles? Nothing. Beyond walking distance so if that's a problem...... We drive up there from Albany (a little over an hour depending on traffic) so coming from Portland would be a cake walk. But, this is coming from someone who LOVES to drive.

Later,

Helen C

Charlie, they have it at Lowe's and Home Depot, if you have either of those near you.