Safer
Alternatives
©
Jeffrey Herman
The Society of American Silversmiths, its members, editors,
contributors, and executive director disclaim any responsibility or
liability for damages or injuries as a result of any construction,
design, use, manufacture, restoration & conservation advice, or
other activity undertaken as a result of the use or application of
information contained on this Web site and all other Society
publications. Before
using ANY chemical, read the instructions and ask for an MSDS
(Manufacturer's Safety Data Sheet).
This page will be updated as safer supplies and methods are discovered.
Less-Toxic,
Chloride-Free Fluxes
Less-Toxic
Firescale Preventive
Non-Toxic,
All-Natural Degreaser
Less-Toxic
Buffing Compounds
Less-Toxic
Pickle
Non-Toxic,
Non-Flammable Contact Cement
Non-Toxic,
All-Natural Abrasive & Acid Neutralizer
Non-Toxic,
All-Natural Lubricant
Dust
Collectors
Half-Face
Respirators
Less-Toxic
Lacquer Stripper
• Manufacturer
Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
Less-Toxic, Chloride-Free Fluxes
Liquid
Super-Safe Soft Soldering Flux
Used with solders
that melt up to 450° F—organic.
Gel Super-Safe
Soft Soldering Flux
Used with lo-flow solders—organic.
Superior #6
Brazing Flux
Active to
1,600° F—organic, removed with warm water,
compatible with
Dr. Frank's Fabulous Flux.
Distributor for
Superior Flux: H & N Electronics, 
,
Web
site,
10937 Rome Beauty
Dr., California City, CA 93505, 760/373-8033
Less-Toxic Firescale Preventive
Dr. Frank's
Fabulous Flux
Contains boric
acid—sprayed on warmed objects, removed with warm water,
compatible with
Superior #6 Brazing Flux.
Paul H. Gesswein
& Co., PO Box 3998, Bridegport, CT 06605, 800/243-4466
Non-Toxic, All-Natural Degreaser
Dr. Bronner's
Peppermint Pure-Castile Soap
Mix @3 tbs. in a
5-quart crock pot—used warm, nice minty smell
All-One-God-Faith,
Inc., Escondido, CA 92033
Health food stores
Finishing:
C–3568 Alumina Compound
Use on non-ferrous
metals and plastics—color is not as dark as red rouge, but safer.
Cut-Down: 303
Alumina Compound
Cuts like bobbing
compound, but is much drier.
JacksonLea
1705 Conover Boulevard East Conover, NC 28613, 800/438-6880
Jewelry supply houses
Citric Acid
Add 1 teaspoon per
quart of water—used COLD.
Up
to 2 cups of citric acid can be used if speed is of the essence, but
try to use the least ammount necessary. Neutralized with baking soda.
Remember, this is
an acid!
Preferable:
Reconstituted Lemon Juice (use full-strength)
BulkFoods.com
3040 Hill Ave., Toledo, OH 43607-2931, 888/285-5266
Non-Toxic, Non-Flammable Contact Cement
Elmer's Saf-T
Contact Cement
Water-based
Borden, Inc.,
Columbus, OH 43215
Hardware stores
Non-Toxic, All-Natural Abrasive & Acid Neutralizer
Baking Soda
Less irritating
than household cleansers, can be used with the scratch brush,
and to neutralize pickle.
Hardware stores,
super markets, drug stores
Non-Toxic, All-Natural Lubricant
Mineral Oil
Use this for
drilling, machining, and as a wood preservative, especially cutting boards.
Hardware stores,
super markets, drug stores
Billrich
Industries, Inc.
Billrich is an
authorized distributor of the entire Handler Manufacturing line of
processing equipment for the metalsmith. We carry a full line
of dust collection equipment (from single work station to
multi-position 3 and 5 HP units), grinders & polishing lathes,
bench top polishing units, larger floor model polishing units,
jewelers' hoods, hand pieces, flexible shaft motors and lappers, and
much more. Visit our Web site to see Handler’s complete
line of products.
PO Box 201,
Fanwood, NJ 07023
908/233-7796, Fax:
908/233-7340, Web
site
Chemical
Respirator: 3M's #60926 Cartridges
Fluorides,
chlorides, gases, ammonia.
Toxic Dust
Respirator: 3M's #2091 Cartridges
Use when polishing
& grinding—very light-weight.
3M Occupational
Health & Environmental Safety Division, Web
site
3M Center Bldg.,
275-6W-01, PO Box 3325, St. Paul, MN 55133, 800/243-4630,
Safety supply houses
Ready
Strip by Back to Nature
A
non-flammable, biodegradable, non-combustible remover that won't
harm silver. Contains no methylene chloride! It's heavy-based so it
can be painted on the object without running, then washed off.
Back
to Nature Products, Englishtown, NJ 07726, 732/792-2001
© Jeffrey Herman