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

Less-Toxic Buffing Compounds

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

Less-Toxic Pickle

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

Dust Collectors

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

Half-Face Respirators

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

Less-Toxic Lacquer Stripper

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

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