Harold and Susan Vordos wrote:
"axolotl" wrote in message
...
There was a jewelry chain making machine on diplay and in operation at
Cabin Fever. My daughter, who makes wire jewelry, was facinated by the
machine, and wanted to search Ebay for another. I disabused her of the
idea of competing with the Chinese and Indians but we would still like to
explore the method.
How are the individual chain links soldered as a bunch? The only method I
can come up with is to dump the chain in a molten metal bath, like
galvinizing an anchor chain. How does one keep the individual links from
sticking to each other?

Kevin Gallimore

Years ago, on TV, there was such a machine featured in a special on gold.
Could have been a National Geographic production, but at this point in time,
I'm not sure. Needless to say, I was focused on the set, for that was when
I was refining precious metals and had a keen interest in all phases of
gold.

The one in the special had a torch that soldered each link as the chain was
made. The torch was attached to a cam mechanism that moved in and out as
required.

I'm not suggesting that is the method for the machine in question, but the
idea of dipping a chain to solder links makes no sense. I doubt that's the
procedure. As you alluded, it would border on the impossible to keep solder
from areas where it is not desired.

Harold


I _think_ I've seen somewhere that special, solder-filled, wire is used.
For gold or silver chains, the solder is an alloy of lower melting point
but same purity as the wire proper. The machine makes a link, heats the
join to make the solder flow (possibly with a flame or electric
resistance heating) and then proceeds with next one.

--
Regards, Gary Wooding
(To reply by email, change feet to foot in my address)