Volcano Book Arts | Soldering Products

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If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant.
-Anne Dudley Bradstreet

Soldering implements are necessary tools for multi-media artists. We've made it easy to learn and to enjoy soldering with quality products. Solder metal pieces to the front of a Metal Journal. Make photo frames using 'instant ancestors' between plates of glass and then soldering the edges. Make 'postcards' between plates of glass. Make gorgeous stained glass pieces . . .

Stained glass panel by Christine Cox and Helen Wilkinson 2005

Soldering Starter Kits

Upgraded Soldering Starter Kit
You need everything for soldering and you want the best. Read about individual products below.

Weller 100 Soldering Iron
(temperature controlled)
Soldering Iron Stand
1/2 lb. SilverGleem (lead free) Solder
Flux, 4 oz.
36 Yards 1/4" Copper Foil Tape

Save 10%
~~$123.50~~
$111.15

Frugal Artist's Soldering Starter Kit
Everything you need to get started with your soldering. Here's what comes in the kit:

100 Watt Soldering Iron (Choice or Inland brands)
Soldering Iron Stand
Rheostat
1 lb. 60/40 Solder
36 Yards 1/4" Copper Foil Tape
4 oz. Flux

Save 10%
~~$91.00~~
$74.70

Weller 100 Soldering Iron
If you are looking for a professional quality soldering iron backed by a great brand name, Weller is the iron for you. It works great with either our 60/40 or SilverGleem Lead-Free solders. We highly recommend that you also buy the stand as soldering irons are incredibly hot and can be dangerous to you and to others. Iron is covered by a 1 year manufacturer's warranty. Tip is not covered by warranty.
100 watts / comes with 3/8" chisel tip. See replacement tips below.

$70.00

Weller Replacement Soldering Tips
If you are looking for more versatility from your soldering iron or to replace an oxidized tip, these replacements will cover your needs. For use with Weller irons only.

The 700° tips are perfect for tinning or regular soldering and the 600° tips are for decorative work and for when you want a taller bead of solder.

Soldering tips are considered a consumable item and are not covered by warranty.

$18.00

We have step-by-step directions for how to clean an oxidized soldering iron tip in our Idea Center

Weller Bead Tip
For decorative soldering, this cone shaped tip can't be beat for making decorative "beads" on your soldered items. The tip has a reservoir in it to allow solder to build up before flowing onto your piece. For use with Weller 100 irons only.

Soldering tips are considered a consumable item and are not covered by warranty.

$20.00

Weller Knurled Nut
Put this nut on your soldering iron for easy tip changes.
For use with Weller irons only.

$6.00

Soldering Iron (100 watt) The frugal artist's 100 watt soldering iron is perfect for stained glass or for many multi-media projects. We highly recommend that you also buy the stand as soldering irons are incredibly hot and can be dangerous to you and to others. We are so concerned about safety that if you buy the stand and iron at the same time you'll receive a $1.00 discount on the stand (See below). Not for use with Canfield SilverGleem lead-free solder.* Soldering Iron (only) $29.00 * I've had 2 cases where the owners said that the tips of their Choice soldering irons oxidized horribly and then quit working completely when they used the SilverGleem solder. No matter how they tried to keep them clean on damp sponges, the tips would not melt solder because they got so oxidized so quickly. On the other hand most customers who use this iron have no problems at all. Because we can't control your soldering style we do not warrant these irons for use with SilverGleem solder.
Choice or Inland Replacement Soldering Tips For smaller soldering jobs we have 1/8" and 3/16" soldering tips for Choice or Inland soldering irons. Not for use with Weller brand irons. These smaller sized tips are ideal for soldering boxes and photo frames. $12.50 We now have step-by-step directions for how to clean an oxidized soldering iron in our Idea Center
Soldering Iron Stand We consider this an essential tool for anyone using a soldering iron. It fits most soldering irons and has a heavy iron base for balance. It comes with a small well for a sponge (to clean your soldering tip on). Brands may vary but quality is always equivalent (or better). Soldering Iron Stand (only) $13.00
Soldering Iron and Stand The frugal artist's 100 watt soldering iron is perfect for stained glass or for many multi-media projects. The stand has an iron base and is highly suggested for safety. It protects you and your carpet! 100 watt soldering iron. Includes 3/8" tip Stand fits most soldering irons	Soldering Iron and Stand ~~$42.00~~ $41.00
Soldering Iron Rheostat Prolong the life of your soldering iron and have more control of the temperature (and therefore the flow of your solder). A real necessity for those late night soldering jags. This new brand has an indicator light so you'll see when it's on (and save the tip on your soldering iron). Note: Not for use with temperature controlled soldering irons. Rheostat $27.00 The rheostat helps keep the heat down on your iron. Without a rheostat your iron pumps out full wattage at all times. With a rheostat you can use the iron at a lower temperature. You'll get better results AND your iron will last longer. Not recommended for use with a Weller iron.

Clear Glass Bevels
Use in stained glass projects, as book covers and so much more! These are a real creativity spark!

Weller Bench Top Smoke Absorber
Acid flux, leaded solder, copper oxides, blech! It's fun to play but play safely! Using Lead-Free Solder helps but protect yourself and others further by using a "fume trap" or smoke absorber. Set it right next to your work (or on top if you are soldering a large panel) and it will filter the air and give you peace of mind. This is a high quality product covered by Weller's manufacturer's guarantee.

Removes flux fumes from soldering work bench
Great for workspaces using lead or lead-free solder
Fumes are absorbed by the carbon activated filter (one filter included). Replacement filters are here
Fan is quiet and will not add significant noise to your workspace
Stand allows the smoke absorber to be adjusted to varying angles
ESD safe

Smoke Absorber
$72.00

Replacement Filter for Weller Smoke Absorber (WEL350)
Authentic Weller charcoal activated filter for your bench top smoke absorber.

$9.00 ea.

Copper Foil Tape

Copper Foil Tape
5/32" X 1.5 mil
$7.00

Silver Back Copper Foil Tape
5/32" X 1.5 mil
$7.00

Black Back Copper Foil Tape
5/32" X 1.25 mil
$7.00

Copper Foil Tape
3/16" X 1 mil
$6.00

Silver Back Copper Foil Tape
3/16" X 1.5 mil
$7.50

Black Back Copper Foil Tape
3/16" X 1.25 mil
$7.50

Copper Foil Tape
7/32" X 1.5 mil
$6.50

Silver Back Copper Foil Tape
7/32" X 1.5 mil
$8.50

Black Back Copper Foil Tape
7/32" X 1.25 mil
$8.50

Copper Foil Tape
1/4" X 1.5 mil
$7.50

Silver Back Copper Foil Tape
1/4" X 1.5 mil
$9.50

Black Back Copper Foil Tape
1/4" X 1.25 mil
$9.50

Copper Foil Tape
3/8" X 1.5 mil
$11.00

Silver Back Copper Foil Tape
3/8" X 1.5 mil
$14.00

Black Back Copper Foil Tape
3/8" X 1.25 mil
$14.00

Wavy Copper Foil Tape (Edge Trim)
You asked for it and we got it! Our new Wavy Copper Foil Tape is 5/16" W X 1-1/2 mil thick. It comes in a 36 yard roll for lots and lots of taping! It's the coolest to either trim a stained glass panel or use it to wrap a stone and then solder.

Wavy Copper Foil Tape
$16.00

Click for larger view

Copper Foil Tape
Real copper alloy backed by adhesive. Used when soldering 2 non-metallic items together or when soldering around a single piece of glass. Also looks great without soldering. Very malleable for forming neat corners. 36 yard roll

product representation photo

When using transparent glass you'll want the back side of your copper foil tape to match the front side. While copper foil tape is beautiful on its own if you are soldering and leaving it the solder silver you'll want to use silver back tape. If you are darkening your solder with chemicals you'll want to use black back tape. It's the same high-quality tape you love, but for some projects your tape matching your solder is one of the small details that gets your work noticed.

Copper Foil Tape Dispenser
Tired of your Copper Foil Tape getting ruined in a plastic bag (or however you've been storing it)? Try this inexpensive dispenser! It holds up to 7 rolls of tape or you can use it to store fewer rolls of tape and a couple of small tools. There are slots cut in the bottom through which the tape is dispensed. Now you don't have to throw away the first foot of tangled tape every time you solder (yes, that was the voice of experience).

Tape Dispenser
$19.00

Tools and Tape not included

Safety first! Please wear a mask or use a fume trap when soldering. Flux is an acid and some solder contains lead. It's also a good idea to wear an apron. If the solder drips on your clothes they may melt and stick to you causing severe burns.

This book was made with products from this page and others on our web site.

Click image for larger view

Mini Bench Vise
This invaluable little tool is incredible! I keep mine clamped right on my bench and use it constantly. Use it for holding charms while you soft solder, to hold a nail-set while you rivet, to make the first head on a rivet, to hold a dowel for making chain more flexible. It's one of those things that you wonder how you ever did without.

Solder and Flux

SilverGleem Solder (1/2 lb.)
Looking for that bright silver look and the comfort of lead-free solder? We have the secret ingredient! It's solder made from silver, tin and copper and adds a rich, luxurious finish to all of your stained glass, art and jewelry projects. It's lead-free and non-toxic and has "instant freeze." It's perfect for making beaded or sculpted patterns in your soldering and can be left its natural silver color, buffed to a high sheen or colored with various solder patinas.
Works best with Weller soldering irons. The price of solder is volatile and ranges widely.

$33.00

Hirsch Metals Solder Photo

60/40 Solder (1 lb.)
High purity 60/40 wire solder is perfect for soldering over copper foil tape or lead came. The price of solder is volatile and ranges widely. Brands vary

If you are using leaded solder, we especially recommend the use of a smoke absorber.

Solder
60% tin, 40% lead
$19.00

Fluxes
Flux is essential to the soldering process. It is what makes the solder flow. Just dab it on with a Q-Tip.

product picture

GlasPro Liquid Flux (4 oz)
Water soluble liquid flux. Works with copper, zinc or lead. Leaves a smooth soldering line.

Liquid Flux
$6.00

Horse Shoe Nails
The best accessory for holding lead came and zinc in place while you are assembling a stained glass panel. These are also great in assemblage pieces. 50mm long. Made in Sweden.

$3.50 / 25

$14.00 / 100

Here's a picture of horse shoe nails doing their job on a panel in progress.

Sterling Silver Jump Rings
You'll find our Jump Rings on the Embellishments page

Stained Glass: Project & Patterns by George Shannon and Pat Torlen

This book is the best we've found for learning how to solder and cut glass. Lots of photos and a troubleshooting section to help if something goes wrong. You can't beat the price either! Click on the book cover to be magically transported to Amazon.com so that you can buy the book.

Hand-Cut Glass
Ready to solder great photo frames for a journal embellishment or a bracelet? We've hand-cut the glass to approx. 3/4" X 1". A package contains 10 ready-to-use pieces. Now they come in colors too!

Ready to cut your own glass? Christine Cox shows you step-by-step how to cut glass using the tools in our Glass Cutting Starter Kit

These photo frames were made using our Hand-Cut Glass (except for bottom, right piece which was custom cut). There is a tutorial for making these frames in The Muse.

We now have step-by-step directions for how to clean an oxidized soldering iron in our Idea Center

As with all soldering products, it is highly recommended that you use this product in a well ventilated area. We sell a charcoal activated smoke absorber for your safety.

Sal Ammoniac Block
Indispensable for keeping your soldering iron clean and tinned. Regular use of a sal ammoniac block makes soldering faster and more efficient. Note, use this only as necessary and avoid breathing the fumes. Follow the directions carefully.

$6.00

Since 12/27/04
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* Silver Back Copper Foil Tape
* Weller Smoke Absorber
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* Classic 100 Gel Flux
* Glass Bevels in New Sizes
* Book: Kaleidoscope
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* 1/16" Eyelet Tool

Sales and Specials
* Page Updated

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By Kathy Wasilewski of ISABA
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Idea Center
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* Class Swap Photos
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* How to Clean and Maintain Soldering Iron Tips
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Classes
* Torch Technic
* Photos from Round Boxes Class
* New Classes up for 2008!
* Photos from Treasure Bindings Class
* Photos from Bracelet Technic Class
* Photos from Book Technic 1 Class
* Photos from Art Parts Intensive