Using Soldering Irons to Create Art

Soldering irons can be used to create art ranging from stained glass to sculpture. Choosing the right soldering tools for each project is essential, and variables include skill level, materials and desired results. Here we describe three of the most common ways to use soldering in art:

• Stained glass - Stained-glass artists use soldering irons to create everything from earrings to window-sized panels. This is a challenging skill to learn; it requires time and patience along with high-quality flux and at least a 100-watt soldering iron.
• Jewelry - Soldering irons can be used to shape jewelry and add stones, gems and detail work. The metals used in soldering jewelry require an open flame and temperatures of up to 1700 degrees Fahrenheit, so make sure your equipment is up to par before starting a jewelry project.
• Sculpture - Soldering is ideal for creating small wire or pipe sculptures and is useful for details on more heavy-duty metal pieces. A good eye for design is the most important element here, and creating a wire sculpture is possible with even the most basic soldering setup.

Soldering is easy to learn with some practice, and the range of art you can create is impressive. Different materials require different soldering tools, but a 100-watt iron can get you started on several fun projects.