Silver Soldering Advice?

So, I'm making a headbadge out of steel.
I'm trying to silver solder the two plates together, but (you guessed) it's not working
I'm using borax as a flux, and I haven't got any pickle for it,
it could be that I'm using a weak blow torch, so hopefully I'll get hold of an Oxy-Acetylene torch soonish.

any other ideas on the matter?

Thanks

Ollie =)

Isn't Borax just for brass ?

For silver I used to take the white stuff that became nice fluid and transparent like water when the temparature was allright.
Don't remember how the stuff was called. Got to google it.

Have you any idea what the melting temp of the solder is?
I use a 'soft' and 'hard' silver solder at work but only joining silver, nickel silver, gold and occasionally platinum. Soft solder will melt to a lighter flame and the 'hard' solder needs a gas torch and quite alot of heat.
Regardless I don't think silver solder of whatever melting temp will form a decent enough bond with steel and I suspect you'd be better trying to go in a wielding/brazing type direction.
Or if it's decoration only, maybe that chemical steel repair stuff you can get?

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_209003_langId_-1_categoryId_165691

Found this, might give you a bit more info. I know i's regarding stainless but I'd guess it'd be pretty similar

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Jewelry-Gems-Minerals-689/2008/8/Soldering-Stainless-Steel.htm

I'm using Medium solder, and i've used easy before (not on steel),
I have used borax on silver brass and copper, although mainly as a carrier for enamel...

Thank You very much for those links Daem, I can see them coming in handy

I'll post some pictures when its finished and up =)

Regardless I don't think silver solder of whatever melting temp will form a decent enough bond with steel

Thousands of steel frames have been soldered with silver alloys. Not brass.
Reynolds 753 MUST be soldered with silver.

Braze-ons are ALWAYS soldered with silver (on the thinner sections of tubes).
T/T cable guides, shifter bosses, cable stops, etc...
It's strong enough, but the tolerances must be very tight.

Any flux advice then?

Thousands of steel frames have been soldered with silver alloys. Not brass.
Reynolds 753 MUST be soldered with silver.

Braze-ons are ALWAYS soldered with silver (on the thinner sections of tubes).
T/T cable guides, shifter bosses, cable stops, etc...
It's strong enough, but the tolerances must be very tight.

all true. I'm pretty sure that the temp for silver solder is lower than brass.

Isn't Borax just for brass ?

aparently not

Different fluxes are recommended for different silver solders, and you should always use the one that matches the grade you are using. Most (if not all) are based on borax (boracic acid being the active ingredient)
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thanks guys =)

LFGSS = Helpful On Every Level