Question 1

Is this flux lead free?

Accepted Answer

HANDY FLUX IS ULTRA FINE POWDERED BORAX.

I MAKE BY PUTTING GRANULAR BORAX INTO A GOOD DESIGNATED COFFEE GRINDER UNTIL IT LOOKS LIKE POPCORN SALT, OR HOUR GLASS SAND.

ADD POWDER GRADUALY TO RUBBING ALCOHOL, OR DENATURED ALCOHOL UNTIL IT 
IS THE TEXTURE YOU WANT. I MAKE MINE SUPER CREAMY SO IT ENTERS SMALL CREVESES. ALCOHOL BURNS OFF GENTLY WHERE WATER CAN CAUSE EXCESSIVE BUBBLING WHICH MAY MOVE YOUR SILVER SOLDER PALLIAN OUT OF PLACE. THEY SAY TO USE TITANIUM NEEDLES, BUT I KEEP AN ASSORTMENT OF SEWING NEEDLES INSERTED INTO 3/8" X 6"  DOWEL HANDLES TO ABSORB THE NEEDLES HEAT DURING THE SILVER SOLDERING.
 
YOU CAN'T USE TAP WATER [TOO MANY MINERALS PRESENT]

INSTEAD, ALWAYS HAVE A JUG OF EVAPORATED WATER [USED IN STEAM IRONS]. THIS SHOULD BE ADDED TO YOUR PICKLING CRYSTALS [SPAREX] AND WHEN QUENCING YOUR PROJECT. BEST REGARDS AND GOOD LUCK IN YOUR ENDEAVERS,
TOM

Question 2

is this item acid free?

Accepted Answer

It is not true that flux is always acid. Solder used for electronic parts require flux of resin, not acid, otherwise electrical wires will rust & no longer transmit electricity.  Some solder might require a flux of a different sort, such as silver solder.
There are many kinds or blends of solder which affects its melting temperature, speaking approximately.

Question 3

CAn this be used to solder small jewelry pieces?

Accepted Answer

Yes. That is what I use it for.  However, the brush that is in the bottle is too large, and when I received mine it was very thick.  I added about a teaspoon of water to the bottle and use a broken round tooth pick to apply the flux.  I also pre cut my solder into a very small appropriate piece before applying heat. The thick flux holds the solder in place.  After soldering, wash the excess flux from the piece.

Question 4

I don't know about silver but I tried to use this with copper and it prevented a good soldering joint. Solder would not flow at all???

Accepted Answer

Flux is designed to absorb oxygen and prevent oxides building up which helps solder to flow.  When soldering, you need to use enough flux to prevent the build up of oxides, but not too much to prevent the solder from flowing.  You may need to experiment to find that balance on copper.  Solder also has a temperature ceiling.  Handy Flux turns clear at 1100F and reaches its ceiling at around 1600F.  If your heat is over 1600F it is too hot and the flux will not work.

ASIN	B0058EDGLS
Best Sellers Rank	#28,067 in Automotive ( See Top 100 in Automotive ) #283 in Cleaning Brushes & Dusters
Brand Name	EUROTOOL
Customer Reviews	4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars (1,101)
Date First Available	June 27, 2011
Item Dimensions LxWxH	3.8 x 2.1 x 2 inches
Item Package Dimensions L x W x H	4.02 x 1.97 x 1.89 inches
Item Weight	0.27 g
Manufacturer	Eurotool
Material	Glass, Plastic
Package Weight	0.2 kg
Part Number	SOL-950.01

Handy Flux, 7 Ounce Jar with Brush | SOL-950.01

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