high silver solder

[bevo538]

Hi everyone. I am new to diyAudio, which I know draws suspicion. But I have been an Audiogon member (ID = bevo) for a couple years and ebay for many years (texlonghorn538). I am curious in gauging interest in a group buy on some custom solder. In my "day job" I have a client who manufacturers solder commercially. Not a small boutique manufacturer, but a large commercial manufacturer. As a result of my relationship, I have asked them about the possibilty of custom blending an audiophile solder with 5% and even 7% silver content (no lead - although that is not necessary if leaded it preferred). Diameter is .047 inches. I will warn you now - it ain't cheap - $30/pound for 5% and $40/pound for 7% not including shipping costs. Also, this is solder, not brazing rods, but it still requires a high temperature iron.

Any interest? We need a minimum of 20 lbs. If we get this going, I need some guidance concerning how to actually coordinate payment, etc. I will handle the order and shipping to each of you. Thanks for the interest.

Any interest?

[bevo538]

sorry - my typing skills leave something to be desired. My ebay ID is texaslonghorn538. Sorry for the stupidity.

[bevo538]

UPDATE: I can now get this custom solder blend by the gram in 20 or 24ga diameter. I can also get it in any quantity, including single grams. For 5.5% Ag/94.5% Sn, the cost is $12/gram. If there is any further interest, please feel free to email me at lmheim@excite.com. Thanks.

[konst]

Hi, I am interested in buying some of this, can you tell what the final price is per pound?

Cheers

[bevo538]

Thanks for the interest. Here is the final pricing I have come up with based on the different suppliers and the skyrocketing cost of silver over the past months. Of course, shipping would be extra, but I would not charge a thing for "handling" or packaging - when I use ebay, I only charge the actual postage cost and nothing more.

For the small quantity production order, the price for 5.5 Ag/94.5 Sn 20 AWG is US$20 per ounce (av) and US$150 per pound. This is completely hand made/hand drawn solder. This price is less than 50% of Audio Note solder, which has a lower Ag content.

For the large quantity production (minimum 20 pounds) - it turns out that my supplier and I did not communicate well to each other originally and the original pricing I posted above is not correct. I apologize for that. I know, I know - my cred has gone down the toilet, but at least I am being honest and am taking blame/responsbility for my part..... Anyway, the correct pricing per pound of 5.5 Ag/94.5 Sn 20 AWG in this case is US$115. BUT that pricing is only available if I make a minimum order of 20 pounds AND they will only produce it in pound rolls.

I have recently done some testing with an Ag/Sn blend of various percentages that exceed 5.5% and it is my opinion that - while sonic benefits may exist at higher Ag levels - the workability of the solder itself becomes problematic at normal soldering temps. I have found that it does not flow easily and becomes quite grainy and brittle (I mean physically - not the resulting audio quality). The finish is frequently not nice, round and smooth either. I have even used a direct flame torch and still experience negative issues. But this is simply my personal opinion.


Feel free to contact me with further questions, comments or interest. Thank you.

[konst]

check this out, they are selling almost the same q solder that you are proposing, but at a seriously reduced price of 26 GBP (approx $45) per peround.

I know this is not quite the same spec, but appears to be a bargain nonetheless

link

[bevo538]

Agreed - it is close, ableit most audio purists I have talked with do prefer copper-less solder. Is the difference worth the added cost? I can't answer that for other folks. Why is AudioNote solder priced at more than twice my price, yet it has a lower silver content? This company you refer to is geared toward making this stuff at mass volumes so their cost is far lower than what I can compete with. If I had demand for the product that would allow me to order this in hundred pound lots - rather than the minimum lots - my price would go down drastically. Chicken or the egg..... Overall, my proposition may simply not be viable, but that is what I wanted to find out by posting this inquiry. Thanks for the feedback - it is valuable.

[konst]

looks like i got my figures wrong, its actually GBP12.99 per 500g, which is about $25.