Hi,

Does anyone know if it would be possible to solder a silver frame around a microscope slide, similar to how one would do that with lead free solder and copper tape?

 Or would the only way be to try and make a bezel for it?

 Im not sure what would happen with the glass and the photo image under a torch, Im wondering if it would just ruin it.

Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 Could you shape something in two pieces with metal clay and then bond it together after it was fired? I'm thinking, actually embed the slide in the clay, molding it around the edges, then cut the "frame" in half.

I unfortunately don't have access to metal clay, although I would love to play with it, I am very intrigued!

There is someone on Etsy that looks like in one of her pieces she has accomplished this, and it's driving me crazy trying to figure it out. I would put in a link but am not sure if that is allowed.

 Thank you for the suggestion!!!

 If you're talking about what I think you're talking about, then it's actually stained glass techniques - think soldering iron/pen instead of torch. 

1. You would sandwich the photo (laminated would be best, for longevity) between two microscope slides.
2. Then you would wrap the edges of the sandwich in copper tape (available at stained glass supply stores).
3. Then you'd use the soldering iron/pen to heat the copper tape and apply the soft solder around it, sealing the slides and photo in place.

Here are some videos about the stained glass soldering technique I'm talking about. I hope that's what you meant.

Best of luck!

~Addie~

P.S. You can always post photos of inspirational work in our forums, but you'll need the creator's permission first, and you'll need to give them proper credit for their designs.

Thanks for responding Addie : )

I was actually not talking about the stained glass lead free soldering. I have done that before. I am actually trying to make a frame out of sterling silver so it will be higher quality.

I have been doing more research and it looks like the heat of a torch will crack the glass possibly.

I will keep thinking of another way to achieve this, there has to be some way to get a sterling frame around a piece of glass...hmmm....

Thanks again : )

 can't you use bezel wire, form it into the correct shape, solder it closed, insert glass, burnish the bezel over the top of the glass? isn't this how they set stones?

Normal 0 21 If you hard solder the framework directly around the glass, the glass  definitifly brake. You must make a bezel at first and then press the framework carefully over the glass. 

I guess I am prepared to agree that the bezel will be the only way.

 I did end up asking the woman on etsy how she does hers, and hers is actually not glass as I thought, it's a photo with resin over it, so I guess she makes the frame, then bends the pic to get it in the frame, and then puts the resin on.

 Perhaps, I dont need the glass, and will try the resin technique she used, that way it will look neater since I wont have to burnish it.

Thanks everyone for responding : )