Charcoal Block 5-1/2 X 2-3/4 X 1-1/4 - SOL-480.00

Compressed charcoal is my favorite kind of soldering block for brazing and fusing silver. I've purchased and tried lots of other things, including "solderite", "silquar", and magnesia blocks. This works the best for me, but the blocks do break down (burn) and the surface becomes uneven. You can re-level and extend the life by rubbing on a concrete block, but should plan on periodic replacment.(By the way, solderite is next best, in my experience. It breaks down less quickly, at least at lower heat (e.g., butane torch), but at higher heat (oxy-propane, HHO) it melts and forms pits just like the burned areas of the charcoal, and you don't have the option of re-leveling (too thin).)

Lasting a long time. I wrapped a wire around the edges to keep it from expanding and cracking, it has kept it in one piece for two years now. I don't like the mess it creates when the flux mixes with it on the silver. Maybe, I will invest in a better quality board. If you need it to hold heat for bigger projects, this will do the job, less heat use the white block.

I purchased this because it was listed as a hard charcoal block, it’s not, it’s soft. I’m still using it for tasks that require a soft block but ended up buying a hard block elsewhere.

i use this block as a soldering surface for my silver soldering small necklace pieces. it is also porous enough to stick pins in for holding pieces firmly in place

I had stuck this in my wish list long ago and apparently didn't read the reviews before purchasing. I really wish I had. The first time I used this it was making weird sizzling noises and the second time I used it, it split in half. It's not necessarily unusable now the the sizzling, crackling and popping are a bit unnerving. It actually made the piece I was working on jump at one point. I have a smaller piece are charcoal I have had for years that has never reacted this way and is still in one piece. I guess next time I will got back to my original source....this was a disappointment.

This is working great for me so far. No breaks like others stated but I did secure with binding wire prior to using. I am totally satisfied with my purchase.

Worked well but cracked apart after the second use. I believe this is probably a common thing with charcoal blocks. May try to find something that would be a little more durable for my torch work.

I bought this charcoal block to use for granulating fine silver and gold, but the block cracked within minutes, and the granules became caught in the cracks.

It was what I ordered - perfect

Fast delivery and great product

Good product.

it is just a very overpriced piece of pressed burnt wood.during soldering it sticks to a product!after all, after two days of using it cracked on two pieces.I am very disappointed.

Nice size works fine