The Story of Tix Soldering Solutions: A Montana Legacy of Craftsmanship, Quality & Family Tradition

For more than 75 years, Tix Soldering Solutions has stood as one of America’s most trusted names in soldering materials. Long before the brand became a favorite among model builders, jewelers, metalsmiths, musicians, stained glass artists, and industrial repair professionals, Tix began as a small Montana-based family operation dedicated to craftsmanship, precision, and exceptional quality.

Today, Tix Solder, Tix Flux, and Tix Anti-Flux are recognized across the world for their low-temperature performance and unmatched reliability. But behind that success is a rich story—one rooted deeply in Bozeman, Montana, family tradition, and generations of hands-on tradespeople.

A Montana Original: Tix Solder Since 1947

The origins of Tix Soldering Solutions trace back to 1947, when master craftsman William J. “Sully” Sullivan created a unique soldering alloy specifically for jewelry repair. At a time when soldering often required high heat and created risks for delicate metals and stones, Sully envisioned something different: a low-melting solder with superior strength and cleaner flow.

His creation—now known worldwide as Tix Solder—quickly became a staple for jewelers and metalsmiths who needed precision without the risk of overheating. As word spread, professionals across multiple industries began adopting the product:

Jewelers
Sculptural metalsmiths
Stained glass artists
Plumbers
Band instrument manufacturers
Industrial repair shops
Fabricators and craftsmen
Model builders and hobbyists

What began as a practical solution for jewelry repair soon became recognized as one of the most dependable low-temperature solders on the market.

A Mentorship That Became a Legacy

In 1975, Sully brought Sharon Harvey into the business, forming a close bond built on mutual respect, mentorship, and shared dedication to the craft. Sharon learned every detail of the soldering formulas, the production methods, the equipment, and—most importantly—the customer-first philosophy that defined Allied MFG Corp.

When Sully passed away in 2000, Sharon inherited the company and continued producing Tix products with the same level of care, precision, and integrity Sully insisted on.

For decades, Sharon preserved Sully’s work exactly as he intended: handmade precision, reliable formulations, and unmatched customer service.

A New Chapter: Tix Soldering Solutions Is Born

In 2024, Allied MFG Corp dissolved and was reborn under a new, more focused name:
Tix Soldering Solutions.

With this transition, Sharon entrusted the company to her grandson, Trent Harvey, continuing the family tradition into a third generation.

A Message From the Owner: Carrying the Torch Forward

Trent brings a unique blend of skills to the new era of Tix Soldering Solutions:

3rd generation plumber
Metalsmith
Visual artist
Lifelong hands-on craftsperson

Because he uses Tix products in his own professional and artistic work, Trent understands exactly why the original formulation still matters today.

“To me, Tix is more than just a business. These are tools I personally rely on as a metalsmith and tradesman. They’re part of our family’s story, and part of the craft industries we serve.”
— Trent Harvey, Owner

Grandma Sharon: Still the Heart of Tix

Even at 83 years old, Sharon remains deeply involved in the business she helped build. She is still:

referencing original recipes
helping package orders
assisting with customer service
troubleshooting equipment
offering guidance every step of the way

The Tix brand continues to thrive because of her knowledge, her work ethic, and her unwavering commitment to quality.

Why Tix Soldering Solutions Remains the Industry Standard

Tix products aren’t mass-produced.
They aren’t outsourced.
They aren’t diluted by shortcuts.

They’re made the same way they’ve been made for decades—by a family that understands how critical quality is when you’re soldering something delicate, valuable, or irreplaceable.

✔ Low-temperature solder (~275°F melt point)

Prevents heat damage to delicate materials—from brass kits to jewelry settings.

✔ High-strength alloy formulation

Perfect for structural and cosmetic joints.

✔ Water-soluble Tix Flux

Provides clean metal wetting, smooth flow, and easy cleanup.

✔ Tix Anti-Flux

Unique solder-blocking solution for precision control.

✔ Trusted across dozens of crafts and industries

From hobbyists to master jewelers to instrument technicians.

The brand has earned a reputation for dependability because it delivers results that cheap, mass-market solder simply cannot.

A Family Business Built on Gratitude

One theme has always defined the Tix Soldering Solutions legacy: gratitude.

Every customer—whether a plumber repairing a joint, a jeweler restoring a wedding ring, a hobbyist building a brass locomotive, or a metalsmith shaping a sculpture—is seen as part of the Tix family.

“To each and every one of our customers, we extend our deepest gratitude. You are not just clients—you are part of our Tix Soldering Solutions family.”
— Trent Harvey

It’s this personal connection, passed down through generations, that keeps Tix Soldering Solutions thriving today.

⭐ Conclusion: A Heritage Brand Built on Quality, Craft, and Community

In an age of cheap imported solder and mass-produced flux, Tix stands out as a company that has never compromised on quality. Its roots in Montana craftsmanship, the multi-generational stewardship, and its loyal community across countless industries make Tix Soldering Solutions more than just a brand—it’s part of American craft history.

From jewelry to model railroading, stained glass to musical instruments, Tix continues to serve makers who demand the very best.