Art_Jewelry_-_March_2016_USA_

76 Art Jewelry ■ March 2016

BASICS^ | ESSENTIAL BEGINNER TECHNIQUES

Apply flux to both metal pieces you want to join. Place the

smaller piece on a soldering pad. Heat the piece until the

flux is a white crust. Place pallions of solder on the smaller

metal piece, and heat it until the solder flows [Figure 1].

Using soldering tweezers, position the smaller metal piece

solder-side down on the larger piece. Heat both pieces from

above and below (if using a tripod) until the solder melts again

[Figure 2]. A bright line of silver will appear at the edge where

the two metal pieces meet, and the smaller piece may drop

slightly to indicate that the solder has reflowed.

SWEAT SOLDERING

Figure 1 Figure 2

ANNEALING

Annealing restores malleability to work-hardened metal. Place the

metal on a soldering pad and heat it with a torch. When the metal

has a dull, rose-colored glow, it is annealed. Quench the metal

in water.

USING A DAPPING BLOCK

Place a disk of metal over the dapping depression it most

closely matches in size. Choose a punch that is slightly

smaller than the depression. Set the punch on the disk,

and strike the punch with a chasing hammer or mallet

until the metal sinks into

the depression. Your first

blow will make a shallow

indentation; each succes-

sive blow will carry that

indention inward toward

the center of the disk.

When the metal con-

forms completely to the

depression, move it to the

next smaller depression

in the block and switch to

a smaller punch. Form the

dome in stages until you

have achieved the desired

size and shape.

wirework techniques

MAKING JUMP RINGS

Select a wooden dowel with a diameter that matches the inside

diameter of the jump rings you want to make. Drill a hole through

one end of the dowel. Insert the end of the wire into the hole to

anchor it to the dowel. Wrap the wire around the dowel, keeping

the coils tight against one another [Figure 1].

Cut the wire at the end that anchors the coil. Slide the coil

to the opposite end of the dowel. Secure the dowel against the

V notch in your bench pin, and use a jeweler’s saw with a 2/0

blade to cut a shallow, vertical slot at the end of the dowel to

guide your blade as you cut the coil.

Hold the coil and dowel in your nondominant hand. Saw

through the top of the coil, feeding the coil toward the slot in

the dowel [Figure 2]. Be careful not to cut the jump rings in half.

Figure 1

Figure 2

safety basics

Metals

• Wear eye protection at all times while working with
  metals, wire, and metalsmithing tools.


• Wear a non-flammable apron to protect your clothing.


• Tie back long hair.


• Work in a well-ventilated area at all times.


• Wear closed-toe shoes.


• Do not wear clothing or jewelry that might get caught
  in machinery or catch fire.

All media

• Wear a dust mask while working with materials and
  tools that generate particulates.


• Read all Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) before using a new
  material, and keep a copy of the SDS for any material
  you use.


• Do not use tools or chemicals in ways that are contrary
  to the manufacturer’s intended purpose.


• Wear protective gloves while handling caustic materials
  or chemicals.


• Keep a properly rated fire extinguisher and a source of
  clean water near your workstation.


• Keep cutting tools sharp and all tools and equipment
  properly maintained.