Create the Hinge Knuckles
Photo 1 One of the challenges to creat-
ing a butt hinge is making the knuckles,
which need to be uniform in size and
shape. To do this, I use the Makin’s Clay
Extruder which includes the extruder
barrel and its screw top, the 2 mm
extruder adapter, the rubber gasket,
and the small circle extruder insert.
Photo 2Place cling wrap inside the
extruder barrel to help prevent the clay
from sticking to the barrel chamber to
make saving clay and cleanup easier.
Inside the barrel, place 7 grams of silver
clay and the extruder adapter, and fi t
the rubber gasket inside the adapter.
Photo 3Place the circle insert on top
MATERIALS
30 grams Art Clay Silver Metal
Clay
1" 18 gauge half hard sterling
silver wire
2" 22 gauge dead soft sterling
silver wire
Art Clay Silver Syringe
Art Clay Silver PasteTOOLS
METAL CLAY: Acrylic or glass
work surface, nonstick surface
(Tefl on), thickness guides —
.75mm (3 playing cards) and 1
mm (4 playing cards), acrylic
roller, paint brush, steel spatula,
pin tool or knife, textured
surface, circle template, domed
surface, straw, straight-edge
cutter
FINISHING AND REFINEMENT:
Jeweler’s saw, tube cutting jig,
1mm drill bit, round needle fi le
(fi ne), sandpaper — 320 grit,
sanding sticks
FIRING: Kiln, kiln fi ber blanket
ASSEMBLY: Chain nose pliers,
stainless steel block, riveting
hammerSOURCES
Most of the tools and materials
for this project will be available
from well-stocked jewelry supply
vendors, many of whom can be
found in our Advertisers’ Index,
page 71.LOCKETS HAVE ALWAYS INTRIGUED ME:
I long to know what secret lies inside. I decided to design and engineer a
locket made with metal clay that uses a hinge mechanism to open and close.
For my project, I chose a commonly used jewelry hinge called a butt hinge.
Its key components are tubes called knuckles alternatingly fi xed to the
locket’s front and back. This locket features three knuckles — one attached
to the front and two to the back. Rotation of the knuckles around a center
pin enables the locket to open and close like a clamshell. When closed, a wire
tension clasp keeps it secure.
1 2
3
January/February 2016^41