Just thought I’d share a few little tips that I’ve picked up over the last few weeks, while I’ve been experimenting and practising my silversmithing:
- Use the right amount of solder – too little and the join is still visible; too much and there’s a lot of work to clean off the excess!
- When soldering, the torch has to be on a high-ish flame. I was previously using the flame on too low a setting, and all that happened was that the solder solidified and turned black. I just couldn’t get it to melt! Using a higher flame, and heating the soldering block as well as the metal seems to work.
- Take advantage of gravity – positioning the metal to enable the solder to run downwards also seems to help with getting a cleaner join.
- If you are using a rolling mill, then you should check the length of the metal after you have rolled it. I forgot last week, and ended up with a ring that was 3 sizes too big! (On the plus side, I did get to practice re-sizing my ring…!)
- If you are applying texture to a ring, then it’s important to use the right grade emery paper. I think I used too rough an emery paper last week, and parts of my pattern came off the ring. (You live and learn!).
That’s all I’ve got for now. I’m sure I will add to this at some point!
I enjoyed reading your blog. I have attended several silversmithing courses at a college in Glasgow and had similar experiences as you depicted above. Keep on practicing and you will master the art of soldering. I still have moments when it doesn’t work out at first. Kate