Friday flashback to this top tip from @marionwild - “I use binder clips on the ends of cross locking tweezers for help with soldering things in place. I prefer this over the swivel base because it’s using gravity to keep the tweezers in place, making... more
Here is a post soldering tip from @baystateopals - “Even the most experienced jeweler sometimes has solder that doesn’t flow completely when soldering a bezel to a backplate. It can be difficult to see where more solder is needed. We use a flashlight... more
Here is a production tip from @martindenoch - “I prepare each pin by melting some solder at each end. I then place the rings on an old hacksaw blade to get them up to the right level, and place them close in touch with the pins. Then I heat the pins... more
This is a little soldering tip I put together this morning for you! Many of my stud earrings will not sit flat on a file ring surface so I like to press them into my Kaiser Lee Board (shared by @thewildpine awhile back 🙌) this is also a useful... more
Here is a flux bottle tip from @rachel_hearne_jewellery @rachel_hearne_jewellery_school - repurpose a perfume bottle for applying flux! Thank you for sharing this with us! I also like your set up for soldering the setting onto the ring. Always good... more
For this month’s adventure in Pulse Arc Welding I am showing off one of the most practical uses. I buy chain in bulk and attach my clasps using my @sunstoneweld Orion 150s Micro Welder. I do like this better than soldering because chain is delicate... more
For this #tooltalktuesday I’m showing how you can use Hold-It! Positioning Clay by @reneefordmetals while soldering multiple prongs. This amazing stuff is available at @pepetools_usa (International folks can get it from them as well 😄) the clay speaks... more
Here is a bezel tip from @hammeredheartjewelryco - “I use this super easy tip to get my bezel joints to stay put. After I make sure the edges are straight, I take some flat nose pliers and gently squeeze the joint. This helps to create tension so that... more
Whenever you are creating bends in your metal, like I am for this princess cut setting..flow some hard solder into the bend to strengthen those corners. This is a crucial step 😎 this video is sped up a bit but I’m using the pick soldering method. Hope... more
I love using my @sunstoneweld Orion 150s Pulse Arc Welder for tacking prongs and bails into the exact position I want prior to soldering. The few minutes I spend at the welder ensures all the components are where I want them making soldering an... more
Today’s tip is supported by @haroldstudio a small, woman owned business that sells castings including these fabulous ring blanks! 🔥TIP🔥: when soldering components or rings with details, stampings etc. use a graphite pencil to prevent solder from... more
Fusing silver with @jen_surine - “Fusing! Somehow I feel like I experience magic and danger all at the same time while I’m fusing. Jump rings are the perfect place to start if anyone wants to give it a go. And Argentium silver loves fusing. I begin... more
Here is a tip to prevent solder from flowing into a texture or design from @mcoledesignz - “Finished my square wire hoop earrings today. A big soldering concern was making sure that the solder didn’t flow into, or fill, the fine details of the... more
So many tips and techniques in this video from @melissajoymanning using a jump ring winder, snipping the coil, the way that each ring is in a little cut out of the soldering brick that holds them upright!!! The use of solder paste is awesome as well... more
Here is a tip for soldering a fine chain from @dreamsmith.jewelry - “Sometimes we need to solder a delicate necklace that is torn. I like to use a sharpie and draw a line on my soldering block, then I can align the torn ends of the necklace to either... more
Love this soldering video from @chrisbolanddesigns - “I get a lot of questions about the wire base I’m soldering on. It’s just a mess of nichrome wire that I’m using to lift the piece and give it some support.” Thank you Chris for letting me share!... more
My favorite project in my book is the Stacking Rings, because there are so many techniques and tips and this project can truly be made your own. When soldering little components onto the rings I find using a miter jig and filing a tiny flat spot on... more
@pepetools_usa now has the binding wire you need to create a soldering nest like this one! This one is made from 22g (.64mm) and works perfectly to elevate this backplate and bezel enough so that heat can get underneath for a smooth flow. I like to... more
Love this video from @lucywalkerjewellery it shows placing the chip of solder beneath the bezel seam and then heating from above to pull it through. Soldering a bunch of bezels in one go is such a time saver! Do you have a tip for doing multiples of... more
Here is a soldering tip from @seaandsolder - “Do you every stuggle to solder larger bezels to a base? A little tip that has helped me all through my silversmithing journey is to lift you work slightly off the solder block to help heat your work evenly... more
