So as my metal smithing process continues one very magical thing that has happened is: RINGS! They used to always be such a mystery to me. How do they get so round? So durable? And how do you bezel such a small stone?
Well, the mysteries have yet to all be uncovered. But at least I have got down the basics and then some. I've realized the trick is a very fine saw blade that can kill your fingers but it works great to carve out little spaces. Perhaps an anvil would work to hold the metal in place while you saw.
I like to saw rather than use siccors because you can get a finer and cleaner cut. Of course after sawing you must file around edges to smooth. I use a nail file.
Also a mallet hammer is a must. This helps strengthen the metal while shaping around the ring mandrel without marring the silver. And last but not least touching up on the ol soldering skills can never be enough. The more I solder the more I understand how it works, the metal and the solder. I am by no means a master yet but I can feel my skill level improving and in not even that long of a time.
All it takes is time and dedication (oh yea and some $:)
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment