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Post by liveoak on Aug 7, 2023 9:39:12 GMT -5
Finally got my pieterstie earrings done to match my pendant. Back & edges "engine turned" for extra interest.
Thanks for looking,
Patty
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Post by Pat on Aug 7, 2023 10:21:11 GMT -5
Love pietersite, and your setting. What is “engined turned” specifically? Thanks.
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Post by rockjunquie on Aug 7, 2023 12:01:06 GMT -5
Those are SOOOOO beautiful!! I love that copper with pietersite. Truly a set to be worn with pride.  |
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Post by liveoak on Aug 7, 2023 13:00:55 GMT -5
Love pietersite, and your setting. What is “engined turned” specifically? Thanks. Thanks Pat ! You asked......... Engine Turning
Engine Turning is a finish done on metal.
Traditionally speaking it's used (or used to be) in various industries, on dashboards, airplanes, etc.
It was also used a good deal on some machine tools - lathes, mills, etc, as a finish on a machined surfaced.
There is also a specific machine, called a Rose Engine lathe, that has specific pattern plates to make designs.
It was used quite a bit, back when companies really cared to embellish their products to make them look nice.
I don't believe they make the machine anymore, as most companies don't do extras like that .
Anyway, my machinist husband Tom taught me to do it years ago, with a handy drill press.
I use the medium Brown Cratex cylinders mounted in the drill press.
I've also used a simple pencil eraser in the drill chuck.
You can use any size - it depends on the look you want & the size of the piece you are doing.
On my earrings I used an 1/8" cylinder.
On a larger pendant- I might use a 1/4" one. 
Basically, you mount the abrasive point in the drill press & just go up and down lightly on the metal, overlapping the swirl pattern, like fish scales.
It's best to start out with a relatively scratch free piece of metal.
The pattern you create will hide minor stuff, but major deep scratches will still show through.
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Post by liveoak on Aug 7, 2023 13:05:40 GMT -5
Those are SOOOOO beautiful!! I love that copper with pietersite. Truly a set to be worn with pride. Thank you Tela.
Ya know, for so many years I've always felt the need to apologize for using copper, among the silver smithing crowd. But I've always liked it just for itself & you can do a LOT of different things with copper- you can leave it bright, patina it, texture it, etc, etc.
And NOW dealing with wire wrappers- no apology necessary - I feel like I fit right in  (maybe) .
Thanks for looking,
Patty
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Post by Pat on Aug 7, 2023 13:26:56 GMT -5
Thanks! I will try it.
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Post by rockjunquie on Aug 7, 2023 15:28:17 GMT -5
Those are SOOOOO beautiful!! I love that copper with pietersite. Truly a set to be worn with pride. Thank you Tela.
Ya know, for so many years I've always felt the need to apologize for using copper, among the silver smithing crowd. But I've always liked it just for itself & you can do a LOT of different things with copper- you can leave it bright, patina it, texture it, etc, etc.
And NOW dealing with wire wrappers- no apology necessary - I feel like I fit right in (maybe) .
Thanks for looking,
Patty
When I first started, I used GF, which I love. It was cheap then. After a couple years of not doing much, I came back to it and switched to copper because I wasn't selling. When I started selling again, no one wanted copper. So, I started using SS, which I have never particularly liked. Now that I'm not selling, I'll switch back to copper. I think I like it more than GF. I love working with it. I love the versatility and looks. No snob here! |
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ashley
Cave Dweller 
Member since February 2023
Posts: 941 
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Post by ashley on Aug 7, 2023 22:00:29 GMT -5
Beautiful Patty! |
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khara
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2022
Posts: 1,980
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Post by khara on Aug 7, 2023 22:46:42 GMT -5
Very nice!👍 Do you use silver or copper solder? And did you do a light bit of patina? Any protective coating? I’ll need to go back and re-find your necklace again to take a look at that..
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Post by liveoak on Aug 8, 2023 5:52:52 GMT -5
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Post by liveoak on Aug 8, 2023 6:18:07 GMT -5
Here's a link to my pendant.
As to solder:
I use copper solder.
Years ago I started with silver solder, and went over to a copper solder that matches a bit better.
I settled on a version that does NOT contain added flux, as I found it matched better AND more importantly flowed better, when using the right flux. It takes a lot of heat to get it to melt/flow.
Unfortunately I don't think they sell it without the flux anymore.
BUT the fluxed stuff works, I just don't think it works as well. No patina at all, just polished and waxed with a little Renaissance wax. I've found over the years, that with bright polished copper, best to leave the finish at wax vs lacquer.
Reason being that when the wax wears thin, it's easy enough to polish & re-wax.
Lacquer on the other hand needs stripping before re-polishing (and becomes more of a pain). A patinated piece, OTOH I would lacquer to stabilize/seal the color.
I knew you were NOT a snob Tela rockjunquie , in any way. The only problem with using copper, is that buyers think "cheaper", so it's harder to get a price that actually represents the work it takes. (It's actually more difficult to solder than silver, IME.)
At least that's been my experience with pricing bezel settings & the like.
Patty
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goldfinder
Cave Dweller
Member since December 2020
Posts: 274
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Post by goldfinder on Aug 8, 2023 16:13:15 GMT -5
Wow Patty liveoak, those are very nice earrings to complement that gorgeous pendant! Thanks for the detailed info and pictures of the "engine turned" finish. I've never heard of that process but I've seen some industrial type metal finished like that before. The copper setting really goes great with the pietersite! I think there are some stones that are really complimented by a copper setting. I haven't tried working with copper before but I may have to try it one of these days after seeing those beautiful pieces! |
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Post by hannahdannaanna on Aug 8, 2023 16:45:47 GMT -5
Wow you did an amazing job, I love how your selection really elevates your pietersite!! My first piece came from a show years ago, it was so underrated & now it is showing up everywhere, loving it…it’s like a cousin to labradorite & larvikite. I’m glad you’re doing what makes you happy, with the metal that suits you best…most people think I’m crazy to prefer silver over gold or any other metal, but I like the way it smells, feels & I can predict the way it behaves. It just means more copper for you, more silver for me—-winning! |
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Post by liveoak on Aug 8, 2023 18:09:39 GMT -5
Wow Patty liveoak , those are very nice earrings to complement that gorgeous pendant! Thanks for the detailed info and pictures of the "engine turned" finish. I've never heard of that process but I've seen some industrial type metal finished like that before. The copper setting really goes great with the pietersite! I think there are some stones that are really complimented by a copper setting. I haven't tried working with copper before but I may have to try it one of these days after seeing those beautiful pieces! Thank you goldfinder, I feel honored by your compliments.
I only wish I could boast that I made the cabs involved, but not.
I only framed the beautiful stones.
I encourage you to try the engine turning.
It's great fun.
Wow you did an amazing job, I love how your selection really elevates your pietersite!! My first piece came from a show years ago, it was so underrated & now it is showing up everywhere, loving it…it’s like a cousin to labradorite & larvikite. I’m glad you’re doing what makes you happy, with the metal that suits you best…most people think I’m crazy to prefer silver over gold or any other metal, but I like the way it smells, feels & I can predict the way it behaves. It just means more copper for you, more silver for me—-winning! That's funny - that pendant is from at least 6+ years ago.
I saw some blue Petersite cabs at the local rock show and was blown away & had to have some.
Sounds like a plan you can have the silver, and I'll stick with my copper (I have friends that send me left over copper flashing from house projects that I make jewelry out of- so feel free  ) .
Welcome to the forum by the way
Patty
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Time
starting to spend too much on rocks
Making something positive out of COVID restrictions by learning to create jewelry out of stones.
Member since September 2021
Posts: 154
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Post by Time on Aug 13, 2023 19:56:00 GMT -5
I really like your work and the copper. I am getting the tools together to start learning to make the settings for my cabs and will use copper exclusively. I think the cost of the silver for a setting like yours in copper would be $40.00 plus and I would have to do some amazing work to break even on the cost of the cab, silver, supplies, and sales cost. Copper is pretty, flexible, and affordable for me have fun with.
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Post by liveoak on Aug 13, 2023 20:21:33 GMT -5
I really like your work and the copper. I am getting the tools together to start learning to make the settings for my cabs and will use copper exclusively. I think the cost of the silver for a setting like yours in copper would be $40.00 plus and I would have to do some amazing work to break even on the cost of the cab, silver, supplies, and sales cost. Copper is pretty, flexible, and affordable for me have fun with. Thank you - I'd encourage you ! Copper is fun to work with & doesn't break the bank doing it, as you said.
Personally, I think all polished up I think it has a nice unique look. As well as all the patinas you can use with it & etching, texturing, enameling, chasing, forming, wire wrapping, etc, etc. It's a VERY versatile metal.
Get yourself a good HOT torch if you want to solder it, or anneal it.
I found that my Smith Little torch wasn't hot enough. It was hot, but the flame was too small and concentrated. The copper draws a lot of heat quickly & so you need a larger flame than you think.
Let me know if I can help, I'm glad to pass along any tips I've learned.
Patty
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Time
starting to spend too much on rocks
Making something positive out of COVID restrictions by learning to create jewelry out of stones.
Member since September 2021
Posts: 154
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Post by Time on Aug 13, 2023 22:28:55 GMT -5
I really like your work and the copper. I am getting the tools together to start learning to make the settings for my cabs and will use copper exclusively. I think the cost of the silver for a setting like yours in copper would be $40.00 plus and I would have to do some amazing work to break even on the cost of the cab, silver, supplies, and sales cost. Copper is pretty, flexible, and affordable for me have fun with. Thank you - I'd encourage you ! Copper is fun to work with & doesn't break the bank doing it, as you said.
Personally, I think all polished up I think it has a nice unique look. As well as all the patinas you can use with it & etching, texturing, enameling, chasing, forming, wire wrapping, etc, etc. It's a VERY versatile metal.
Get yourself a good HOT torch if you want to solder it, or anneal it.
I found that my Smith Little torch wasn't hot enough. It was hot, but the flame was too small and concentrated. The copper draws a lot of heat quickly & so you need a larger flame than you think.
Let me know if I can help, I'm glad to pass along any tips I've learned.
Patty
Thank you for the encouragement. Right now I am finishing up the plans for my portable jewelers work bench. I am experimenting with using household chemicals to do patina and got a nice blue with Miracle Grow. Trying ammonia and salt next. It should be fun. |
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Post by liveoak on Aug 14, 2023 6:09:40 GMT -5
Love to see your bench when you have it together Time . Patinas can be fun & frustrating, at the same time. I've tried lots of them. But my best cooked up results were with industrial ammonia & salt. Here's a place you can buy patinas from- they sell to sculptors. Their clear coat is good to have, as you need to seal the patina. sculptnouveau.com/Patty |
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Time
starting to spend too much on rocks
Making something positive out of COVID restrictions by learning to create jewelry out of stones.
Member since September 2021
Posts: 154
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Post by Time on Aug 14, 2023 8:13:55 GMT -5
Love to see your bench when you have it together Time . Patinas can be fun & frustrating, at the same time. I've tried lots of them. But my best cooked up results were with industrial ammonia & salt. Here's a place you can buy patinas from- they sell to sculptors. Their clear coat is good to have, as you need to seal the patina. sculptnouveau.com/Patty My bench looks good on paper in “real life” it may be too heavy to move around. I hope it will function like the plan though. |
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Post by liveoak on Aug 14, 2023 9:35:17 GMT -5
My bench looks good on paper in “real life” it may be too heavy to move around. I hope it will function like the plan though. Heavy is good - makes it stable. Don't forget about adding a bench vice- sometimes I think that's the most tool I have. A good sturdy vice.
If your bench is to be mobile, put the biggest casters on it you can find - 4" min wheels ( so hubby says)
little wheels make mobility questionable they tend to jam on little pieces of dirt etc..
OTOH, now that I re-read, you said "portable" so does that mean roll around portable or pick up and carry portable ? Big difference - maybe you just need an engine crane if it's to pick up  .
Are you sure you don't have a spare bedroom ? It must be time for those kids to get out on their own, eh ?
Patty...... feeling happy she was able to take over the spare bedroom. |
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