icatz
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2015
Posts: 453
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Post by icatz on Oct 9, 2015 7:38:57 GMT -5
Started teaching myself metalsmithing a few years ago. On and off. Big learning curve as you all know, especially with no studio, bench, benchpin, etc. I use my kitchen counter to solder and my little dremel and my hands to polish/file. The most basic setup in the world. But here are some recent pieces. Sorry for the flash on them. You'll probably notice I like using my drywall nail starter to make little circle decorations. So many things in the tool drawer are great for designs on metal. Any suggestions welcome. Thanks! Metalsmithing
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Intheswamp
Cave Dweller
Member since September 2015
Posts: 1,910
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Post by Intheswamp on Oct 9, 2015 7:59:22 GMT -5
I no nothing about what you're doing so I can't give you any cc, but those are some nice looking pieces and having done them with minimalist tools you've don't a great job!!!! Keep at it!!! Btw, the larger the apparent light source the gentler the lighting. Depends on the gear you're using, of course....a point-n-shoot with fixed flash you could put a piece of wadded up tissue paper in front of the flash to scatter the light a bit. Or, you could put an index card at an angle in front of the flash to bounce the flash towards the ceiling for "bounce light" lighting...the larger patch of light on the ceiling (white ceiling best, naturally) would increase your apparent light size by trillions. For a DSLR you have other options...off camera flash, etc.,. For both camera types, available light from a north facing window (or a south facing window that is in open shade/shadow)is very gentle and flattering but you might want to secure the camera on a steady surface or tripod. Trial and error, basically. Overall your images are pretty good and definitely convey your workmanship! Nice!
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icatz
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2015
Posts: 453
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Post by icatz on Oct 9, 2015 8:02:34 GMT -5
I no nothing about what you're doing so I can't give you any cc, but those are some nice looking pieces and having done them with minimalist tools you've don't a great job!!!! Keep at it!!! Btw, the larger the apparent light source the gentler the lighting. Depends on the gear you're using, of course....a point-n-shoot with fixed flash you could put a piece of wadded up tissue paper in front of the flash to scatter the light a bit. Or, you could put an index card at an angle in front of the flash to bounce the flash towards the ceiling for "bounce light" lighting...the larger patch of light on the ceiling (white ceiling best, naturally) would increase your apparent light size by trillions. For a DSLR you have other options...off camera flash, etc.,. For both camera types, available light from a north facing window (or a south facing window that is in open shade/shadow)is very gentle and flattering but you might want to secure the camera on a steady surface or tripod. Trial and error, basically. Overall your images are pretty good and definitely convey your workmanship! Nice! Thanks for the great suggestions, Ed. I used to be a photographer 100 years ago, with an SLR. Now I can't remember what F-stop means. But I will try your suggestions in future. And thanks for the nice comments
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Post by Rockoonz on Oct 9, 2015 9:24:31 GMT -5
WOW! You're doing that with just basic tools? I can only imagine where you will go with a bench.
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icatz
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2015
Posts: 453
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Post by icatz on Oct 9, 2015 21:37:26 GMT -5
WOW! You're doing that with just basic tools? I can only imagine where you will go with a bench. Thanks! Necessity is the mother of invention. Problem is, nowhere to have a studio or even have a bench. 8 months of the year it's too hot to work outside. If I work outside when it's getting to be cooler, around dusk, I get attacked by mosquitoes. I have a shed, but no a/c, windows or room. I have an old house and they didn't have so much stuff in 1945, so almost no storage space. So, you do what you do.
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flrocks
starting to shine!
Member since December 2013
Posts: 40
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Post by flrocks on Oct 12, 2015 20:38:52 GMT -5
Icatz, You have some nicely designed pieces, other than a bit too much solder in some places your construction seems to be sound. The silver pieces would really pop if you took some spare time and go over them with a burnisher. This will remove most of the nicks and tool marks. Don't be in a hurry take one piece a night and do it while watching TV.
I quit making rings with copper/brass shanks due fingers turning black.
Keep up the good work, remember practice make perfect.
Bennett
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Post by connrock on Oct 28, 2015 9:02:21 GMT -5
I think you're doing fantastic and you will only get better! connrock
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icatz
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2015
Posts: 453
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Post by icatz on Oct 28, 2015 18:57:56 GMT -5
Icatz, You have some nicely designed pieces, other than a bit too much solder in some places your construction seems to be sound. The silver pieces would really pop if you took some spare time and go over them with a burnisher. This will remove most of the nicks and tool marks. Don't be in a hurry take one piece a night and do it while watching TV. I quit making rings with copper/brass shanks due fingers turning black. Keep up the good work, remember practice make perfect. Bennett I know the malachite piece has too much solder. Well, I was soldering it down and that round beaded wire melts like crazy and I didn't have enough nerve to keep flaming it. In later attempts I've been able to make it look like it's supposed to, no extra solder. Thanks for your suggestions. I do use a burnisher on the stone settings, not sure where else you mean. I know some of them aren't perfect. I spend hours getting one piece looking nice, but because of my arthritis it's hard to keep going sometimes. All the pulling and holding sharp edges really starts to hurt. If i charged by how much time I really spent on a piece they'd be $1,000. But I do the best I can. After everything starts getting really work-hardened it's just too late as the stone is already in and it can't be annealed. I've ruined a stone or two by continuing after that point.
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flrocks
starting to shine!
Member since December 2013
Posts: 40
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Post by flrocks on Oct 28, 2015 20:59:35 GMT -5
Icatz, Something I do is run the piece for up to 90 minutes in a small tumbler with stainless steel shot, water, and a couple of drops of Dawn. This will somewhat burnish the piece then I use my hand burnishers to touch up the bad spots. This is done before the stone is set of course (I know you already knew this but other folks might not). The hardest thing in metalsmithing is torch control and using the least amount of solder. Looks like you are well on your way. show us more.
Bennett
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icatz
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2015
Posts: 453
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Post by icatz on Oct 29, 2015 8:21:48 GMT -5
Just finished a couple more sterling rings, one with Lab and one with 3 small pieces of Kingman Turquoise. I think it needs oxidizing, but can't decide. Once I make a final decision I'll post them. Also did a Lab pendant, it's meant to look rough so don't yell at me anyone! And there are 4 more rings in the queue (got some great 8x6 stones from Bestgems.com) and another Lab pendant ready to go. I've been working on an elaborate (to me) copper cuff, trying to set a great piece of Tiger's Eye in the center, and that stupid copper solder just will not melt no matter what I do. I've tried 3 times, so I've put it to the side for the time being. Fortunately I can always clean the copper; it's so forgiving I can keep trying forever. If it had been sterling it would be mush by now.
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flrocks
starting to shine!
Member since December 2013
Posts: 40
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Post by flrocks on Oct 29, 2015 20:44:31 GMT -5
Icatz, I have been soldering a number of copper things onto silver and vice-versa. I usually sweat solder with easy silver. Here you really need to watch your solder quantity or it will run out onto the copper.
Fear not trying things, most everything is reusable.
Bennett
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icatz
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2015
Posts: 453
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Post by icatz on Oct 30, 2015 6:17:40 GMT -5
Yes, I was thinking about trying what you mentioned and I know that you have to be very careful. Before my supplier got copper solder, that's what I used, with mixed results. If I use just enough silver solder, it will only leave a small ring around the bezel and I can oxidize that area and all will be good. Thanks for reminding me to try.
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metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
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Post by metalsmith on Nov 30, 2015 17:26:18 GMT -5
Great work; yes there are flaws, but it's hand made. To reduce the run of the solder, place it inside the bezel - and flux from there too - not too much. With a nice tight fit the solder will flow along the seam. Encourage it round with the flame - it will follow the heat, so bait it along with the point of the interior blue.
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