http://www.jewelrymakingideasblog.com/jewelry-making-tools/making-sterling-silver-jewelry-materials-tools-equipment-what-do-i-need Jewelry Making Ideas & Tips Thu, 09 Sep 2010 03:02:20 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 http://www.jewelrymakingideasblog.com/jewelry-making-tools/making-sterling-silver-jewelry-materials-tools-equipment-what-do-i-need#comment-3471 spunk113 Tue, 02 Mar 2010 04:42:59 +0000 http://www.jewelrymakingideasblog.com/jewelry-making-tools/making-sterling-silver-jewelry-materials-tools-equipment-what-do-i-need#comment-3471 Okay, for a torch, you need something that actually makes fire. If it plugs into the wall, it's probably not going to get hot enough. You'll want a gas torch to do it right. You'll also want one with a small tip for soldering so you can have some degree of precision. I use an acetylene air system, which is pretty hardcore for the beginner, but quite reliable. Supposedly you can torch fire PMC, so you don't have to have a kiln. I strongly advise taking a class or three in jewelry/metalsmithing, as there is a lot of room for error in soldering and casting and mistakes get very expensive very fast. I would practice using copper or bronze first. PMC isn't as prone to dangerous issues (at least to my knowledge), so it's a fairly safe starting place if you lack money or a place to take classes. Rio Grande is probably the easiest source (they have everything you need), but they do supply only to the industry, so you may have a bit of trouble. Of course, if you're a student or jewelry professional (and I think you'd be the former) there shouldn't be a problem. Other sources: Hoover and Strong (metals), Contenti (tools)<br><b>References : </b><br>BFA in jewelry and metalsmithing Okay, for a torch, you need something that actually makes fire. If it plugs into the wall, it’s probably not going to get hot enough. You’ll want a gas torch to do it right. You’ll also want one with a small tip for soldering so you can have some degree of precision. I use an acetylene air system, which is pretty hardcore for the beginner, but quite reliable. Supposedly you can torch fire PMC, so you don’t have to have a kiln. I strongly advise taking a class or three in jewelry/metalsmithing, as there is a lot of room for error in soldering and casting and mistakes get very expensive very fast. I would practice using copper or bronze first. PMC isn’t as prone to dangerous issues (at least to my knowledge), so it’s a fairly safe starting place if you lack money or a place to take classes. Rio Grande is probably the easiest source (they have everything you need), but they do supply only to the industry, so you may have a bit of trouble. Of course, if you’re a student or jewelry professional (and I think you’d be the former) there shouldn’t be a problem. Other sources: Hoover and Strong (metals), Contenti (tools)
References :
BFA in jewelry and metalsmithing

]]> http://www.jewelrymakingideasblog.com/jewelry-making-tools/making-sterling-silver-jewelry-materials-tools-equipment-what-do-i-need#comment-3470 thejanith Tue, 02 Mar 2010 03:52:59 +0000 http://www.jewelrymakingideasblog.com/jewelry-making-tools/making-sterling-silver-jewelry-materials-tools-equipment-what-do-i-need#comment-3470 I work with sterling wire. The place where I get my wire also deals in PMC and casting alloys and such. Santa Fe Jewelers Supply (www.sfjssantafe.com) has excellent prices. They sell supplies for both hobbyists and professionals. They are a smaller company, so you can email or phone them directly and communicate with a real human on the first try! I've been dealing with them for several years now, and plan to continue doing so. On the rare occasion that there is a mistake made on an order of mine, it has been very quickly fixed to my complete satisfaction. (I once ordered from a big beading company with good prices, and it took them over a month to fix their problem with my order. Oooops! I like this little company.)<br><b>References : </b><br> I work with sterling wire. The place where I get my wire also deals in PMC and casting alloys and such. Santa Fe Jewelers Supply (www.sfjssantafe.com) has excellent prices. They sell supplies for both hobbyists and professionals. They are a smaller company, so you can email or phone them directly and communicate with a real human on the first try! I’ve been dealing with them for several years now, and plan to continue doing so. On the rare occasion that there is a mistake made on an order of mine, it has been very quickly fixed to my complete satisfaction. (I once ordered from a big beading company with good prices, and it took them over a month to fix their problem with my order. Oooops! I like this little company.)
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