I would like to know how to bend silver smoothly so I can make jewelry out of silver utelsils.?

15 Mar 2010

15 Mar, 2010 silver jewelry making

I would like to make jewelry, napkin rings, and a few other items out of silverplate utensils, but am not sure how to bend the pieces. I want the final product to have a smooth bend and not loose the silver plate on the pieces. Any help would be appreciated.

With silver plating that may be difficult. Best to use sterling. But if you don’t have sterling, you might try gently heating the utensil first, but not overmuch. To get a uniform bend, use dowels. You might try securing different sized dowels to a larger board, like a 2 x 4, or in a vise.

Not sure if this will work, with the silver plated utensils, but worth a try.

Also, if there are flea markets near you, you might scrounge for odd pieces of sterling.

Let me know it if works!

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2 Responses

tanagila0530
2010 Mar 16 1

With silver plating that may be difficult. Best to use sterling. But if you don’t have sterling, you might try gently heating the utensil first, but not overmuch. To get a uniform bend, use dowels. You might try securing different sized dowels to a larger board, like a 2 x 4, or in a vise.

Not sure if this will work, with the silver plated utensils, but worth a try.

Also, if there are flea markets near you, you might scrounge for odd pieces of sterling.

Let me know it if works!
References :
Crafter with experience in many areas, always willing to try something new!
JLo
2010 Mar 16 2

Don’t heat it, you will burn off the plate and it will take enough heat to soften the metal that you WILL burn off the silver plate. Use a rawhide or rubber mallet and gently hammer the pieces around mandrels made from metal or wood held in a vise attached firmly to a bench. It will take a lot of muscle/force/deftness but with enough practice you should be able to form it. I also glue heavy leather to my pliers to form things so that I don’t leave marks on metal. You can also find pliers with vinyl jaws which won’t harm the metal or leave marks. Stay away from stainless steel it’s way too hard to work with at room temperature.
References :
I’m a metalsmith with 20+ years experience.

Jewelry Making