Make a diamond link chain by fusing Argentium Sterling Silver
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- Опубликовано: 8 сен 2024
- Many years ago I found some elongated diamond chain by the foot, unfortunately the vendor no longer stocked it and what I could find @$16US/ft was a bit more than I wanted to spend. So the other option is to make it.
1. Start with 18g round Argentium Sterling Silver
2. Make jump rings, in this case mine are 7.5mm
3. Fuse
4. Shape on bezel mandrel into squares, etc.
5. Anneal
6. Stretch/form into elongated diamonds
7. Anneal
8. Roll through mill to 23g or planish
9. Cut through end of link
10. Add a link
11. Fuse
12. Repeat
13. Pickle
14. Tumbler
15. Add clasp
Thanks again for sharing and the very clear possibility to see the fusing process 😁
@marenc9648 Thank you Maren! I’m glad it’s helpful to see exactly what the metal is doing!
Helpful video, as you covered lots of steps. (I’m a newbie)
@BlooStorm1 Thank you! And welcome to world of Argentium! If you’re a newbie to it then you are in for some fun! Thank you again for commenting!
Thanks for this video!! I just began using Argentium and have only forged some findings so far and haven't fused yet. It blows my mind how much easier Argentium is to work with! I may only work with.925 when doing repairs if necessary, since Sterling is touchier when soldering. Great job on your video!
@erinobrien8408 Thank you and welcome to the wonderous world of Argentium. I’ve been working with it since 2010 and have never looked back. It doesn’t work harden as quickly as 925, you can make an entire piece with added components and never have to solder. Faster to work with because there’s no clean up from the flux or solder, no worrying about previous joints coming undone. Thank you again for the kind words and comments! Stayed tuned, because there’s more in store for this video!
@@SonneCreations I can't wait for your next videos!!! Any more on Argentium? Is there another source for it in addition to Rio Grande? They have a very limited variety in their stock. That's where I've been purchasing it. Thanks again for sharing this with us all!!
@erinobrien8408 I buy all my Argentium from Riogrande. They are limited in the fancy bezel strips and ring sizing stock when it comes to the Argentium it’s true, but that might be on the manufacturer of Argentium from the UK and not necessarily on Riogrande. I looked on Etsy and if it can’t be found on Etsy at overinflated prices then it just doesn’t exisit. 😮 I have a lot of videos on Argentium, I work solely with Argentium or Fine Silver (for enameling) and the video quality has improved then. If you have access to a rolling mill, I think you’ll enjoy the next video. Be fearless when working with Argentium, the metal will give you enough warning to tell you that it’s had enough and is about to melt into a blob. 😊
I appreciate the closeup of the fusing process! What butane torch do you use to fuse with?
Thank you! I am using a little Blazer Torch. It’s good for pin point heating and on a Solderite board. Charcoal holds too much heat and you run the risk of melting. I also use a Sondiko butane torch head which uses a canister of butane camp fuel. Inexpensive to operate and REALLY good for bigger projects. I’ve gone through most soldering fuel options and I appreciate the simplicity and safety of the butane. About the only thing they aren’t good for is casting higher amounts of metal. Both of those torches are available on Amazon.
Tell me again what is the name of the larger butane torch? Thanks
@@wendyshaw6985 Thank you for comment! The larger twist on tip is a Sondiko and it fits onto a camp stove butane bottle. I really like it and it’s essentially replaced my Little Smith Torch dual gas torch, it puts out an incredible amount of heat. I also like the Blazer line of torches.
Where did you get your shears from… I have bought several at Rio Grande on my wholesale account but I have not found shears that cut that doesn’t require filing????
I just heard you say Swanson shears and I work with a lot of argentium, so yeah, right that pointy end will just end up fusing. But I thought I heard you say that when you cut into Xoe already V-shaped jump ring that the shears you used made them flushed to each other.??? so is it still the Swanson shears????
The Swanstrom shears leave a small notch which the Argentium absorbs as it fuses. If you’re not fusing use the super flush cutters instead.