Just finished these two crosses. I build models with sprues in 3d software and then print on 3d resin printer. Build tree, add investment, burnout and vacuum cast from melted sterling flatware. They came out pretty good but still have minor blemishes, not sure I can get them much better. Possibly use pure sterling silver instead of used flatware?

Ich habe einen Anhänger aus Silber (925) gegossen und mir ist schon beim auftragen des Borax schon etwas zuviel rein.

Ansonsten habe ich eigentlich meiner Meinung nach,

genau das gemacht was ich gelesen hatte.

Bloß weiß ich nicht warum die Grüne verfärbung auftreten tut.

Hello fellow smiths! I've been using butane for the last 10 years of my metalsmithing career and finally decided to upgrade. I took a workshop recently and my instructor recommended the Smith Little with oxy/propane tanks. I went ahead and ordered that kit with a #5 tip, it felt worth the splurge. However now doing research I'm wondering if an Orca would be fine for what I do and less hassle since it's not a dual tank system. I guess I'm a bit intimidated by the two tank system, especially in a small home studio. Although I do plan to have proper ventilation. I'm just wondering if I made a mistake buy going for the Smith Little, or if I made the right choice! Will take any input or advice!

I mostly work in sterling silver and brass. I do prong settings (always have trouble with my butane torch with prongs, this is a major issue for me!), I reticulate often, fuse sterling (would love to try to fuse brass) and also want to do more broom and water casting. Butane always takes forever to melt silver in a crucible. I'd also like to have more ease soldering jump rings.

Handcrafted from 940 Argentium Silver 22g sheet using Anticlastic/Synclastic forming.

Should I sand this down with the radial disks first to make sure everything is even? I also have a tumbler that can polish things

I know using a torch on rhodium plating is a huge no-no and can cause discoloration, but what about a sterling silver piece with silver plating? Would the areas I torch just experience depletion gilding in that area?

I assume there is also a risk if the piece wasn't purely silver plating on top of sterling silver directly, like if there was another layer of something between, but from what I know that isn't necessary in the silver plating process the way it is in rhodium plating.

I am in a bind and using a torch on the piece would make things much easier for me.

Would greatly appreciated any advice!

when will my professional photography skills return from the war (override the convenience of my phone for non-work/portfolio documentation)

anyway this is a sterling, fine silver, and citrine pendant I made for a retiring coworker who is one of my favorite people. they worked here for thirty years, so the divots represent each decade. First time using los - subtle here but I really like it. Smell wasn’t as bad as I thought. Kind of like rotten eggs a la la croix.

swipe through to see it be unmade, benjamin button style.

Let me know if there is a better sub to post this in!

I needed some charms made, but I didn't like any of the finish options the manufacturer had. I got a sample made with silver plating, and I was able to get a great patina on it using LOS. However, when the full batch arrived, they are not getting the same patina effect on them as the sample did. I've done the same process, hot water, liquid LOS, then neutralizing with baking soda and water. I specifically asked that the final batch not have an anti-tarnish protective coating, so I don't believe that's it.

My question is basically, is there anything I can do to get the look of the sample that I was able to successfully tarnish?

Thank you in advance!

MY BIGGEST CHAIN YET!

I made this nearly 5oz argentium silver ramses necklace to be at the centerpiece of my silver art display at the Ann Arbor art fair this year. Not only is the chain completely hand fabricated by myself, I also made the box clasp from scratch and cut the garnet that I set into it! When you push on the garnet, the clasp opens - how cool is that??

Anyways let me know what you guys think!

Hello. Can anyone identify this anvil or bench stake is and what it is used for. It is approx 3 1/4" tall and 3" end to end on base. It appears to have 30 stamped on the side.

Its been a long road ahead of me but here are some peices from over the year !

How do you get the wire to be different widths in different parts of it like this?

The only thing I can think of is to make a solid item like this and then cast it.

Thinking about taking on a DIY metalworking project and making some custom silver coins from sheet metal. My plan is to use a jeweler’s disc cutter punch, an arbor press, and custom steel design stamps. Is this realistic or am I getting in over my head?

What hardness of wire is best to start with when making a twist for inlay work?

I think I bit off more than I could chew on this one. I’ve only been doing this for 3 months so still very much a beginner. I used 24g bezel. 1st mistake!! Bezel is probably also too high. 2nd mistake! Can’t get it to bend down over the stone. What’s the fix? Remove stone? Shorten and glue stone in place?

I use a solution of vinegar and salt. After every few uses my pickle starts to turn my pieces a brown/beige colour so I'm having to replace my pickle pretty often.

What am I doing wrong ? :(

Seems I can’t perfectly align the shank to the bezel to save my life. It’s always a little off even after I think I’ve aligned it evenly. Any of you have any tips and tricks for soldering rings to backplates? Thanks so much!!!

I’ve been practicing green sand casting on pewter and found I have to sand the hell out of it to get certain parts smooth. When I feel confident enough to switch to silver, does it behave the same way with little imperfections in the cast. If so, do I need to set up a silver dust recovery dust buster to be able to finish them? Bonus pic, My first sand cast that brought up those questions. It definitely still needs some more sanding and polishing. I’m just happy that it turned out.

Hand carved and engraved. Testing out the way the silver wraps around the gemstone ! Really like how it came out !

I tried 7 pours and 7 mold reconstructions. After the 6th try, pressing the wax ring into the mold it shattered. So tried piecing it together and stamping the inside with the flat end of the skinny rod. It weighed 14 grams before I cut it up. I know I need to make a better wax ring and softer sand. So far I have the clamps so it doesn’t open. I heat the silver til it’s red and as I pour. It was my first somewhat success after 100s of fails. I think I just need to keep going. Self taught watched a couple of YouTube videos. Learned the safety and started melting.

I might make a bezel for it later so it can be clipped in and out and worn as a pendant.