|
Post by toiv0 on Aug 10, 2015 20:28:36 GMT -5
Its been awhile since I've read that book, hardly remember much of it though as I am still recovering from the 70s.
|
|
grizman
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since July 2011
Posts: 878
|
Post by grizman on Aug 10, 2015 21:54:55 GMT -5
I really like that look. I am never going to be able to try something like that, but I sure do like seeing what you have accomplished with the rustic look.
|
|
quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,341
|
Post by quartz on Aug 11, 2015 0:21:07 GMT -5
Nice pieces, got a wow from both of us. Carol and I are both partial to pushing on the confines of a box.
|
|
jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,165
|
Post by jamesp on Aug 11, 2015 13:30:46 GMT -5
Go burnt edges ! no filing, smooth texture, looks great.
|
|
|
Post by talkingstones on Aug 11, 2015 16:15:17 GMT -5
Boy do I feel stupid!!! Is there any way to tag someone in thee posts? Hey ADAM!!! I have no idea what I was thinking on those ID's for the first two stones!!!! First is a Boulder Opal I got a while ago from Roy and the expand is Wonderstone!!!! Sorry for the confusion!!!! Been a crazy month with rocks for me! Lol!!!
|
|
|
Post by Bluesky78987 on Aug 12, 2015 10:52:01 GMT -5
Those are great! Beautiful work. Do you mind telling the procedure for burning the edges?
|
|
jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,165
|
Post by jamesp on Aug 12, 2015 15:47:31 GMT -5
Cut edges can be done. This took cut about 10 seconds with a $400 plasma cutter. Will cut copper, brass, silver. No skill. Copper on German silver
|
|
|
Post by talkingstones on Aug 12, 2015 19:27:33 GMT -5
Thanks Jamesp! On these I just used my torch and no real skill required either. You can cut the entire piece out of the metal sheet with a torch, Bluesky. Basically that way, you either draw the shape on or go freehand and actually cut the metal with the torch. I did not do it that way. I cut the backing out with my saw first, sanded to 400 because I wanted a rough finish on the inside of the edging,so I could get the edges to a stand out shine. Then, I just went around the edges until the started to ball and curl. When the portion I was working on was where I wanted, I moved on. I quenched, pickled and and cleaned. From there, I set the bezels and then the bails. Then polished, set stones and final polishing. From what I understand you can get distortion and have to flatten the backing but I didn't run into that. I'm using oxy/acetelyne Smith's Little Torch and it handled it fine!
James, what you have going there looks cool too but for these I wanted a more molten/lava like look. Especially with the Boulder Opal and Wonder Stone. Just kind of echoes what's going on in the stones and that's what I was going for.
Anyway, hope this helps!!!
Thanks!
Carhy
|
|
|
Post by Bluesky78987 on Aug 12, 2015 19:31:13 GMT -5
Thanks Cathy! Such a cool look.
|
|
39don
starting to spend too much on rocks
https://www.etsy.com/shop/DonsLapidaryArts
Member since February 2012
Posts: 225
|
Post by 39don on Aug 12, 2015 19:56:20 GMT -5
This burning the edges on your copper mountings is what I call a controlled meltdown. I have not had any of the controlled so to speak but have had experience on how to continue a controlled meltdown. Years ago, 2012, I was soldering a bezel for a cab to a base plate and before I realized it had over heated on me. The bezel had melted to the base plate and I was ticked off to no end. When I regained my normal good thoughts I realized there was enough bezel left I could still be able to set the cab so I continued to complete the ring. A lady in our Rock Club liked it so much she purchased it. This is the ring......... Don
|
|
|
Post by talkingstones on Aug 12, 2015 20:35:36 GMT -5
Nice set on that stone, Don! Really right and smooth at the top!!!! And yes, kind of the same thing only not joining. Don't know that I could produce a join like that without completely blowing through the bezel!!! Really works with that stone too!!!!
|
|
Tom
fully equipped rock polisher
My dad Tom suddenly passed away yesterday, Just wanted his "rock" family to know.
Member since January 2013
Posts: 1,557
|
Post by Tom on Aug 12, 2015 22:53:46 GMT -5
Cathy those are totally awesome! I must try this burnt edge trick, very nice.
Tom
|
|
jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,165
|
Post by jamesp on Aug 13, 2015 7:29:48 GMT -5
This is a pile of experiments. Used the arc welder to bead the edges of the stainless pieces. Perfected the arc welder method of melt beaded edges on stainless. Saving time on filed/ground edges. Arc welder makes fast work of such. Not sure how it could be dialed in an copper, silver and brasses. Using a brass rod on brass/copper rod on copper/ silver on silver may work like a charm. Electro-melting is a fairly unexplored jewelry making process. Melt is instant, quite controllable. -Must wear eye protection- These were arc welder melted out of a large sheet of perforated stainless at a rate of about one minute per piece. And then bulk tumbled. Sold well at urban shops in Atlanta. This one ready for the tumbler Thinner material has much smaller discrete beads. Looking more like torch work. Less botryoidal . Above example burned a bit too hot, arc welder needed to be dialed a bit cooler for smoother beads. Arc welder very controllable.
|
|
|
Post by talkingstones on Aug 13, 2015 15:57:44 GMT -5
Interesting James! I'm just starting to look at welding as an option but think it will be a while before I get into anything like that. Worked at brazing this passed weekend and had a hoot with that though. At this point it's just getting to see the different techniques and what they do. Definitely cool to see this though!!!
|
|
jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,165
|
Post by jamesp on Aug 13, 2015 22:18:27 GMT -5
Interesting James! I'm just starting to look at welding as an option but think it will be a while before I get into anything like that. Worked at brazing this passed weekend and had a hoot with that though. At this point it's just getting to see the different techniques and what they do. Definitely cool to see this though!!! Many effects can be created depending on size/type wire you clamp in to fuse to the bezel or surface. Fine wires can have delicate effects. Graphite can cut or drill holes with a melted smooth edge. Different metal wires can be used to fuse various metals to the bezel. Rarely see anyone using an arc machine on jewelry. Brazing is like soldering, does not come easy to many(me).
|
|
|
Post by talkingstones on Aug 14, 2015 13:52:25 GMT -5
Well, I'm just getting a little knowledge on braising and welding at this point. First tastes of both but good to know about at this point. Soldering took a long time for me to get any kind of handle on but has really been worth it!!!! Just a matter of getting comfortable with the torch and working stuff through. I think it's like anything. If you stick to it you start to get a feel for it.
|
|
jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,165
|
Post by jamesp on Aug 15, 2015 11:20:15 GMT -5
Well, I'm just getting a little knowledge on braising and welding at this point. First tastes of both but good to know about at this point. Soldering took a long time for me to get any kind of handle on but has really been worth it!!!! Just a matter of getting comfortable with the torch and working stuff through. I think it's like anything. If you stick to it you start to get a feel for it. Of all jewelry skills the soldering seems to be the biggest challenge. Only experience can improve, to the point it helps to stay active to stay in tune with it. Looks like you have stuck it out and have a great handle on it.
|
|
jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,165
|
Post by jamesp on Aug 16, 2015 8:23:25 GMT -5
LOL. I have a complex about soldering. Been a welder most of my life and cannot solder two copper pipes together. VERY embarrassed. Don't tell. Even bought tiny solid rivets to make connections on jewelry. And stick to anvil work, wrapping and melting. Well enough, a market exists for such.
|
|
|
Post by talkingstones on Aug 16, 2015 19:13:58 GMT -5
It does and for soldered pieces too. I've been working with Conrock for quite a while, over a year and a half I'd say, and it's taken me this long to get comfortable enough to start playing with it. Prior to these it was really a struggle!!!!!! I do wire wrapping as well, but that came more easily. My view of it is that the more I know how to do, the more options I have for getting the exact setting I want for the stones. Probably will never be able to do everything that I want to and still have a lot to learn with the soldering, but little by little, I'll get there! ?
|
|
jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,165
|
Post by jamesp on Aug 17, 2015 7:41:56 GMT -5
connrock can solder two pieces of teflon together. Great teacher.
|
|