nancyid
has rocks in the head
No stone goes unturned.
Member since January 2009
Posts: 563
|
Post by nancyid on Feb 12, 2010 20:10:50 GMT -5
I did this in copper & silver. I really butchered it up trying over and over to solder a copper bezel to the copper backing plate. I finally gave up and tried a silver bezel onto the copper and that worked. I think my little torch is not hot enough to do the copper.  ? The stone is Owyhee stuff that also broke when I was cabbing. Anyway with allthat happened I came up with this. Thanks for looking  ![]() nwileystudios.com/rocks/cripple creek_cop-silv.jpg[/img] |
|
|
|
Post by NatureNut on Feb 12, 2010 20:25:06 GMT -5
Oh Nancy. Oh Nancy.
|
|
|
|
Post by rockmanken on Feb 12, 2010 21:14:10 GMT -5
Looks great. I like the distressed copper.
I have soldered copper with copper and with just a butane torch. Probably should have used acid core solder instead of silver solder.
Ken
|
|
|
|
Post by morerockspleaz on Feb 12, 2010 21:37:50 GMT -5
That is one beautiful setting and stone. You are doing a great job.
BeLinda
|
|
NDK
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
|
Post by NDK on Feb 12, 2010 21:48:26 GMT -5
Looks great from here!
Nate
|
|
catskillrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2008
Posts: 1,270
|
Post by catskillrocks on Feb 12, 2010 22:07:08 GMT -5
Another beauty, Nancy. Looking forward to more of these.
Don
|
|
nancyid
has rocks in the head
No stone goes unturned.
Member since January 2009
Posts: 563
|
Post by nancyid on Feb 12, 2010 22:11:49 GMT -5
Looks great. I like the distressed copper. I have soldered copper with copper and with just a butane torch. Probably should have used acid core solder instead of silver solder. Ken Hey Ken! What is acid core solder? Is that the regular (whatever that is) soft kind? Is it lead or ? Like the kind used to solder pipes? I am using a small butane torch. Supposedly reaches 1350 degrees. Hubby has a acetylene torch but I would really like to be able to use te little butane torch. Maybe a hotter one? I've seen some that go to 2300-2500. I am really enjotying do this but the soldering is making me crazy! Sometimes it works right off other times it takes forever, recleaning and redoing. Sigh. P.S. I got the little bezel pusher/rocker/prong set from Rio. I think it will work nicely once I get the hang of it. |
|
|
|
Post by montanamuskrat on Feb 13, 2010 2:13:50 GMT -5
Nice work Nancy - we are taking jewelery classes so we can start making silver jewelery. I see a lot of great work on this site and you are adding to it. Hope we will be as good.
Debby & Tom
|
|
Haleysdream
has rocks in the head
K-9 unit Rock Hounds
Member since January 2010
Posts: 654
|
Post by Haleysdream on Feb 13, 2010 9:07:39 GMT -5
Very beautiful work & stone.
|
|
|
|
Post by sitnwrap on Feb 13, 2010 9:46:34 GMT -5
The copper and silver sets off the stone beautifully. I love the whole look along with the ribbon you chose for the necklace part.
|
|
|
|
Post by frane on Feb 13, 2010 20:51:41 GMT -5
That looks amazing! I think with all your trials with it, you can't see just how amazing that piece is. You did a fantastic job!
Fran
|
|
|
|
Post by superioragates on Feb 13, 2010 21:12:51 GMT -5
Well...I think it's gorgeous....but that's me!! LOL
|
|
|
|
Post by Bikerrandy on Feb 14, 2010 16:08:49 GMT -5
That's cool!!  |
|
|
|
Post by rockmanken on Feb 14, 2010 20:08:32 GMT -5
Nancy, the solder is the kind you get to solder copper water pipes. It has the flux built in. It melts at a lower temperature so the butane torch will work fine. It is 60/40 lead and something else with flux in the core.
Ken
|
|
|
|
Post by Woodyrock on Feb 15, 2010 3:16:16 GMT -5
Nancy:
The usual culprit when pieces will not join is either dirt, oil, or oxide. The sneeky one is your solder not being clean. If neither piece will flow solder it is almost always the solder. If only one piece does not flow, then that piece needs cleaning. If I touch a piece of silver with my bare hands I will guarantee that piece will not solder.
The combination of silver, and copper is just right for the colouration in the cab, nice job!
Woody
|
|
|
|
Post by Toad on Feb 15, 2010 10:12:51 GMT -5
Looks great.
|
|
|
|
Post by Bejewelme on Feb 17, 2010 12:59:14 GMT -5
WOW that is very nice Nancy I love the design, it was worth the trouble you had. Did you make the necklace and wrap the strands together as well?
|
|
Saskrock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2007
Posts: 1,852
|
Post by Saskrock on Feb 19, 2010 11:34:07 GMT -5
Very nice Nancy. I love the design.
|
|
|
|
Post by susand24224 on Feb 20, 2010 3:55:07 GMT -5
I agree with all of Woody's comments. I don't know what you tried, but some suggestions are, go in a straight line down to "flow," and clean your sodder with steel wool right before you sodder. I saw people succeed with cutting and applying small pieces of sodder to joints prior to heating, but it never worked for me. Copper is difficult to do because of the rapid oxidation, and if you successfully got through the silver combination (which has its own foibles) your probably will have no problem with copper to copper with a little adjustment in technique.
|
|
nancyid
has rocks in the head
No stone goes unturned.
Member since January 2009
Posts: 563
|
Post by nancyid on Feb 21, 2010 11:24:15 GMT -5
WOW that is very nice Nancy I love the design, it was worth the trouble you had. Did you make the necklace and wrap the strands together as well? Hi Amber Thanks! Yes I did the necklace too. It is saude type stuff and I wrapped it with alternating silver & copper wire at even intervals and made the clasp out of copper. |
|
? The stone is Owyhee stuff that also broke when I was cabbing. Anyway with allthat happened I came up with this. 
