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Post by drocknut on Nov 18, 2015 11:10:27 GMT -5
It's about time for me to go to Quartzsite and I hope to do some more silversmithing. I don't have any supplies as in silver sheet or solder. I know I want to try making a prong setting ring or even just a ring pendant set. I don't have a lot of money so have to keep cost down. Last year I just took two classes and they came with kits.. I was not too keen in the bezel wire they provided so I would want something different. Keep in mind I only have basic skills. Anyone have any recommendations for me?
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supplies
Nov 18, 2015 12:35:29 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by Pat on Nov 18, 2015 12:35:29 GMT -5
There are lots of ways to set a stone, not just prongs or bezel wire.
I think it is Lexi Erickson who has a vide?/text lesson on that. Just looking at her pieces will give you other ideas for settings. Google Lexi Erickson. She has lots of videos.
Soham Harrison has many excellent videos for metal smiths. He is on YouTube.
One more thing: if you want to buy prong settings, go to Tripps.com. They have the most and a wide selection. Website is awful. Call and ask for paper catalog.
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micellular
has rocks in the head
Rock fever is curable with more rocks.
Member since September 2015
Posts: 640
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Post by micellular on Nov 19, 2015 11:08:36 GMT -5
Super helpful, Pat! Thanks for the recommendations.
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Post by drocknut on Nov 20, 2015 10:44:40 GMT -5
Thanks for the information Pat. I was actually going to try to make a prong setting since I would have access to silversmithing equipment. I also want to do another bezel setting but haven't decided on a ring or a pendant or something else. I was hoping to find out what would be the best silver sheet, soldier, and bezel wire to buy on a budget so I'd appreciate any ideas.
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Don
Cave Dweller
He wants you too, Malachi.
Member since December 2009
Posts: 2,616
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Post by Don on Nov 20, 2015 11:01:49 GMT -5
Thanks for the information Pat. I was actually going to try to make a prong setting since I would have access to silversmithing equipment. I also want to do another bezel setting but haven't decided on a ring or a pendant or something else. I was hoping to find out what would be the best silver sheet, soldier, and bezel wire to buy on a budget so I'd appreciate any ideas. for small projects, 22g or 24 gauge sterling sheet for backs is fine. get plain fine silver bezel wire in a width you think you'll use the most. you can always cut it down smaller, but it's a lot harder to make it wider. 3/32" or 3/16", 28 or 26 gauge. I wouldn't get the 1/4", it's too wide for most projects. If you can only have 1 solder, get hard solder and use it for all your joins. Otherwise if your budget allows get hard medium and soft solders. You'll want some wire for making ring shanks, I like the heavy 8ga D wire, but a smaller gauge half round would do fine as well. you might want a small qty of 18-20ga round wire for jump rings.
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Mark K
Cave Dweller
Member since April 2012
Posts: 2,600
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Post by Mark K on Nov 20, 2015 15:36:45 GMT -5
It's back in the 1800's and a mine owner is hiring new workers. A German steps up and says, "I can pick gold faster than any man alive." The owner hires him on the spot.
A Russian wanders up and says, "I can load gold faster than any man alive." The owner can't believe his good fortune and hires this man too.
A Chinese man walks up and asks for a job. The owner is so elated about hiring the other two men he says, "Well, if these other two men work as good as they say I won't need any more help, but I'll put you in charge of supplies."
The next day the owner goes and checks on his new workers, and sure enough, the German is picking gold at an unbelievable rate.
The Russian is loading it as fast as the other workers can haul it out.
He looks around and can't find the Chinese man anywhere.
He begins to walk around the mine to find him and just as he rounds a dark corner the Asian jumps out from behind a rock and yells, "SUPPLIES!"
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zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
Member since December 2005
Posts: 1,791
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Post by zarguy on Nov 20, 2015 16:19:17 GMT -5
When I saw the thread title, I thought of that same joke. Lynn
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Post by drocknut on Nov 20, 2015 17:31:05 GMT -5
Thanks Don, I appreciate the recommendations. Do you use hard wire for the shanks or does it work with 1/2 hard? (ok, no jokes about being 1/2 hard please...geez, kids).
Mark all I can say is BOOOOOOOO - that is a bad joke.
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ol3m3
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since September 2006
Posts: 85
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Post by ol3m3 on Nov 20, 2015 18:52:26 GMT -5
Two half day classes? Have you done any additional work on your own since then, if not then a prong set ring from scratch might be a little advanced for your current skill set. Might be best if you talk the project over with your teacher and ask for their recommendations on your next steps in silver smithing.
To simplify the project you could get a premade prong head and ring shank material from Rio Grande Jewelers supply.
An alternative if you are at the Quartzsite gem club would be to cast your ring, as of a couple of years back they had a lot of prong set waxes.
hope this helps
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Don
Cave Dweller
He wants you too, Malachi.
Member since December 2009
Posts: 2,616
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Post by Don on Nov 20, 2015 19:43:31 GMT -5
Thanks Don, I appreciate the recommendations. Do you use hard wire for the shanks or does it work with 1/2 hard? (ok, no jokes about being 1/2 hard please...geez, kids). Mark all I can say is BOOOOOOOO - that is a bad joke. Temper doesn't matter, it's all dead soft after soldering.
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Post by drocknut on Nov 21, 2015 1:35:37 GMT -5
Two half day classes? Have you done any additional work on your own since then, if not then a prong set ring from scratch might be a little advanced for your current skill set. Might be best if you talk the project over with your teacher and ask for their recommendations on your next steps in silver smithing. To simplify the project you could get a premade prong head and ring shank material from Rio Grande Jewelers supply. An alternative if you are at the Quartzsite gem club would be to cast your ring, as of a couple of years back they had a lot of prong set waxes. hope this helps Thanks for the info. No, I haven't done any work on my own. I don't have a teacher right now but will be talking to the instructors at the gem club. I didn't realize how advanced a prong setting would be from scratch so thanks for giving me a heads up on that. I'll check into the premade prong head. I am going to be at the gem club in Quartzsite so will look into taking the casting class although last year it was pretty hard to get a spot.
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Post by drocknut on Nov 21, 2015 1:37:02 GMT -5
Thanks Don, I appreciate the recommendations. Do you use hard wire for the shanks or does it work with 1/2 hard? (ok, no jokes about being 1/2 hard please...geez, kids). Mark all I can say is BOOOOOOOO - that is a bad joke. Temper doesn't matter, it's all dead soft after soldering. Good to know, thanks again.
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