<![CDATA[Cooksongold Jewellery Making Supplies Forum | Jewellery Making Forums | Craft Forums - Hot Metal ~ Gold, Silver & Metal Working]]> http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/ Cutting, sawing, shaping, heating, soldering, bending, casting, hammering, forging, forming and finishing metal. Whatever you call it ~ find it here… en Wed, 19 Jun 2013 11:44:51 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/images/misc/rss.png <![CDATA[Cooksongold Jewellery Making Supplies Forum | Jewellery Making Forums | Craft Forums - Hot Metal ~ Gold, Silver & Metal Working]]> http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/ Tube http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5102&goto=newpost Wed, 19 Jun 2013 10:58:09 GMT Someone has asked me to make a ring that really sparkles, and I am a bit stuck. She was looking at a moonstone, in a cabachon type setting, cant... Someone has asked me to make a ring that really sparkles, and I am a bit stuck. She was looking at a moonstone, in a cabachon type setting, cant think of an extremely sparkly stone other than a white topaz which she saw and said it wasnt sparkly enough. If I get a facetted cubic zirconia to give it sparkle it means it will have to be tube set, but I am having difficulty buying tube that big, 6.5mm inside diameter. I have tried to make it out of the strip with a shelf on it but it is quite hard to bend to a small size, has anyone any ideas where I can buy a short length of tube that size. Bellore do it but they have a minimum order so it wouldnt be cost effective as I dont intend making any more that size and at the moment I dont need anything else. ]]> Patstone http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5102 Disasters http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5098&goto=newpost Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:31:06 GMT I have just messed up a project which i now know was doomed from the start, it caused me so much frustration and pain that i wanted to quit right...
I have just messed up a project which i now know was doomed from the start, it caused me so much frustration and pain that i wanted to quit right there and then. I had a right old tantrum, threw a few things and generally screamed the house down, got angry with myself for being so stupid and felt utterly worthless :(|. It got me wondering when things go wrong for you guys, how do you react? Are there any cool calm cats out there who put it down to experience and serenely move on? Or do you act like a wildcat, lashing out, spitting fur and fury?
]]> http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5098 how can i colour silver, and how long will it last? http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5097&goto=newpost Wed, 12 Jun 2013 19:20:11 GMT hi, i have only been making jewellery for 6 months i am making some earings with blue topaz and would like the surround to be a grey colour, I only... hi, i have only been making jewellery for 6 months i am making some earings with blue topaz and would like the surround to be a grey colour, I only know how to use liver of sulphur to colour silver but are there any other methods? and how long does the colouring usually last? ]]> carrie http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5097 Soldering torch choices http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5093&goto=newpost Tue, 11 Jun 2013 16:26:39 GMT Ok my little cooks torch has given up the ghost (melted oops) but it lasted enough for only a fiver. It melted as i was trying to get a heavier D... Ok my little cooks torch has given up the ghost (melted oops) but it lasted enough for only a fiver. It melted as i was trying to get a heavier D shaped wire up to temperature..................it just wasn't up to the job.
I'm still constrained by budget but would appreciate your views on which torch is best, i have looked at this Proxxon one http://www.powertooldirect.co.uk/pro...e-p-78654.html but cousins also has a couple http://www.cousinsuk.com/catalog/equ...der-tec#select
I don't really understand why the prices differ so much and if there is much difference between the torches and if any of them will do the job............HELP (again, sorry) ]]> http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5093 <![CDATA[Radial Discs? I'm in love!!!!!]]> http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5084&goto=newpost Thu, 06 Jun 2013 21:21:11 GMT <3<3 so glad i got around to buying these! i just had a little play and it took me 10 mins to do what would have taken me hours before and that included putting them on the mandrels and switching between grades......WOO HOO! Good call guys
X ]]> http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5084 Piercing? http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5083&goto=newpost Thu, 06 Jun 2013 17:05:58 GMT Just wondering if this is done very much in the trade using Lasers? Looking at some of the hand sawn pieces here the amount of work involved must... Just wondering if this is done very much in the trade using Lasers?

Looking at some of the hand sawn pieces here the amount of work involved must be huge! so it got me to thinking if anybody uses a laser to do it?

best wishes

Dave ]]> Exsecratio http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5083 Just out of interest http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5081&goto=newpost Wed, 05 Jun 2013 21:26:59 GMT Do any of you out there prefer to leave the protective film on the silver when piercing? Do any of you out there prefer to leave the protective film on the silver when piercing? ]]> http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5081 bending joints in metal http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5074&goto=newpost Sat, 01 Jun 2013 16:15:08 GMT I've been pondering how to do this for ages and was going to wait until I had more time to work it out but a commission enquiry has prompted me to at least look into it in more detail, even if I end up not taking it.

Someone has asked me if I can make a bangle which locks around the wrist with a screw. They intend for it to be worn 24/7 so I don't think there would be an issue with screw threads in silver. They want it to be as simple and discreet as possible. But I don't think that at that length it could just be bent around like I do my collars, especially because the need for a screw would mean that there needs to be a significant bit of metal for it to bite into.

The most obvious way to do this would be to have two lapping joints, both of which close with a screw. If I cut the joints first then they will be straight but bending will deform them and if I bend first then I'm not sure I will be able to create a good enough fit of the joints.

I did wonder about forming two rings with one sitting snuggly inside the other then soldering them together but leaving solder away from two sections (using tippex?) and cutting through the top one and then the bottom one but a staggered cut and then finishing off the soldering up to the lapped ends with the two pieces separately. But then I thought that might be a really stupid way of doing it and there must be a better way!

So, any suggestions on making a seamless but opening circle of silver?

and if anyone actually fancies this commission, let me know because I honestly don't think I have time. ]]> medusa http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5074 Best place for hallmarking grade silver solder http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5073&goto=newpost Sat, 01 Jun 2013 13:43:38 GMT Cookies seems pretty expensive anyone got any site recommendations? Low postage would be a bonus looked on rashbels, kernow and palmers x should... Cookies seems pretty expensive anyone got any site recommendations? Low postage would be a bonus looked on rashbels, kernow and palmers
x
should probably add i'm looking for hard and easy strip or rod doesn't have to be a long length reckon 10cm would keep me going for a while ]]> http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5073 This is really a bit of begging for advice from member Goldsmith http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5068&goto=newpost Fri, 31 May 2013 12:40:36 GMT Hi James & anyone else who can help :D
Ok probably getting way ahead of myself here but i want to ATTEMPT (eek) to make a silver lily, with each petal being about 4.5 cm in length. I want to attach this to a band towards the side (yup circlets again).
What kind of thickness do you suggest for the silver sheet? It's sort of in my head to kind of fold form the petals separately, i want wobbly edges around the tip of the petal.
Am i mad? Has anyone got any advice about any part of this, even if it is to talk me out of trying :rofl:
Thanks guys
Tasha
X ]]> http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5068 ADVICE NEEDED Has anyone got the Cooksongold 3llb metal barrelling machine? http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5066&goto=newpost Thu, 30 May 2013 16:57:17 GMT What can i really expect from it? I have a very small budget but i'm sick to death of hand polishing fiddly little bits :(|
If i put in pieces with textures will it polish them out or just shine them up nicely? Also if anyone has seen the picture of my very first circlet (half) would that fit in as a whole piece on it's own before the smaller wires and crystals etc are added? (it would just be the textured band with the soldered on piercings) and does it work harden the pieces as this would be a massive help
Thanks in advance
Tasha ]]> http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5066 Electrum http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5059&goto=newpost Sat, 25 May 2013 05:42:16 GMT I'm curious about electrum -I'd love to make something with it but no idea where to get and how would it be hallmarked? can it be hallmarked? ]]> pearlescence http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5059 Safety pickle from cooksons http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5055&goto=newpost Fri, 24 May 2013 13:45:58 GMT Does anyone know what the safety pickle from cookies is? it says it's food grade so i was wondering if it was citric acid rather than alum. Also do you need to use a glass bowl inside a slow cooker if you are using safety pickle or is it less likely to corrode the ceramic as quickly?
Cheers guys
Tasha
x ]]> http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5055 Silver scrap http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5053&goto=newpost Wed, 22 May 2013 13:53:09 GMT I have melted my scrap to make pendants with quite easily, but as I watched someone put some scrap and make a ring with it by melting it. I thought... I have melted my scrap to make pendants with quite easily, but as I watched someone put some scrap and make a ring with it by melting it. I thought why not make a bangle with it, so I melted a line of scrap, which when melted was about 8 inches long and quite solid looking, so I gently tried to bend it in my hands and it broke in three places, and looked white inside.
I was contemplating buying a durston at some time in the future to enable me to use my scrap by melting it down and rolling it to use as sheet. Is this just a dream or can you actually do this, for some reason I do seem to get a lot of scrap. ]]> Patstone http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5053 <![CDATA[reflections & finish]]> http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5052&goto=newpost Wed, 22 May 2013 10:35:53 GMT I want to use reflections for my acid etch pendants. The pendants can't really be cleaned after manufacturer due to inclusions of seed pearls. An intrinsic part of the design is the matt whiteness you get from sterling. Will I still be able to build up a layer of fine silver on the surface of reflections silver?

Sarah ]]> sheepy http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5052