Make a Textured Bracelet using Fretz Hammers

Have you got yourself a Fretz texturing hammer or are you you looking to buy one?

In this project, we show you how to make your very own textured bracelet using Fretz jewellers’ hammers.

Step One

Take the silver discs and place on a heat proof brick. Using a hand blow torch heat up each disc until annealed. 

Step Two

When slightly cool quench each disc in water using tweezers to hold and add to a warm pickle. 

Step Three

When clean and dry place the first disc on a steel block  

Strike the silver disc using the hammer to create a texture, you can add as much or as little texture as you like. 

You may wish to practice using the hammers on a piece of copper sheet first. 

Step Four

When all discs have been textured mark a dot on either side of the disc. 

Place a centrepunch on the dot and strike the top of the centrepunch lightly using a hammer to make a mark. 

You may want to create a paper template to mark out the dots. 

Step Five

Use a bow drill or pendant drill to drill a hole where the mark from the centrepunch is. 

Step Six

Open a jumpring by gripping either side with flat nose/chain nose or snipe nose pliers and twisting in opposite directions. 

Thread the jumpring through the hole of one disc and add another disc on the other side. Ensure that the texture on both disc is facing the same way up. 

Close the jumpring by gripping either side with flat nose/chain nose or snipe nose pliers and twisting in opposite directions inwards to close and align. 

Repeat this process adding discs until you have your desired length 

Step Seven

Take your larger jumpring and Close the jumpring by gripping either side with flat nose/chain nose or snipe nose pliers and twisting in opposite directions inwards to close and align. 

Step Eight

Place this jumpring on a heat proof brick and add a small amount of solder paste to the join. Heat the jumpring evenly until the solder melts and flow. 

When slightly cool quench each disc in water using tweezers to hold and add to a warm pickle. 

Step Nine

When clean and dry place the jumpring on a steel block and add texture using one of the Fretz hammers. This jumpring will make the end loop for your catch to fasten to. 

At either end of you disc bracelet use jumprings to attach the end loop and lobster clasp.

Step Ten

Using a third hand and reverse action tweezers hold each jumpring in you bracelet and add a small amount of solder paste to the jumpring join.

Heat the jumpring using your blow torch until the solder melts and flows, then leave to cool slightly before quenching in water.

Repeat this process until all the jumpring rings are soldered and add to a warm pickle to clean. 

Step Eleven

Use platinol to oxidise the bracelet. Carefully follow the instructions.  

Use emery paper or wire wool to rub away the top surface of the discs and reveal the texture. 

Use a polishing cloth or tumble polisher to add extra shine to the bracelet should you wish. 

Final Textured Bracelet

And that’s it! You’ve created a beautiful textured bracelet. If you need more guidance, follow our video. We hope you enjoyed making your Textured Bracelet. If you have any questions or want to know more, get in touch with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. We’d also love to see what you’ve been making so please share pictures of your creations with us too, tagging Cooksongold.

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