Titanium soldering clamps update

[Goldsmith]

Just a quick note to let you know that Cooksongold have reduced the price of the Knew Concepts titanium strips for making the soldering clamps, they are now £19.20 including VAT for 10 strips, see; http://www.cooksongold.com/Jewellery-Tools/Knew-Concepts-Titanium-Soldering---Clamp-Set-prcode-997-3318

I made up this photo sheet showing what shapes I made and their uses and posted them on Facebook and got a good response. Some on this forum may find it useful.

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James

[Sheen]

What did you use to cut them to shape? I suspect I wouldn’t be able to make them even though I like the idea a lot.

[Dennis]

The beauty of them is that they can be cut with a 2/0 saw blade and bent with ordinary pliers. A file will tidy them if required.
As they don't stick to solder, or conduct heat well, they really are ideal.
The only drawback is that having bought a pack, most of us are too lazy to make them and would rather struggle on as before.
There's a niche market for someone willing to make them up for sale. Dennis.

[Goldsmith]

What did you use to cut them to shape? I suspect I wouldn’t be able to make them even though I like the idea a lot.

I used my piercing saw with size 0 vallorbe blades and then I used my standard files to shape the points.

These standard shaped clamps are also useful for a lot of jobs.

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James

[CJ57]

The beauty of them is that they can be cut with a 2/0 saw blade and bent with ordinary pliers. A file will tidy them if required.
As they don't stick to solder, or conduct heat well, they really are ideal.
The only drawback is that having bought a pack, most of us are too lazy to make them and would rather struggle on as before.
There's a niche market for someone willing to make them up for sale. Dennis.

You are right Dennis, I bought it in sheet form the first time James brought it up and then I was too lazy to cut it up. A packet of strips might just get me there

[china]

You can also use a bench grinder to shape them

[Goldsmith]

Just to add to my original posting, I sometimes roll down the shop sold strips to make thinner soldering clamps which are better for some jobs. The first photo shows my rolled down strips made into clamps and the second photo shows the clamps I made from the strips as sold by Cookson.

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James

[SICraftDesigns]

I like these a lot and I think I'll probably make a set for an upcoming project I'm planning. I see that Ti sheet can be bought relatively inexpensively on Ebay so I'll probably order some of that and cut it to thickness with some tin snips before bending / filing to finished shape/

[Dennis]

It is a pretty hard metal and even if heavy duty shears succeed, the results will be twisted. A piecing saw is the tool of choice. Dennis.

[misspond]

I have to confess that I've been thinking about buying a set of these for a while, was seduced by the lowered price and have bought a set. Bending a couple of them with pliers was nice and easy so now I'll shape a couple with my saw and get them ready to use. The rest I'll form as and when I need them.

[SICraftDesigns]

It is a pretty hard metal and even if heavy duty shears succeed, the results will be twisted. A piecing saw is the tool of choice. Dennis.

I've cut Titanium sheet before using the shears but I must confess it wasn't a thin slice like this so you're right - it would probably curl up which is something I hadn't considered. Failing that the angle grinder makes pretty sparks on Titanium although probably a bit much for thin sheet!

[Goldsmith]

I just checked and Cooksons have now increased their price for the Knew concepts titanium strips and they are now out of stock. H.S.Walsh also sell them.

I have been making these types of soldering clamps for decades now, before I was introduced to using titanium I used stainless steel sheet to make them. If you check the Knewconcepts website;http://knewconcepts.com/TitaniumClamps.php you will see that they got the idea for soldering clamps from me, it was Lee Marshall that suggested using titanium strips for the clamps, he sent me some, I tried them and was impressed with the results when using them.

James

[eekoh]

Back in stock today at Cooksons, I've just ordered a set this afternoon. :)

[Sheen]

An alternative to titanium clamps, soldering tweezers set, not quite as good but requires no work with saw or angle grinder
http://www.cooksongold.com/Jewellery-Tools/Soldering-Tweezers-Kit-Set-Of-8-prcode-999-096Z&query=Soldering%20tweezers&channel=uk

[china]

They are a alternative but at a similar price the titanium is much more versatile

[CJ57]

I'm not sure I've ever successfully managed to use my third hand, it's never quite at the correct angle or in the right place if you've got something quite complicated. I usually wire everything up so can't wait on the strips to arrive. They were ordered with my prize when out of stock as a back order, no doubt they'll make me pay the new price

[enigma]

Thats funny Caroline as it just shows how we are all so individual- I use mine all the time and never wire anything up.
I use gravity a lot too actually.

[CJ57]

Thats funny Caroline as it just shows how we are all so individual- I use mine all the time and never wire anything up.
I use gravity a lot too actually.
We were taught to binding wire everything, I don't remember third hands in the dept. I use gravity a lot as I've got lazier with age and everything sits on a zig zag of heavy binding wire to lift it of the brick.

[theresa]

This should help you - it's from Knewconcepts
https://www.facebook.com/KnewConcepts/videos/947250392107595/?fref=gs&dti=1613844545570323&hc_location=group

[eekoh]

Mine arrived today and I've wasted no time in trying them out for the first time this afternoon - they're brilliant! Easy to bend into the right shape and worked perfectly to hold my components in place from start to finish. :)

[Dennis]

Your doing great, but wouldn't be more friendly to call you Eve, or whatever? Dennis.

[Dennis]

This should help you - it's from Knewconcepts
https://www.facebook.com/KnewConcepts/videos/947250392107595/?fref=gs&dti=1613844545570323&hc_location=group

Thanks Theresa, that's really useful. Dennis.

[eekoh]

Dennis - you can call me Hazel if you like.

Regards,
Hazel :~:

[Dennis]

Yes let's all do that. It's more sociable.

[CJ57]

I'm sure you've been renamed Brian on another post Dennis, not sure it suits you. Caroline

[Dennis]

I'm sure you've been renamed Brian on another post Dennis, not sure it suits you. Caroline

I fancy Barney Rubble actually.

[CJ57]

I fancy Barney Rubble actually.

Is that Barney T Rubble :)