Dennis
24-09-2018, 08:48 AM
When a new member asked for help in making a belcher chain bracelet, I was sufficiently intrigued to try it for myself https://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9529&highlight=belcher.
After various experiments, I settled for Argentium silver, using the dimensions given below, to produce something durable, but avoid firescale from the repeated annealing and soldering required.
Cutting short strips of plain and textured metal, I first made them into rings and then used a doming plate to tamp them down into a rounded shape. The original video shows them tapped with a hammer and a large punch, but I found the pressure easier to control utilising the reducing function at the base of my ring stretcher as a mini arbour press.
Gentle pressure and frequent annealing were required
Alternate units were then cut, linked and re-soldered. Finally wire rings and a hook fastener were added to complete the bracelet.
The video calls it Erbsenkette. That’s German for pea chain. Quite appropriate I think.
Argentium silver, rolled down to 0.45mm, some textured and some left plain, cut into 25 strips, 35.0 x 6.0 mm.
After various experiments, I settled for Argentium silver, using the dimensions given below, to produce something durable, but avoid firescale from the repeated annealing and soldering required.
Cutting short strips of plain and textured metal, I first made them into rings and then used a doming plate to tamp them down into a rounded shape. The original video shows them tapped with a hammer and a large punch, but I found the pressure easier to control utilising the reducing function at the base of my ring stretcher as a mini arbour press.
Gentle pressure and frequent annealing were required
Alternate units were then cut, linked and re-soldered. Finally wire rings and a hook fastener were added to complete the bracelet.
The video calls it Erbsenkette. That’s German for pea chain. Quite appropriate I think.
Argentium silver, rolled down to 0.45mm, some textured and some left plain, cut into 25 strips, 35.0 x 6.0 mm.