Flush set ring - feedback and advice pls

Hello everyone,

So I thought I'd have a go at flush setting. After practicing on a piece of flat copper I dived in with a silver band ring.
My first mistake was that I forgot to anneal it again after forming the ring and the metal wouldn't move over! Annealed it and made a bigger hole for a different stone (the sapphire) and seem to have salvaged the situation.

Other than practice, any tips on how you keep the setting looking neat? I used radials to tidy up but before that it was a scratch fest!

Also, as Dennis mentioned in a previous post, keeping the depth the same for each stone is a real challenge; as is getting the little blighters to sit flat and not tilt as they go in.

All feedback welcome x

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You may find this thread useful:
https://www.cooksongold.com/forum/sh...=gypsy+setting

The main thing is getting the hole exactly the right size and depth in the first place.

Thanks Sarah, very useful links. I shall keep practicing :)

Ha Ha, once you have your first result, you will get better quite quickly. As Sarah has said: get the hole exactly right and the table flush. The stone should fit so well that it won't drop out when turned upside down.
A batch of stones might have enough variations to find one with a better fit.
Then use only tiny movements and firm pressure to turn the edge down for setting. Finally use the burnisher to make a bright ring.
Your camera is your microscope. Dennis

Thanks Dennis. What do you use as a pusher? I've been using a ball burr with the ball cut off and rounded to a gentle point. I see some of the videos use a flatter pusher first. Tried making one without success which is when I moved to the rounded point.

No, the pusher you want is one that does the least damage. the real problem is cleaning up a mashed surface. So, use the polished neck of a broken burr in a universal handle. Dennis

Thanks Dennis, think the one I've made looks similar but in a pin vise. The universal handle looks more comfortable for pushing so will try that :)

Biggest things that helped me master flush setting were:

1. Asking loads of questions on here and getting lots of great advice!

2. Make sure your workpiece is fully annealed before starting.

3. Make your own stone setting tool. Smooth it off and highly polish it.

4. Brace your hands when pushing the metal over onto the stone in order to avoid slips and scratches.

Cheers,

Nick

And welcome back Nick, good to see you. Dennis.

Thanks Nick! I'll keep asking and practicing :)