Competition fail - Here's what I coulda won...

It was all going so well. Thought of a good idea for this months compo. Decided I'd make some ickle tiny copper and silver mittens to mount as earrings.

Having never done earrings this would push me to try as I have some wires for another idea. Good practice I thought.

Hammered and curved the copper wire to shape like a mit, and even managed to solder a little thumb on. Even more chuffed was I when I managed to make two tiny deep bezels out of 0.3 sheet perfectly that would go on like a cuff... You can see what's coming can't you...

Trying to solder the 'bezels' onto the much thicker 'hand' I had to get the copper so hot that the solder climbed everywhere, and I even managed to completely melt one of the bezels. Here's what they looked like before I made some very bespoke scrap.

I think I'll try something more suited to my Neanderthal hands

Aww, that's a shame. I think you should try again as they're so cute.

Aw I totally agree with Carole, they're so cute, try again!


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Definitely. Analyse, understand, alter as needed, repeat. All part of the learning process.
I'd probably have chased them from sheet myself.

I guess you're all right. Watch out for a spike in the copper markets :rofl:


PS... In the fairness of competition Mr Bond I will ask you about that suggestion AFTER I have remade.

oh how I love miniatures.

you did so very well - when heating up the metals, get the bigger stuff hot first and then add the smaller things. Where you don't want the solder to run, add a little bit of tippex or rouge.

they would be fab as cuff links too

It's actually difficult to know why the copper melted, but your reference to the solder 'climbing' indicates that you were using too fierce a flame (one with a strong blue cone) and heating up your pieces too fast.

The trick is to heat both parts to be joined equally, but keep the flame more bushy by partially closing the air hole.

It is also a good idea to solder in semi darkness, so that you become aware when the flame is held too long in one place.

Lastly if all else fails, use easy solder, which requires less heat. Dennis.

Thanks Wallace/Dennis

I did apply heat to copper first due to size, I think a lot of issues were as dennis suggests, too harsh a flame. That and fighting with the heat sucking steel tweezers that were holding them (and being a complete novice!).

I will certainly try a bushier flame and the rouge/tippex trick, thanks.

Make yourself some Titanium clamps too, they don't heat sink the way steel does.
I love the mittens, you have to remake them!

Definitely throwing my 2p worth in for a re-make. Very very cute and I agree with Wallace they would make lovely cufflinks.

Susie

Gotta be a remake Vos (and maybe two or three)......but each time you'll learn something and the piece will get, quicker, easier and better!!!!

Out of interest what solders are you using at each stage??

Rather foolhardy but was using hard all the way. Will certainly be easy on last solder next time! And thanks for the support and wise words everyone. I will remake, and I will crack it ;)

You could have them hanging from a small chain on each ear - like I used to have my gloves on a piece of string going through my jacket so i didn't lose them !!!

Glad you've decided to remake & very appropriate for this time of year too =D

Yep, I think they'll make super cute earrings when you nail it!

gotta say, a boxing fan would ~love~ those!

Heh, I did notice their resemblance to boxing gloves

Very cute!