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Yes, you can look after carbon steel shot by spreading it out to dry after use, but it is a big hassle.
If funds are available, then get the smallest mixed stainless steel shot you can.
I have...

Hi Dave and welcome to the forum. If you keep looking at videos, and practising with cheap materials, it will suddenly come to you and save you £££. By drilling the pilot hole right through, you can...

Hi Tony and Emma, and welcome to the forum. Dennis

Yes that's about what most of us do David, and authoritative articles and text books dont go much furtherer, With the exception of: You CANT anneal too often.

I've read somewhere, but dont ask me...

Yes I agree. Some basic guide lines from you would be interesting. Dennis.

Were subjected to a flurry of initiatives Bob. But they quickly inch off the agenda. Dennis.

It should melt. Maybe not enough borax. Use plenty of scrapings from a cone, or borax powder. Or maybe it's not solid silver. Dennis.

Hello pacman,
To use the ring reducer at the base of the ring stretcher shown, the ring must be made of round, oval or D-shaped wire, and not with a texture. Trying it with flat strip, will begin to...

Dear Patni,
As metal smiths we have played our part in polluting the planet with toxic waste and gases.
Here in UK we are acutely aware that due to climate change, more parts of the world will soon...

Hi Sal, and welcome to the Forum.
We haven't seen your fabric brooches, but I guess you could make a plain fibula with a very shallow bow, or no bow at all, rather like a safety pin.
With...

Hi R1XLX and welcome to the forum. If you have no answers here, you might approach a caster near Hatton Garden.
...

You're well away now David. No need for more advice: you should join in giving it now. Your camera will be your sternest critic, but it hasn't picked up any glaring faults. Dennis.

Yes it will be fine if your joint is good.
If you are having a hall mark, or any engraving, make sure it is well clear, in case you need to re-size in the future. Dennis.

If your joint is a good fit, then colour becomes less important, but still probably worth bearing in mind.
For 9ct it is usual to use medium solder, as hard would be close to the melting point of...

Yes it does look like rust, but if there were steel filaments in the silver, or incorporated in the solder, they would have turned your piece an obvious red in pickle.

My conclusion is that it is...

The gold foil is very thin, and subject to rubbing away over time. Key to adding more will be cleanliness.

Here is a page of videos to refresh your memory....

Their website is under construction. The go to company for professionals is https://wardgemstones.com/ in Hatton Garden, a family run company. You need to register to get the best prices. Dennis.

Me too. If you put Catalogue into their search box now, the order form still comes up. Freebies are always popular, so maybe Anne Marie, is overwhelmed, frantically licking stamps herself.
Or more...

Well yes there are some, but maybe they are away or unwell.
I presume you are going to cast rings with a special design, or texture. Otherwise obviously, it would be much simpler to bend them up...

Hi Cheryl and welcome to the forum. You are of course at liberty to use any metals you have around.
But if you are an aspiring jeweller, you will want to vouch for the constituents of your pieces,...

Being a seller puts you at the mercy of miscreants. The best remedy is a short explanation and a re-fund. Dennis.

Its very flattering to be asked to repair some jewellery, for a friend. But it can also be a poisoned chalice.
The damaged area will need light polishing, and then re-plating.
The cheapest means is...

Yes, you hold the tongs closed, but it's no great chore and you have full control. The double hook self closing ones need to be arranged more carefully and can slip unexpectedly.
The joy of my draw...

Thank you Sheena.

Yes, I'm afraid so David, but you can build up little by little, starting with maybe just round and triangular.

Below are my draw bench parts, attached to my faithful old work horse, but they...