Still learning

[Goldsmith]

Sandra, have you tried making and using a soldering clamp to hold the jumprings while soldering? I am sure you could come up with a shape that suits the job.
For those who have not seen them here are a couple of pics.


James

[Sandra]

Somehow I didn't think to use those for this project. I will have some ready for next time.

More lessons learned - same project. Never assume you can bend a bail around a jump ring once it's soldered shut. And, make sure your pendant pieces are on the right way before you solder the jump ring shut for the 4th time!

[Sandra]

*Update*
I've finished this project and since I've written so much about it I thought I'd post a picture. It's not amazing or anything I realise but I rather like it anyway. I may do another one similar right away while all the new lessons I've learned are fresh on my mind!

[medusa]

I really like it. Well worth the effort!

[josef1]

Looks great

[Nick martin]

I always solder my jump rings closed on chains, bracelets and necklaces for durability. Using the Titanium strips that James refers too definitely makes a big difference and is always how I do it.

Nick

[mizgeorge]

I never solder all the rings closed on chains - I always leave those at the clasp unsoldered, firstly to provide a break point, but also because if there is a tug, it's a lot easier to replace a jump ring than a chain.

However, I do solder hundreds of rings a week, and wouldn't every use anything other than paste solder for these, simply because it's so much easier.

Sandra - the end result looks great!

[Tabby66]

Looks great Sandra!! I think your idea of doing another one whilst all your 'lessons learned' are fresh in your mind is a great way of mastering skills, it helps making future pieces with more confidence!!

Tabby xx

[ShinyLauren]

I solder jump rings shut on pendants and chains, and like George I always use solder paste for this - it's so much easier!

[Sandra]

I solder jump rings shut on pendants and chains, and like George I always use solder paste for this - it's so much easier!

I'm not sure why but I've yet to succeed using solder paste. I don't know if I torch it too little or too long, but it never holds. I have the greatest success using easy solder though getting those little pieces to stay where you want can be a challenge! I've been using my titanium clamps for holding soldering pieces and they are really helpful. Soldering still is my weakest point though, this is what I need to find a course in. I haven't given up though!

I am concocting another design and hoping for a bit of advice (again!). I want to use one element I saw in another design, not copying, but using this particular idea to create something new. This is how I learn! I've been trying to work out the best way to do it. I first curved a piece of wire then cut into small pieces and thought to solder them individually on a silver base. But I'm wondering if it would be better to first solder longer lengths of wire together and then cut what I need and solder this to the silver back? I'm not sure if I am explaining this very well!