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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
Last edited by Vos; 05-11-2014 at 07:13 PM.
All the gear and no idea
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Aww, that's a shame. I think you should try again as they're so cute.
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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.
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I guess you're all right. Watch out for a spike in the copper markets
PS... In the fairness of competition Mr Bond I will ask you about that suggestion AFTER I have remade.
Last edited by Vos; 05-11-2014 at 07:31 PM.
All the gear and no idea
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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
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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.
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Aw I totally agree with Carole, they're so cute, try again!
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