Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 18

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

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Location
    Bristol
    Posts
    216

    Talking 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
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails IMG_20141105_003616.jpg   IMG_2014110524325.jpg   IMG_2014110542539.jpg  
    Last edited by Vos; 05-11-2014 at 07:13 PM.
    All the gear and no idea

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    Cornwall
    Posts
    3,172

    Default

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

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Posts
    27

    Default

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


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    Romsey
    Posts
    5,256

    Default

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

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Location
    Bristol
    Posts
    216

    Default

    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

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    dear old Blighty - (in deepest Wiltshire)
    Posts
    1,638

    Default

    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

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Central London
    Posts
    8,845

    Default

    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.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Location
    Bristol
    Posts
    216

    Default

    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.
    All the gear and no idea

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Posts
    2,067

    Default

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

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    London
    Posts
    272

    Default

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

    Susie

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •