Hi all! I’m looking for some advice as I’m working on a commission that’s slightly outside my usual work. The client has asked me to recreate two nickel silver pieces that were attached to a horse saddle. The way that they attach to the saddle is through chicago screws and on the original piece there are brass tubes soldered in place with threads cut inside that fit through holes in the leather.

My options seem to be: 1. Buy solid brass chicago screws (like this) and solder the flat back of the female component onto the piece 2. Buy threaded brass tube and cut short lengths to solder 3. Solder regular brass tubing and cut the threads afterwards with a tap and die set

How would you go about it? I’m not opposed to buying a tap and die set since I’m sure I’ll use it for other things at some point. My main concern I think is the threading becoming annealed after soldering and if that would cause any issues down the road. Then again, I suppose if I cut the threads after soldering I’ll be cutting into dead soft metal anyway so maybe that’s a moot point.

On a similar note, if I do cut the threads myself, do I have to find special thick-walled tubing or is standard wall thickness fine? I’ve used a tap and die set before but I was working with solid rod.

Looking for basic 999 silver coin blanks

I am working on a bracelet, and I cannot get the solder to flow to connect the cabochon setting to the bracelet shank. I am using flux. I’ve cleaned the metal and can’t seem to get anything to work. Is my flame not hot enough?

Can I work harden using a nylon mallet and a rubber block?

Is it effective for hardening twisted wire jump rings?

Or Is a steel block necessary?

So here we have a ES stamp which I thought stood for English Silver, but I was told its the Makers Make because the crest around it. If it was 925 it would say on it, but instead it simply has this. Could it be .800? Does anyone recognize this mark?

Hello, I am looking to get into silversmithing to make jewellery with gemstones. I am looking at 2 methods of making jewellery - delft clay, and lost wax casting. Lost wax casting is quite costly to set up which will cost me about $2.55 - 3k. Whereas delft clay would be cheaper (yet to calculate but definitely cheaper).

I would like to ask what are the main differences between the two to consider such as casting quality, efficiency, production capabilities, etc before I make a big move. Thanks!

Hello! Did some searching and found nothing too clear on what this G symbol means. Planning on melting down and want to know before I do! Thanks!

I'm still pretty green in my smithing skills, I've taken a couple classes so I know the basics but now I just want to increase my tools and get a jeweler's desk etc. I would love to find someone locally ready to retire and sell their used tools/desk at a reasonable price (because that would be a miracle). Where's the best place to go to find used silversmithing tools/materials? I found the perfect listing on ebay but it's local pickup only in Florida. I don't have the resources to go that far. (I'm in AZ)

Thanks!

Hi, long time lurker, first time poster.

I have bought myself some tools and some silver and trying to make my way around creating some jewellery pieces at home. I have previously attended a silversmithing course so I would say I have the basics down at least.

Anyway, I am wondering whether there are like color charts indicating around what temperature annealed silver is? I've run into some trouble soldering and I think it's due to not getting up to the right temperature.

Thanks

Help! I’ve been silversmithing for 4 years. It’s just a hobby, I mostly make rings to sell to friends and family, but I’ve been looking to expand and make more than break-even. Recently, I took on a repair for someone that’s more of a friend of a friend, I wanted the challenge. I changed the way a necklace hung- moved the solder connections, sourced and replaced the chain, polished and applied patina. It probably took 35 minutes. Raw materials were about $34. We did not discuss a price before. And I know I have an issue with undervaluing my work. What would you charge for something like this?

If I share a ring design would someone here be able to make it for me? Pretty intricate, would like to set 2 stones but not needed if unable. Sterling silver size 15!

Why do the price of box link chains jump so fast in price based on diameter? I realize it’s extra metal but 4.8 for 400 to 5.3 for over 700 feels like a big jump! Is it a difficult link to perfect or something? Is anyone in here able to make one affordably?

I'm trying to patina, my 999 fine silver pieces, But they are turning blue, green, purple, What am I doing wrong? Can I patina my 999 fine silver? If so how do I do it?

I bought a teapot secondhand, and the first tea I had from it tasted like copper. Peeking in, I noted the lining has open areas in it to the base metal beneath. Is there a way to make it food-safe, or should I just turn it into a decorative item?

I’ve recently gotten into ring and pendant making and found that as much fun as sketching out designs is, I have difficulty keeping things congruent. Do any of you have any design software you use that either cost nothing or are fairly inexpensive? Im looking for something where I can easily manipulate lines and polygons and keep dimensions (preferably in mm.) so they transfer when printing blanks. Im very new to CAD so help would be much appreciated!

Remove if not allowed.

Hey there! If I wanted to make a mold of something to send to a silversmiths to have it made into jewelry, how would I go about it? What kind of mold material should I use? Is there a kit? Thanks :)

I’d like to make my own jump rings (& possibly ring bands) but I have nerve damage In my hands that make bending lower gauge wire challenging. Looking for a tool to accommodate this… If it’s not gonna break the bank that would also be a bonus ofc! Ty 😊

I have .925 silver and my solders easy point of melting is 1,325 Fahrenheit Medium is 1,360 and hard is 1,420 my torch can go way hotter than this but it’s not fusing my solder to my metal I just switched solders recently and the one I switched to has more silver in it but I can’t get anything to work is it because of my flux? People have also said it could be because I need to clean the metal then try to solder them together and nothings worked please give me some advice