Engineering Wire Settings and Captures 2.0
This demo focused virtual class will expand upon the first wire fabrication class, “Engineering and Fabricating Wire Settings and Captures”. Students will take their knowledge of wire fabrication one step further with an introductions to more complicated design and fabrication problems in wire. Students will be challenged to think outside the box of traditional stone setting to design and fabricate innovative settings and captures, with emphasis placed on engineering and problem solving. Bringing specific objects to be considered during the brainstorming session at the end of demos is encouraged.
Meet the instructor
![photo of](https://metalwerx.com/civicrm/contact/imagefile?photo=InstructorWebsiteBioImage_Fentz_a6b9eb967e8c4ef8b1538c1dc9a5239f.jpg&image_styles=thumbnail)
Taylor is an artist and metalsmith with interests rooted in anthropology. She is inspired by natural curiosities and human tendencies. Taylor completed a studio residency at Contemporary Craft while finishing her MFA at Edinboro University with a concentration in metals. She is currently a bench jeweler in Lewes, Delaware.
Materials & Tools
The following supplies will be used for course demonstrations and objectives. A suggested item and/or vendor has been provided below for reference. Click the vendor name to be redirected to a page where you can view the item. The quantities needed for each item are listed first. If ordering, please be aware that some items may come in larger quantities than needed for this class. We recommend not opening an item's packaging until the day of the workshop. Student participation during or in-between class sessions is not required - observers are welcome.
Metal/raw materials (note that multiple sizes of wire and sheet can be used for the entrapment techniques covered in this class - choose the size and alloy you prefer):
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5ft. approx. x 925 / copper / brass round wire- 20g to 14g (Rio Grande)
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5ft. approx. x 925 / copper / brass square wire- 20g to 14g (Rio Grande)
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5"x5" approx. x 925 / copper / brass square wire- 26g to 18g (Rio Grande)
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1 pack x double sided separating disks (Rio Grande)
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1 pack x fiber wheels - course, medium, fine (Rio Grande)
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1 pack x snap on sanding disks (Rio Grande)
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1 pack x snap on mandrel (Rio Grande)
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1 pack x silicone polishing wheels - course to fine (Rio Grande)
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1 pack x cup burs - size appropriate for your wire gauge
Hand tools:
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1 x round nose pliers (Rio Grande)
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1 x chain nose pliers (Rio Grande)
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1 x flat nose pliers (Rio Grande)
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1 x snips / flush cutters (Rio Grande)
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1 x jewelers saw (Rio Grande)
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1 x pack saw blades - 2/0 (Rio Grande)
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1 x burlife / bee's wax (Rio Grande)
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1 x bench pin (Rio Grande)
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1 x half round hand file - #2 cut (Rio Grande)
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1 x rotary tool - flex shaft, micro motor, etc. (Rio Grande)
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1 x set of needle files - #2 cut (Rio Grande)
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1 x center punch (Rio Grande)
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1 x scribe (Rio Grande)
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1 x rawhide / plastic mallet (Rio Grande)
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1 x steel block / steel surface (Rio Grande)
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1 x small steel ruler (Rio Grande)
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1 x sheet of sand paper - 220 to 600 grits (Rio Grande)
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1 x calipers (Rio Grande)
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1 x dividers (Rio Grande)
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1 x parallel pliers (Rio Grande)
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1 x planishing hammer (Rio Grande)
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1 x ring mandrel (Rio Grande)
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1 x bezel mandrel - 1mm to 5mm (Rio Grande)
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1 x dapping set - steel or wood (Rio Grande or Rio Grande)
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1 x miter cutting vise (Rio Grande)
Torch setup:
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1 x fireproof area - steel sheet, tiles, etc. (Amazon or Home Depot)
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1 x torch - micro-mini oxy/acetylene with #3-#7 tips (Rio Grande)
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1 x striker or lighter - Silversmith system has one (Rio Grande)
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1 x soldering tweezers (Rio Grande)
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1 x soldering pick (Rio Grande)
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1 x 3rd arm (Rio Grande)
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1 x cross lock tweezers (Rio Grande)
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1 x paste flux (Rio Grande)
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1 x copper tongs - for pickle (Rio Grande)
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1 x 6” silver solder - hard (Rio Grande)
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1 x 6” silver solder - medium (Rio Grande)
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1 x 6” silver solder - easy (Rio Grande)
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1 x tinted soldering glasses (Rio Grande)
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1 x pickle - sodium bisulfate or citric acid (Rio Grande or Amazon)
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1 x crock pot or lidded glass container (Rio Grande or Amazon)
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1 x tinted soldering glasses (Rio Grande)
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1 x tempered glass container or sink - for quenching and rinsing
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1 x small brush - for flux
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1 x liquid hand soap - for cleaning metal
Other/miscellaneous items:
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particulate dust mask
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eye protection
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fan / open window, ventilation, or outside
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pencil, pen, paper
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masking tape
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Sharpie
***All materials, tools, and equipment may or may not be necessary or useful to every student. If funds are limited, please feel free to come with whatever you already have and wait to make more informed purchases after you’ve watched the demos. Also, feel free to email the instructor directly with any questions or concerns at [email protected].