Hollow Containers: Full of Fabrication
Are you a metalsmith or jeweler looking to up your fabrication skills? Do you love containers, boxes, and other volumetric forms? In this short virtual workshop, the instructor will walk you through how to make a lidded cylindrical box, that can house all manner of personal items and treasures. If you are someone who is intimidated by fabricating hollow forms with larger solder seams, this is the workshop for you. Students will be guided through a step-by-step approach to this intermediate fabrication technique. Students who participate in this workshop will walk away with new expanded skills they can apply towards numerous jewelry and metalworking avenues.
Meet the instructor
Ben is a jeweler and metals artist in Bloomington, IN. He graduated from Indiana University in May of 2019 with a BFA in Metalsmithing and Jewelry Design. He has supplemented his education through workshops at Arrowmont Craft School and an apprenticeship in Japan. He has participated in residencies at the Baltimore Jewelry Center and Arrowmont. Ben has exhibited his work internationally, in the United States, the Netherlands, Germany and Canada.
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 :
- 6"x12" x. copper sheet - 18g (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 Solderite™ pad / pan with pumice (Rio Grande or Rio Grande)
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1 x torch - Smith mini, Silversmith, or butane (Rio Grande or 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 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 - medium (Rio Grande)
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1 x pickle - sodium bisulfate or citric acid (Rio Grande or Amazon)
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1 x brass bristle brush (Rio Grande)
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1 x crock pot or lidded glass container (Rio Grande or Amazon)
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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
Hand tools:
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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 rawhide / plastic mallet (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 (Amazon)
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1 x calipers (Amazon)
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1 x dividers (Rio Grande)
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1 x sanding sticks (Rio Grande)
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1 x bracelet mandrel (Rio Grande)
Other/miscellaneous items:
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hard work surface
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fan and open window - or ventilation system
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safety glasses
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pencil, Sharpie, notebook
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rags/towels