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Soldering Big and Small
This virtual course will explain how to use a torch with two gases in many different soldering situations via the stick and pick-up soldering techniques, with a focus on perfecting small to large scale jobs.
We will cover the basics of soldering a simple hollow form, a small wire to a larger sheet, balls to wires and sheet, jump rings to larger pieces, jump rings as connecters, small open wire work, sweat soldering (applique), making a simple hinge, balling wire to use as a connecter/bead holder, soldering a bezel properly, and annealing. With a lot packed into a short amount of time, students will quickly learn how to use the heat of the torch to accurately accomplish these course objectives with thorough demonstrations and of course practice too!
Please read the Materials & Tools tab!
Meet the instructor
Joanna received her A.A.S. in Jewelry Design from the Fashion Institute of Technology in 1997. She has been a self-employed studio jeweler for 20 years, selling her work at craft & jewelry galleries and fine craft shows in the US. She has authored four books on making jewelry (all published by Lark Books), and her work been included in numerous publications, such as Metalsmith Magazine, Ornament Magazine, 20th Century Jewelers, and 500 Wedding Rings. She teaches jewelry making for metalsmithing groups, Craftsy.com, and craft schools, such as Penland School of Crafts, Arrowmont, and Haystack Craft School.
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 (in red) to be redirected to a page where you can find the item. The quantities needed for each item are listed first and are estimated. 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 encouraged but not required - observers are welcome.
Metal/raw materials (note quantities are estimated suggestions):
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12" x sterling silver wire - 22g (Rio Grande)
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2 x 3/4" round silver discs - 24g (Rio Grande)
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1"x4" x sterling silver sheet - 24g (Rio Grande)
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12" min. x sterling silver wire - 20g (Rio Grande)
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1 x pack crimp beads - 1.6mm (Rio Grande)
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2" x sterling silver wire - 14g (Rio Grande)
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12" x Argentium silver wire - 20g (Rio Grande)
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6" x fine 1/8" bezel wire - 26g (Rio Grande)
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 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 riveting hammer (Rio Grande)
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1 x chasing hammer (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 bezel mandrel - 1mm to 5mm (Rio Grande)
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1 x dapping set - steel or wood (Rio Grande or Rio Grande)
Torch setup (dual-gas torch is needed for course objectives):
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1 x fireproof torch area - steel baking sheet, tiles, etc. (Amazon)
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1 x torch - oxy/acetylene or oxy/propane (Rio Grande or Rio Grande)
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1 x Solderite™ pad / pan with pumice (Rio Grande or Rio Grande)
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1 x compressed charcoal block - hard (Rio Grande)
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1 x striker or lighter - Silversmith system has one (Rio Grande)
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1 x stay silv black glazing flux (Welding Supply)
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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 - hard (Rio Grande)
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1 x 6” silver solder - easy (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 tempered glass container or sink - for quenching and rinsing
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1 x small brush - for flux
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 glass - for debris and torch if needed
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dust mask
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tongs for pickle