Soldering Spectrum: Sweat, Pick, and Hinge Soldering for 3D Forms

This multi-week virtual course focuses on important soldering techniques and approaches you may not have known you needed, which may have been missed in previous jewelry classes, or that you’ve been struggling with in your own work studio practice. Specific focus will be placed on pick, sweat, and hinge soldering to strengthen your skills and showcase a technical approach that ensures proper solder flow, as well as proper fitting or joining for three dimensional objects.

In class one, we will cover the basics; problems that occur with sweat soldering, pick soldering correctly with flame control, and the ability to spread as well as control solder with the pick under heat. This section will also cover the common heat sinks you may not have realized were causing solder flow headaches.

Class two homes in on heat dispersion. Soldering tiny accents or mechanisms to larger pieces of metal creates its own challenges. One of the hardest soldering endeavors to master is that of the knuckle hinge. This section for the course will teach how to prevent unwanted solder flow in tight spaces and how to create solid joints within a small area using high temperature solder. Students will also learn how to work with a larger form and how to saw joints properly to attain a perfect fit.

The final class will cover soldering on 3D forms. You will learn about successfully joining components and how to align hinges or other types of solder joints between multiple three dimensional surfaces. Numerous options for how to keep components level will be covered. You will also learn how to troubleshoot or “save” soldering mishaps for when things don’t go as planned! Additionally, a simple catch mechanism to keep a box, locket, or other 3D form closed using wire and tension fitting will be taught.

For more information about virtual courses, visit our Virtual Course FAQ page. 

Please read the Materials & Tools tab! 

Meet the instructor

photo of

Deanna Pastel was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. In 2010 she received her BFA in Jewelry/Metals from Kent State University. Upon graduating, she was offered a position as a bench jeweler and trainer at Heather B. Moore Inc. in Cleveland, OH. This is where she began fine-tuning her skills in soldering gold, setting stones and hand stamping on silver and high end gold jewelry works. 

In 2012 she landed in Austin, TX, and began her career as one of the main teachers and as the studio director/coordinator at Creative Side Jewelry Academy. She spent 2012-2017 developing the school’s core curriculum, while working closely with other master artists and her students.

In 2018 she was granted an apprenticeship to spend two months working alongside artist Victoria Lansford doing macro chasing and repousse, and became a presence both artistically and professionally for the Society of North American Goldsmiths. For the past three years, she has expanded to teaching at multiple schools and colleges around the Austin and San Antonio area providing eclectic and diverse course offerings at all levels of experience. She also continues to work at her bench in her home studio doing commissions, custom and repair work, as well as her personal artworks.

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. 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 strongly encouraged but not required - observers are welcome.

Metal/raw materials (note you can work in copper, brass, or silver - it is recommended you choose one metal typing and work in based on your comfort level and preference): 

  • 3" min. x thick wall sterling tubing - 2.5mm (Rio Grande)
  • 3" min. x thin wall sterling tubing - 1.4mm (Rio Grande)
  • 3"x3" x sterling sheet - dead soft 22g or 20g (Rio Grande)
  • OR
  • 3" min. x thick wall base metal tubing - 3/32" (Hobby Town)
  • 3" min. x thin wall base metal tubing - 1/16" (Hobby Town)
  • 3"x3" x base metal sheet - dead soft 22g or 20g (Rio Grande)
  • ALSO
  • 3" x round base metal or silver wire - 20g (Rio Grande)
  • 12" x round base metal or silver wire - 18g (Rio Grande)

Hand tools:

Torch setup:

Other/miscellaneous items: 

  • 1-6 x sticks of graphite lead - 2mm (Amazon)
  • 1 x yellow ochre or white out - ochre is better (Rio Grande)
  • eye protection
  • fan and open window or ventilation system
Virtual Course
Tuition
$225.00
Instructor
Deanna Pastel
Level
Basic and above
Pre-requisites
Jewelry 1 skills required
Location
Virtual - Eastern Time Zone
Length
  • 0 days
 

Stay Connected