Working with Argentium SS

[pianomom]

Hi!  I work a lot with Argentium Sterling Silver & would like to be able to fuse together small places on earrings,  close open jump rings , etc.  Can you tell me how to do this?  What do I need to use/buy?  Thanks!

[Polly]

Hi pianonmom,

Working with Argentium sterling is just like working with regular sterling silver, except there is a little less cleanup involved. (Argentium does not create firescale when heated.)

I think that these forum links will answer most of your soldering questions:
- Getting started with soldering sterling jump rings & other stuff
- Soldering sterling sheet
- What type of torch to use for soldering silver?
- Troubleshooting: when sterling items won't solder

We definitely recommend Tim McCreight's Complete Metalsmith.

And for people who aren't familiar with Argentium:
- Rings & Things Argentium product line (findings and wire)
- What is special about Argentium sterling silver?

[pianomom]

Thanks!  I haven't been able to find any solid jump rings in Arg. SS so figured I'd have to make them myself.  (at least til they come out with them or I find where to buy them!).  For fusing small places together (like in earrings, etc.), would it just be easier to use some sort of flame and melt it together?  If so, which one would be the best to use?

[Polly]

Hi pianomom,

You were quick!  I added 2 more links to my above posting, while you were posting your reply.  One addresses the types of torches, and the other has helpful tips to think about when your pieces won't join --- this is likely to happen when you are first trying to join your small pieces together.

Fusing is a little different than soldering, and I believe it is more difficult to do properly.  My understanding -- which is a little fuzzy -- is that fusing involves joining the metal without solder. This probably means higher temperatures, and greater chance of your whole piece melting into a puddle. Solder was invented, to make it easier to join metals.  It melts at a little lower temperature than the metal you are joining.

We have a few different grades of silver solder. Click through to the [details] of any of them, for a brief explanation of the uses for the different grades.

Oh -- and we have Argentium jump rings, too!

[pianomom]

Hey!  Your link for "Troubleshooting: when sterling items won't solder" looks like it's the same link as the "What type of torch to use" link. '>

I think I've bought some of the jump rings from here!  '>  (but they're all open, right?)  I use the open ones too but sometimes need a closed one.

[Metalman]

Do a search for Cynthia Eid.  She has several very good articles on Argentium and working with it.  You ought to be able to find on the internet with ease.
Fusing is tougher - Polly has that right - but once you work it out, lots of good things there for design and tech

[Polly]

I fixed the doubled-up link now.
It was supposed to go to (and now goes to): http://www.rings-things.com/cgi-bin....;t=1466

[pianomom]

Thanks!  I read the info on the other link.  I'll also do a search on Cynthia Eid, as well.  Since I've never done any of this before, right now, it all seems very confusing.  I'm guess it's something that would be easier to learn if you were in a class with the instructor or just had someone physically there to show you what to use and how to use it.  I'll also check out that book from Tim M. that you mentioned too.

[Metalman]

You know - a lot of these craft and art skills are very handskill direct. No matter how good a teacher one is, being in the studio, tools in hand can not be replaced.

Take any opportunity to get in the workshop with anyone who knows had to do what you want to learn.
You won't regret it.

[pianomom]

Thanks!  Yes, I will keep my eyes open for instructors in my area.