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On small plastic boxes are sometimes found hinges that snap into place to allow easy assembly and are made with two balls attached to the lid and a disc with dimples in each side attached to the bottom of the box. The lid snaps on and then can swivel as the balls slide in the indentations in the disc.... (1997) Complete Story
It is important to pick tubing with an appropriate wall thickness and material strength for the requirements of the piece. Sterling will need thicker material than 14k gold. Nickel white gold is the hardest material goldsmiths generally work with. The hole for the hinge pin must also be appropriate for the material used for the hinge pin.... (1996) Complete Story
While this one may seem a little odd at first glance the idea has merit. Linda Chow suggests that a wire inserted through a hole is a type of hinge which by implication makes an normal jump ring inserted into a hole a kind of hinge. There are several instances of wires placed through tubes as a mobile component in goldsmithing. One example is the use of a 'figure 8' safety catch which is often used on box catches. The wire '8' has a small knob ball on the end and snaps over a balled up wire to make the safety device function. It is normally used on the side of a box catch.... (1997) Complete Story
A short review of construction and soldering principles would be a good idea at this point. They're fairly basic. Principles of soldering (or what most of the world terms 'brazing' but jewelers call 'soldering') include: make sure that all joins are recently scraped, cleaned, sanded, or otherwise bared; that you can't see light through a join; that you use tons of flux.... (1996) Complete Story
Cast hinges are a very important part of much production jewelry work, partly because hinge assembly on such pieces is reduced to inserting the hinge pin and so provides a very fast linkage system ideal for cast objects. We are primarily speaking here of lost wax investment casting. If you look at any trade magazines you will find many examples of cast hinges in the advertisements....
(1997) Complete Story
