[Jewelry making - Article 00046] - Re: [Orchid] Laser welder tips-n-tricks?

[Bob Staley]

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    Jane, Try holding small parts like tips for prongs with beeswax (I,
    like many stone setters, use a beeswax tip on an old mandrel for
    picking up stones.) REDI-PRONGS are great for tipping this way.  Once
    you tack the tip on the old prong, begin to "landslide" the metal down
    the back and sides of the prong.  30 gauge wire is great for filler. 
    I buy it coiled in the different metals and colors I need. Also, you
    probably have found out that you must have good penetration on thicker
    pieces of material or you will only be putting a "band-aid" on the
    surface.  Try using a separating disc and cut  AT  1/2 to 3/4 the way
    through the joint (say, on the ring shank) and then cave the side
    walls in on the center and lay your 30 ga wire in the trough and fill
    to the top.   You can widen the beam and/or shoot at an angle and
    ellipse the joint to spread out and blend the material for a nice
    seam.   Careful on edges that need to be crisp, you can easily round
    them with the laser pulse.  Keep "playing"!!! P.S.  If you are not
    sure, always start with less power and increase. Congrats to you and
    all of those who have this incredible technology!!! 

 Bob Staley
B.Staley, Goldsmiths
Precision Laser Welding
bstaley AT mindspring.com
toll free 877.535.9938 or 770.382.8268 

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