[Jewelry making - Article 00095] - Re: [Orchid] Bezel Melting Problems

[Elizabeth Lyne]

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    You will probably get a lot of tips on other ways to do this. 
    Here's what works for me... 

    I always leave excess sterling on the base piece so I have a place
    on which to hold the base with some locking tweezers which are
    hanging off the edge of my bench (therefore no tripod or steel mesh
    is required to hold it). This allows me to completely access the top
    and bottom of the piece with my flame.  I use 26 gauge fine silver
    for my bezels and always heat them from the back/bottom (non-bezel
    side), usually attaching them to the base with medium solder.  If the
    piece is to have a bale or pin on the back of the base, I will then
    flip the piece over (with the bezel toward the ground) and then
    solder the findings to the back applying the flame to the non-bezel
    side of the piece.  I have yet to melt a bezel.  Since the weight of
    the piece is being held in the tweezers, be careful to not overheat
    things or the weight of the piece can cause the back to distort or
    droop when it reaches temperature. 

Good luck!
Elizabeth
www.borntobeworn.com


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