[Jewelry making - Article 00322] - Re: [Orchid] Fusing: Sterling or Fine Silver?

[Rick]

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>     What are the advantages/disadvantages of sterling vs. fine silver
>     when fusing sheet metal? 

    I fuse al my fine silver bezels with 24 ga round wire. The way I do
    it is once the bezel joint is as tight I place the bezel in my third
    hand with the joint face up. I then make a small jump ring out of the
    24 ga wire and place it across the joint. I flux it with a light dap
    of paste flux. To fuse I turn my torch way down to where it's almost
    going out. I use an acetylene and air torch. I then carefully heat
    the jump ring. I heat until the sterling jump ring melts. I remove
    the heat at that point. Any further heating and the molten sterling
    silver will spread out and not fuse properely. Of course you always
    stand a chance of melting the bezel too. It takes practice and good
    torch control. I melted a lot of bezels when I first tried this. 

    Now you have a fused bezel joint that will not melt when doing
    subsequent soldering on the piece. I learned this technique from Boyd
    Astemborski owner of Claim Jumpers rock shop in Manitou Springs, CO.
    Boyd is an old time silversmith starting back in the 1970's. He has
    giving me a couple of tips. I call the bezel fusing as a million
    dollar tip. 

Rick Copeland
Silversmith and Lapidary Artisan
Colorado Springs, Colorado
rockymountainwonders.com
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