Metalsmithing 101

[usmcmajormichael]

all looks nice :) i do blacksmithing with alot of ever thing

[trekranger]

what metalsmith school did you go to?

[trekranger]

what school did you go too. Can you give me an idea how much something like that cost?

[ckettenhofen]

Currently I only do jewelry with precious stones, but would like to get started with metalsmithing - to expand my horizons. Can you offer some advice about getting started? Thank you!

[ashkan7]

You make such abrasive items (scorpion, bullets) look so elegant!

[KaraokeMary]

LOVE We Wear The Mask. Beautiful work.

[trekranger]

question, when you make your chain, you have to have tome open to put together. Do you solder them after chain is done to make them strong, or leave them as they are?

[Shaderraberry]

@trekranger I actually solder them as I go, yes i know it sounds tedious, but trying to solder after the entire thing is put together winds up soldering links together that shouldn't be.

[trekranger]

@trekranger one more if you dont mind. for flux, i have read that people use borax soap. and for pickling they use vinigar.do you know if that works?

[brandedprincess]

the bracelet that is shown at 5:39 , did you make the links or did you buy the links then put it together to form the bracelet?

[Shaderraberry]

@brandedprincess I actually made them by wrapping half-hard sterling silver round wire around a mandrel and then sawing through the rings with a jeweler's saw.

[AZCopperMiner]

That's great that they offer a degree in that. I do a lot of metal casting with copper / Cu alloys. I just started getting into Ag and Ag alloys (925 silver).  Were some of your pieces done with lost wax process?

[Shaderraberry]

@AZCopperMiner Yes, several of my pieces are done with the lost wax method. I love casting.

[TVboy76]

Pleeeeaaaaase!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!! Teach me how to craft traditional metal (silver or copper) milagros and religious ornaments. I have not worked on metals before. I am a "santos" woodcarver Thanks!!!

[Shaderraberry]

@TVboy76 You can find several classes locally at your community college or other vocational school and they'll teach you all you need to know. If I can find the time, I'll try and put up some "how to" videos.

[redcommand85]

nice crafting. Ima say that the scorpion is wicked cool. I know nothing about metalsmithing but I would sure like to learn. I have some standard silver bullion coins and bars, can they be used to make stuff?

[Shaderraberry]

Yes, they can. If they are not alloys then they can be melted down into an ingot and crafted into sheet, wire, or casting grain. If you look at Sterling Silver, it has a mark saying "925." That means that there is 92.5% percent fine (pure) silver and the other 7.5% is the alloy (usually copper) making up Sterling. You should find out if your silver is fine silver or alloyed. :)

[Shaderraberry]

Also, you can send in your silver to a company that will refine it for you if it IS an alloy, or will make your fine silver into sterling. Depends on what you wish to do with it.

[stdimg11]

r u stoned?

[shawn2571]

i like heavy metal ! lol \m/

[1theblacksmith1]

Hehe, thank you. I prefer Iron, have you done any blacksmithing? I'm going to college for Ornamental Ironwork.

[Shaderraberry]

I have done some blacksmithing and it takes some talent to wield steel. I sucked at it. Great job for you though. Gratz.

[TheKidFromYTown]

What? No Ankhs!?!? :-) Beautiful work.

[Shaderraberry]

Thank you.

[Dracenea]

Beautiful work...you are quite talented.

[mtcoley]

yay... another video... but I knew that :) Make some more stuff!

[Shaderraberry]

Okay! In progress. ;)