Learning to metalsmith

[enwar3]

Any metalsmiths out there? I don't mean any really hardcore metalsmithing, but more like making jewelry or little trinkets to give friends as gifts. Maybe stick some gemstones on or something. If you've ever been to swarovski or another jewelry store and seen their crystal flowers, that's the idea.

My school has a metalshop, but I don't know what that means. They have some lathes and presses, among other things, but I have no idea what I need. Should I start by getting books from the library? Take a class? AAAHh!!

 

[skyking]

High School?
If so, a high school metal shop class will get you exposed to acetylene/oxygen welding torches. Express your interests to the teacher and you can get extra time on the torches.
They are bigger, higher heat then a jeweler's torch for sure, but if you put a 00 tip on one and dial the gas down, you can do some pretty intricate stuff. It would be a good start.

 

[Safeway]

I have smelted lead and cast my own bullets, but seems like that isn't the kind of metal smithing you are down with.

 

[Fenixgoon]

Originally posted by: Safeway
I have smelted lead and forged my own bullets, but seems like that isn't the kind of metal smithing you are down with.

did you actually forge or did you cast? there's a very big difference between the two

 

[Safeway]

Originally posted by: Fenixgoon

Originally posted by: Safeway
I have smelted lead and cast my own bullets, but seems like that isn't the kind of metal smithing you are down with.

did you actually forge or did you cast? there's a very big difference between the two

Ouch, I cast them. Yes.

 

[Fenixgoon]

Originally posted by: Safeway

Originally posted by: Fenixgoon

Originally posted by: Safeway
I have smelted lead and cast my own bullets, but seems like that isn't the kind of metal smithing you are down with.

did you actually forge or did you cast? there's a very big difference between the two

Ouch, I cast them. Yes.

hehe sorry

the engineer in me had to ask.. especially since i just learned this stuff

 

[Safeway]

Originally posted by: Fenixgoon

Originally posted by: Safeway

Originally posted by: Fenixgoon

Originally posted by: Safeway
I have smelted lead and cast my own bullets, but seems like that isn't the kind of metal smithing you are down with.

did you actually forge or did you cast? there's a very big difference between the two

Ouch, I cast them. Yes.

hehe sorry

the engineer in me had to ask.. especially since i just learned this stuff

<--- Engineer, too.

The whole process of smelting, casting, and shooting was fun, albeit poisonous.

 

[enwar3]

I'm in college. I was hoping we'd offer classes on this, but we don't =(

What exactly could I do with a welding torch? It seems like a lot of what I want to do involves bending metal. Does the torch just heat up the metal to make it more malleable?

 

[Safeway]

Originally posted by: enwar3
I'm in college. I was hoping we'd offer classes on this, but we don't =(

What exactly could I do with a welding torch? It seems like a lot of what I want to do involves bending metal. Does the torch just heat up the metal to make it more malleable?

You can do that with a blow torch.

 

[Colt45]

http://w3.uwyo.edu/~metal/

 

[BoomerD]

http://www.google.com/search?h...ithing+classes&spell=1

 

[IronWing]

A torch, a pair of smooth jaw pliers, a polished hammer, and something to bang on will take you a long way. My wife has been making forged iron/silver/gold/copper jewelry for several years. She uses a forge for the iron but the idea is the same - get it hot and hit it or get it hot and twist it. For jewelry be prepared to spend as much time or more time finishing a piece as shaping/welding it. Sanding and polishing are a big part of jewelry production.

 

[wwswimming]

taking a class OR spending a $100 on tools, the main thing is to start.

i started when i was about 12, building slot cars. took shop classes, eventually
learned to use a milling machine & a lathe.

took classes in lost wax (centrifugal) casting, to make jewelry. started out
with silver, realized how much time was involved, decided to start working
with gold.

i don't do it any more. i don't have the vision to operate a milling machine
or lathe safely, and i have limited eye-time.