Hello Merilyn, Thank you for your kind comments. I appreciate it. Keep watching and if you have any questions in the future, please feel free to let me know. Thanks again. Greg Greenwood
Thank you, Greg, for the informative video! I have always been interested in trying stick feed soldering. After watching your video I feel like I have enough knowledge to finally give it a try. Thanks again and take care!
Hello Harrpika, Thank you very much for your kind comment. I really appreciate it. You are more than welcome. Check out my play list on silver soldering. There will be some pointers that may be of help to you. Thanks again. Greg Greenwood
Hello Greg, Thanks for this video. Very informative. I particularly liked the ball solder method as it will work well in tight spaces. I have not used that method in the past but will be practicing it today. Thanks again, and keep 'em coming.
Hello Mrs, Sunar, Thank you for your kind comment. I appreciate it. Doing demonstrations in gold is very expensive. But when I get a gold commission, I will do a demo. Thanks for asking. Keep watching. Greg Greenwood
Hello Atmospheric, My next video is about pick soldering and I will be talking about and demonstrating liquid flux in that video. Please subscribe and ring the bell so you don't miss it. Gold videos are in the future. Thank you for watching and commenting. Your questions and suggestions are always welcome. Greg Greenwood
Hello wolfiesown, Thank you very much for your kind comment. I appreciate it. Check out my video "Pick Silver Soldering". You may find it interesting too. Thanks for watching. Greg Greenwood
Thank you for this informative video. Personally, I don't like to use the paste solder, as the flux has some nasty chemicals that are given off as gasses. In the UK, silver solder mainly comes in strips, which I roll down to .25mm thick. I then fringe the end and before cutting bend the end of the strip up through 90 degrees and then cut. This gives a pallion that is "L" shaped, which will sit over the join in a wire.
Hello David, I too am not a fan of paste solder. I only use it when all else will not work. Thank you for sharing your ideas. I appreciate it. Keep Soldering! Greg Greenwood
Hello Howard, Thank you very much for your kind comment. Keep watching! If you have any questions in the future, please feel free to let me know. Greg Greenwood
One more question, please. When you do a ring soldier, do you do hard, solder, or medium solder? I know that you're supposed to use hard first in a multi solder project, then use medium, and lastly easy solder. For your video demonstrations, such as the ring, the project you soldered from the back, and the sweat solder project, which type of solder did you use? Thank you very much for your time..
When you sell and put a sold sign up on a house in the US is it Sod? I LOVE your info but I am struggling with the "sodder"! I've just sussed I can use subtitles and get the benefit of your amazing knowledge. Result!
Languages and pronunciations throughout the world are always fascinating and strange. Sorry you are struggling. Hope you will still learn from the videos. Greg Greenwood
Hi Greg I said I was going to make a little hotplate for Keum Boo work, you never said if you had done any or not? Anyway if you search for . ." Keum-Boo prototype miniature hotplate. Please read description as you might be wasting your time." . . you should find my video of my first test of a prototype heater. I'll make one in a more practical arrangement but at this stage I just wanted to share the idea on TH-cam. It's a long title but I didn't want to mislead folks into thinking that it was a "how to do Keum Boo demonstration." it's not. All the best . . . Andy
I'm working my way through your videos. Much of what you're teaching could be very useful to the hobbies I'd pursue. But I do have one question I don't know maybe you've answered it on one of your videos that I haven't gotten to. What I'd like to know is who supplies you with your tools and materials? I would be particularly interested and someone that I can do mail order or online purchases from. I live close to Chattanooga Tennessee so a jewelry supply house with a storefront in California would not be very useful, unless they had a online purchases.
Hello Paul, Thank you for watching my videos. I appreciate it. Rio Grande Jewelry Supply in Albuquerque, New Mexico is a great online source for tools and supplies. Thanks for your comments. Greg Greenwood
If I have silver solder paste and need to solder a male to female threaded joint, do I coat the threads with it or just apply it around where they come together after threaded on?
Hello stevbarto, I believe it would be best to coat the threads and then put a small amount where they come together. Thanks for your question. Thank you for watching. Greg Greenwood
Important thing when using solder paste: As can be seen briefly at 10:15, something in the paste will burn. So when using this e.g. on an end cap for a chain, the fumes produced by the burning paste can push your chain out of the end cap.
Hi Greg thank you, another exhalant video demonstration. Well, I've eventually got my first order from Cooksongold (here in the UK) completed. Man it was painful. I'm sure it's not normal but they got there in the end. To fulfil one simple online order the order it's taken five phone calls and three deliveries. I've had items marked as being in the delivery that weren't there, some silver wire that I didn't order come by separate post and a number of contradictory emails saying that the items they forgot to pack will come tomorrow them another email to say it's going to be a month away and then again another saying I'll receive it the next day. Can you imagine the disappointment? I had bits of silver, brass and copper with the three grades of silver solder and a nice new jeweller's saw frame but they forgot to pack the multiple bundles of saw blades and 0.3mm drill bits!! I was like the kid with the Christmas present that came without the batterers, Boohoo! Anyway, forgive the rant, I hope they do better next time. Greg, I want to make a mixed metal pendant using silver and either copper or brass. The two pieces will be side by side such that both the silver and other metal will touch the skin of the wearer. My worry is what to do about the back of the none silver metal. I know that copper will colour a wrist or finger over time. (not sure about brass, maybe not as much,) I don't really want to have to put a thin silver back on the copper or brass. I particularly want a contrasting metal and gold is a bit too expensive for me to play with. Would you varnish the back or maybe fit it with something like a silver 'stand off' strip to keep it off the skin or am I worrying unnecessarily?? Right. . I'm off to practice the ball soldering method. By the way, does anyone know of a good (friendly to novices) metal Jewellery makers forum. I've tried Cooksongolds forum site but it's painfully, painfuly slow, I do hope they get all of there problems resolved as they should be a great company to deal with. Regards . . . Andy
Hello Andy, Wow! what a story. It is surprising to hear about Cooksongold. I thought that they had their act together better than that! Glad you finally got it all. As for your mixed metal pendant. Yes, copper and brass will turn many peoples' skin green. It doesn't look good when your client (or wife) goes to that very important party, and her neck is green!! The best that you can do is to spray the back of the copper or brass with lacquer. Mask off the silver. You can buy it at most paint stores. Get the 'clear lacquer'. This is what they use on musical brass instruments. It will not last forever, but it will last better than varnish. Sorry, I don't know of a forum for you. Take care and have fun practicing pick soldering. Greg Greenwood
@@greggreenwood4628 Hi again Greg, can you tell me is there some magic way of pre conditioning a new charcoal block?? I had the nice new new clean shiny silver and brass all fluxed up and my little balls of solder ready and waiting and when I put the torch on the work piece a mountain of charcoal dust and liquid flux erupted up through the joints depositing what looks like finely divided black pepper all over the place!! It's all cleaned up well and subsequently soldered as it should, but it was a bit of a surprise. Should I burn it off or what?? Regards . . Andy
Hello Andy, Well, that sounds like fun!!! Did you get soft or hard charcoal? The better is hard charcoal. It will hold position well and not powder up. I like to wrap a binding wire around the perimeter of the block. This will help it from splitting. I show an example of this in my video "30+ Silver Soldering Set Ups". Also when you have pitted, soldered, fluxed the surface of the charcoal block, you can refinish it by rubbing an edge of an OLD file over the surface. This will reface it smooth, then torch the surface a little to get rid of the extra powder. Thanks for your great question. Take care. Greg Greenwood
Hi Greg, another question. I've looked at all of your videos, (and enjoyed and been inspired by all of them,) but I haven't seen anything about brooches. I haven't missed it have I?? I'm interested in seeing how you go about setting a hand made pin and separate hook on a back of a broch, that has or will have a bezel. I imagine that I'd put the bezel on first and then the bits on the back with a lower temp solder.. Something I wanted to share with you, I've had a bit of cleaning up to do and I've been using emery and a lollypop stick (from an ice-cream actually) I can cut and shape the wooden stick to the size I want and it's very convenient but I found that it's transformed to another level when I stick the emery to the lollypop stick with double sided tape. It makes cleaning up a joy. I can get these miniature sticks into tight spots, no problem, and when the end wears out I simple nip a few millimetres off the end with some old side cutters to exposes fresh grit. Maybe that's what everybody does? I wanted something better than a bit of paper wrapped around a stick. I did try sticking the emery with PVA adhesive but that was much less effective than the double sided tape. All the best . . . Andy
Hello Andy, These are the moments that I live for in teaching. When a student discovers an "Aha Moment". Your ice cream stick cleaning tool is a perfect example. You are learning to adapt to your surroundings and and situations. The first time a chimpanzee stuck a small branch in a termite mound hole to let the termites sit on the stick and then pulled it out slowly to have some lunch, he must have felt the same excitement as you did getting into tight spots!!!! Awesome, way to go Andy! As for the brooch pin backs, yes, you first solder on the bezel and then the pin backs with lower grade solder. As a matter of fact, you have given me an idea for a video. Different pin back styles and ways to solder. ( I guess I just had an "Aha Moment" too!! ) Thank you for sharing. Take care. Greg Greenwood
@@greggreenwood4628 Hi Greg, I'm not too far removed from that monkey with a sharp stick, but I'm pleased with my efforts so far. Years ago my wife and I picked up a little bit of pottery off a local beach and I've had it in a jar for years with our other beach finds, I'd get it out every so often and look at it and now I've finally turned it into a pendant. The thickness was very variable so I decided to even it out using a tow part epoxy wood filler that sets rock hard and then I sanded it down to a uniformed thickness. It's such a small piece with significant differences of thickness in thickness that I don't think trimming the bezel was the way to go this time. I think I'll make a little TH-cam video so that you can see the work that you have inspired in me. All the best . . .Andy
@@greggreenwood4628Hi Greg, I said I'd make a video for you, I have, it's call called. 'This one’s for Greg, Greg Greenwood Jewelry...' (7 words) TH-cam wouldn't let me enter the link code here but if you cant find it, see if you can find it on my channel. . . AndyDaviesByTheSea All the best . . . Andy
Hello Andy, Thank you so much for making the video for me (and others). It is very touching that you took the time for me. I really enjoyed seeing your studio and the way you have set it up to fit your needs. Your pieces of jewelry are terrific! Blue pendant is great, I can see why your wife doesn't want to take it off. I can tell you have learned a lot from designing and building them. It is a great experience and a fulfilling reward for you!! I like the bail on the brass and silver one too. Direct and classic. You have some good inventions. I like the plexi screen shield for buffing. Brasso works well. Your beads are still a mystery to me! Someday I'll learn. I am not sure how you can even work with such a beautiful view out your window. Fabulous!!! Andy, I really appreciate the time and effort that you put into the video. By the time I finished watching, 8 more people had viewed it. Almost 100 views!! Way to go. Thank you very much for sharing and I am looking forward to seeing more of your pieces. Take care, and put the pendant back on your wife. Greg Greenwood
Hi, can you use the same equipment on sterling silver, copper, jewelers, gold, and argentum silver? Is there any tricks to soldering argentum silver that's different than soldering sterling silver? Thank you for your time.
Hello Lori, Yes, you can use the same equipment, but don't cross use them. Keep tools separate. Argentium silver is a different animal. You use the same techniques, but argentium has different characteristics. Learn how to solder using sterling silver and after you feel comfortable with silver, you can start exploring argentium. Greg Greenwood
@@greggreenwood4628 hi. Thank you for the reply. What do you mean by cross use? Are you saying I can't use the same pliers with argentium as well with sterling, or, are you saying that I can't use a sterling silver sheet base with an argentium silver bezel? Thank you for your time.
Hello Lori, If a jeweler is to use Argentium silver, then normally the jeweler will work exclusively in argentium. If you are going to use argentium, then do not use sterling silver and argentium in the same project. The two metals have different characteristics and different compositions that are not recommended to be used together. You can use your pliers etc on silver and argentium if you clean them between uses. Do not use the same polishing buffs. KEEP THESE SEPARATE. Some people don't worry about the cross contamination, but the general consensus in the industry is not to use the two metals together. I would recommend that you do more research into argentium before you start using it. It can be great but it is handled in a much different way that sterling silver. Greg Greenwood
Hello Greg. I'm having trouble soldering. I'm just starting to learn. And I'm trying to solder two 1.5mm brass sheets. I'm using technoflux soldar liquid. My silver solder will melt but will not flow. Always stays like a ball on the sheet. Is it because the metal is dirty?
Hello Hugo, Thanks for your question. Because you are just starting to learn, I would suggest that you watch my videos on soldering. Start with "5 Secrets to Perfect Silver Soldering", "Sweat Soldering Parts 1 and 2" and "What the Heck is Sterling Silver and Silver Solder". This will give a basic understanding about how soldering works. Just check out the soldering playlist. I'm sorry but I am not familiar with technoflux solder liquid. But it sounds like you are not heating the metal hot enough. Soldering is done by heating the metal hot enough to melt the solder. If you heat the solder first, it will ball up on the sheet. Also, sounds like your flux is burning off too soon. Brass needs a lot of heat and the borax flux can burn off too soon before the solder melts. This will make the solder not flow. Please check out those videos and then try again and let me know how it goes. Thanks for watching. Greg Greenwood
@@greggreenwood4628 I guess my liquid flux was too weak for the 30mm long plates i was trying to sollder. When I tried to solder 1.5 mm thick jumprings it worked every time. And Greg, you have great youtube chanel. I love to watch your videos.
Hi. So the store sold me wire solder in hard, medium, and easy. Can I take my wire solder and cut them into little pieces and flatten them to make the pallions? Or, can I lay them down on my annealing block, and turn them into little balls and use them the way you demonstrated in this video? I have the hardest time trying to use wire solder on rings just keep rolling off.
Hello Lori, I see that you have viewed my Top 5 Silver Solder Placement Methods video. Thanks. Don't worry about the store selling you the wire solder. I see that you have discovered the joys of "rolling off" wire solder!!!! You can do 2 things. 1.) Take a 6 inch length of the wire solder and flatten the whole thing with your forging or planishing hammer. You don't need to over do it. Just make it a little flat. Put some masking tape at the end of the flattened wire and mark it E,M,H for the grade of solder. Now you can cut your "Pallions", place them on the solder joint and they will not roll off. 2.) Or you can cut the raw wire into small pieces and ball them up and place with your pick or tweezers. Only cut the pieces when you need them for your project. No need to cut in advance. Check out my 'PLAY LIST ' Silver Soldering Techniques. There is a lot of information that you will find useful. I hope I have helped you. Let me know if you have any questions. Greg Greenwood
Hello thai bui, I am sorry, I have never made the paste solder. Because I use very little, I have only bought it pre-made. Sorry I cannot help you. Thank you very much for watching. Greg Greenwood
Alright Greg another question for you! Best solder for 925 jump rings for .9mm wire? And again for larger jump rings also 925 but 2.5mm wire ? And any advise on these? Thanks in advance
Hello Oklagrowma, I am assuming you are using silver solder for 925 silver. Easy, Medium, Hard....I doesn't mater the size of the wire. It is good practice to use the lowest melting temp solder (Easy) if you only have one solder joint to do. If not, use Hard first, Medium second, and Easy last. Hope this answers your question. Greg Greenwood
Question. I have tried paste before and it has created a lot of smoke. Is there a brand you may recommend that does not smoke. I find is so useful for very small pieces.
Hello Wanda, I believe that most of the paste solders have petroleum in them which will burn and smoke. The brand that I have does the same. Thanks for watching. I appreciate it. Greg Greenwood
Hello Flying Chef, I am not on IG. In a few weeks, I will have my new website going public. I will have my email on the site. I am interested in seeing what you made. Thanks and talk to you soon. Greg Greenwood
Hello Flying Chef, You had asked about my email address. Go to my channel and click on the "about" tab. My address will be there. You can send me your pictures of what you have made. Looking forward to seeing them. See you soon. Greg Greenwood
thank you Greg for all of your wisdom. It is quite wonderful that you are willing to share.
Hello Merilyn, Thank you for your kind comments. I appreciate it. Keep watching and if you have any questions in the future, please feel free to let me know. Thanks again. Greg Greenwood
Thank you, Greg, for the informative video! I have always been interested in trying stick feed soldering. After watching your video I feel like I have enough knowledge to finally give it a try. Thanks again and take care!
Hello Kelsy, Go for it! The best to you. Have fun!! Greg Greenwood
This is the best soldering video I've ever seen!!! Thank you so much, Greg!!!!
Hello Harrpika, Thank you very much for your kind comment. I really appreciate it. You are more than welcome. Check out my play list on silver soldering. There will be some pointers that may be of help to you. Thanks again. Greg Greenwood
Hello Greg, Thanks for this video. Very informative. I particularly liked the ball solder method as it will work well in tight spaces. I have not used that method in the past but will be practicing it today. Thanks again, and keep 'em coming.
Hello B Jones, Glad you like the video. Enjoy your practicing. It will be fun!! Greg Greenwood
The BEST! I find all your videos extremely informative and easy to follow. Thank you!
Hello Carol, Thanks you very much for your kind comments. I really appreciate it. You are more than welcome. Keep watching. Greg Greenwood
Greg, it’s great to see another helpful video from you! Thanks!!
Hello Texas gigi, Nice to hear from you. Thank you. Greg Greenwood
Hello Greg, your videos are great! Can you also do a demonstration on 10k, and 14k gold as well?
Hello Mrs, Sunar, Thank you for your kind comment. I appreciate it. Doing demonstrations in gold is very expensive. But when I get a gold commission, I will do a demo. Thanks for asking. Keep watching. Greg Greenwood
Great video, thanks for sharing your wisdom, appreciated as I needed to improve my soldering method 😊
Hello Elisa, Glad it helped and thanks for watching. Greg Greenwood
good to know and see all the options, and see them in play. I only ever used pallions.
Hello Frogfairy, Thanks for your comments. Give the pick a try. You'll love it. Greg Greenwood
Thank you for this! So many options to correlate with the method required for a particular piece.
Hello Lena, You are correct. That is what make metalsmithing so interesting. Keep watching. Greg Greenwood
Could you please talk about liquid flux / solder? And what about soldering 24k-14k gold?
Thanks, great channel, I appreciate your experience!
Hello Atmospheric, My next video is about pick soldering and I will be talking about and demonstrating liquid flux in that video. Please subscribe and ring the bell so you don't miss it. Gold videos are in the future. Thank you for watching and commenting. Your questions and suggestions are always welcome. Greg Greenwood
Thank you very much! Very helpful!
Hello Jan, Nice to hear from you. You are more than welcome. My pleasure!! Greg Greenwood
This is a GREAT and informative video. Thanks!!
Hello wolfiesown, Thank you very much for your kind comment. I appreciate it. Check out my video "Pick Silver Soldering". You may find it interesting too. Thanks for watching. Greg Greenwood
Thank you so much for the very clear and understandable information on soldering👍
Hello Suzan, You are very welcome. Thank you for watching. Greg Greenwood
Thank you so much Greg....it's very informative ...🙏🙏🙏
Hello Indra, You are very welcome. My pleasure! Thank you for watching. Greg Greenwood
Thank you for this informative video. Personally, I don't like to use the paste solder, as the flux has some nasty chemicals that are given off as gasses. In the UK, silver solder mainly comes in strips, which I roll down to .25mm thick. I then fringe the end and before cutting bend the end of the strip up through 90 degrees and then cut. This gives a pallion that is "L" shaped, which will sit over the join in a wire.
Hello David, I too am not a fan of paste solder. I only use it when all else will not work. Thank you for sharing your ideas. I appreciate it. Keep Soldering! Greg Greenwood
Hi Greg you realy know your trade well done.
Hello Howard, Thank you very much for your kind comment. Keep watching! If you have any questions in the future, please feel free to let me know. Greg Greenwood
One more question, please. When you do a ring soldier, do you do hard, solder, or medium solder? I know that you're supposed to use hard first in a multi solder project, then use medium, and lastly easy solder. For your video demonstrations, such as the ring, the project you soldered from the back, and the sweat solder project, which type of solder did you use? Thank you very much for your time..
Hello Lori, For the demonstration I used medium solder. Greg Greenwood
Some top tips there, great videos I'm learning 👍👍 thank you
Hello Scott, Glad you like them! Thank you for watching. Greg Greenwood
Lovely work!
Hello sk13ppy, Thank you for watching. Greg Greenwood
Thanks Greg, a very informative video!
Hello Judy, Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for watching! Greg Greenwood
When you sell and put a sold sign up on a house in the US is it Sod? I LOVE your info but I am struggling with the "sodder"! I've just sussed I can use subtitles and get the benefit of your amazing knowledge. Result!
Languages and pronunciations throughout the world are always fascinating and strange. Sorry you are struggling. Hope you will still learn from the videos. Greg Greenwood
Thank you very much!
Hello Lori, You're welcome! Greg Greenwood
Hi Greg I said I was going to make a little hotplate for Keum Boo work, you never said if you had done any or not? Anyway if you search for . ." Keum-Boo prototype miniature hotplate. Please read description as you might be wasting your time." . . you should find my video of my first test of a prototype heater. I'll make one in a more practical arrangement but at this stage I just wanted to share the idea on TH-cam. It's a long title but I didn't want to mislead folks into thinking that it was a "how to do Keum Boo demonstration." it's not.
All the best . . . Andy
Hello Andy, I replied on your site. Greg Greenwood
I'm working my way through your videos. Much of what you're teaching could be very useful to the hobbies I'd pursue. But I do have one question I don't know maybe you've answered it on one of your videos that I haven't gotten to. What I'd like to know is who supplies you with your tools and materials? I would be particularly interested and someone that I can do mail order or online purchases from. I live close to Chattanooga Tennessee so a jewelry supply house with a storefront in California would not be very useful, unless they had a online purchases.
Hello Paul, Thank you for watching my videos. I appreciate it. Rio Grande Jewelry Supply in Albuquerque, New Mexico is a great online source for tools and supplies. Thanks for your comments. Greg Greenwood
I love your videos!
Hello Wishingwell, Thank you very much. I appreciate it. Greg Greenwood
If I have silver solder paste and need to solder a male to female threaded joint, do I coat the threads with it or just apply it around where they come together after threaded on?
Hello stevbarto, I believe it would be best to coat the threads and then put a small amount where they come together. Thanks for your question. Thank you for watching. Greg Greenwood
Important thing when using solder paste: As can be seen briefly at 10:15, something in the paste will burn. So when using this e.g. on an end cap for a chain, the fumes produced by the burning paste can push your chain out of the end cap.
Hello Torsten, Good tip! Thank you for your input! Have a good one. Greg Greenwood
Hi Greg thank you, another exhalant video demonstration.
Well, I've eventually got my first order from Cooksongold (here in the UK) completed. Man it was painful. I'm sure it's not normal but they got there in the end. To fulfil one simple online order the order it's taken five phone calls and three deliveries. I've had items marked as being in the delivery that weren't there, some silver wire that I didn't order come by separate post and a number of contradictory emails saying that the items they forgot to pack will come tomorrow them another email to say it's going to be a month away and then again another saying I'll receive it the next day. Can you imagine the disappointment? I had bits of silver, brass and copper with the three grades of silver solder and a nice new jeweller's saw frame but they forgot to pack the multiple bundles of saw blades and 0.3mm drill bits!! I was like the kid with the Christmas present that came without the batterers, Boohoo! Anyway, forgive the rant, I hope they do better next time. Greg, I want to make a mixed metal pendant using silver and either copper or brass. The two pieces will be side by side such that both the silver and other metal will touch the skin of the wearer. My worry is what to do about the back of the none silver metal. I know that copper will colour a wrist or finger over time. (not sure about brass, maybe not as much,) I don't really want to have to put a thin silver back on the copper or brass. I particularly want a contrasting metal and gold is a bit too expensive for me to play with. Would you varnish the back or maybe fit it with something like a silver 'stand off' strip to keep it off the skin or am I worrying unnecessarily?? Right. . I'm off to practice the ball soldering method.
By the way, does anyone know of a good (friendly to novices) metal Jewellery makers forum. I've tried Cooksongolds forum site but it's painfully, painfuly slow, I do hope they get all of there problems resolved as they should be a great company to deal with.
Regards . . . Andy
Hello Andy, Wow! what a story. It is surprising to hear about Cooksongold. I thought that they had their act together better than that! Glad you finally got it all. As for your mixed metal pendant. Yes, copper and brass will turn many peoples' skin green. It doesn't look good when your client (or wife) goes to that very important party, and her neck is green!! The best that you can do is to spray the back of the copper or brass with lacquer. Mask off the silver. You can buy it at most paint stores. Get the 'clear lacquer'. This is what they use on musical brass instruments. It will not last forever, but it will last better than varnish. Sorry, I don't know of a forum for you. Take care and have fun practicing pick soldering. Greg Greenwood
@@greggreenwood4628 Thanks Greg. . .
Hello Andy, Anytime. Greg Greenwood
@@greggreenwood4628 Hi again Greg, can you tell me is there some magic way of pre conditioning a new charcoal block?? I had the nice new new clean shiny silver and brass all fluxed up and my little balls of solder ready and waiting and when I put the torch on the work piece a mountain of charcoal dust and liquid flux erupted up through the joints depositing what looks like finely divided black pepper all over the place!! It's all cleaned up well and subsequently soldered as it should, but it was a bit of a surprise. Should I burn it off or what??
Regards . . Andy
Hello Andy, Well, that sounds like fun!!! Did you get soft or hard charcoal? The better is hard charcoal. It will hold position well and not powder up. I like to wrap a binding wire around the perimeter of the block. This will help it from splitting. I show an example of this in my video "30+ Silver Soldering Set Ups". Also when you have pitted, soldered, fluxed the surface of the charcoal block, you can refinish it by rubbing an edge of an OLD file over the surface. This will reface it smooth, then torch the surface a little to get rid of the extra powder. Thanks for your great question. Take care. Greg Greenwood
Hi Greg, another question. I've looked at all of your videos, (and enjoyed and been inspired by all of them,) but I haven't seen anything about brooches. I haven't missed it have I??
I'm interested in seeing how you go about setting a hand made pin and separate hook on a back of a broch, that has or will have a bezel. I imagine that I'd put the bezel on first and then the bits on the back with a lower temp solder.. Something I wanted to share with you, I've had a bit of cleaning up to do and I've been using emery and a lollypop stick (from an ice-cream actually) I can cut and shape the wooden stick to the size I want and it's very convenient but I found that it's transformed to another level when I stick the emery to the lollypop stick with double sided tape. It makes cleaning up a joy. I can get these miniature sticks into tight spots, no problem, and when the end wears out I simple nip a few millimetres off the end with some old side cutters to exposes fresh grit. Maybe that's what everybody does? I wanted something better than a bit of paper wrapped around a stick. I did try sticking the emery with PVA adhesive but that was much less effective than the double sided tape.
All the best . . . Andy
Hello Andy, These are the moments that I live for in teaching. When a student discovers an "Aha Moment". Your ice cream stick cleaning tool is a perfect example. You are learning to adapt to your surroundings and and situations. The first time a chimpanzee stuck a small branch in a termite mound hole to let the termites sit on the stick and then pulled it out slowly to have some lunch, he must have felt the same excitement as you did getting into tight spots!!!! Awesome, way to go Andy!
As for the brooch pin backs, yes, you first solder on the bezel and then the pin backs with lower grade solder. As a matter of fact, you have given me an idea for a video. Different pin back styles and ways to solder. ( I guess I just had an "Aha Moment" too!! )
Thank you for sharing. Take care. Greg Greenwood
@@greggreenwood4628 Hi Greg, I'm not too far removed from that monkey with a sharp stick, but I'm pleased with my efforts so far.
Years ago my wife and I picked up a little bit of pottery off a local beach and I've had it in a jar for years with our other beach finds, I'd get it out every so often and look at it and now I've finally turned it into a pendant. The thickness was very variable so I decided to even it out using a tow part epoxy wood filler that sets rock hard and then I sanded it down to a uniformed thickness. It's such a small piece with significant differences of thickness in thickness that I don't think trimming the bezel was the way to go this time. I think I'll make a little TH-cam video so that you can see the work that you have inspired in me.
All the best . . .Andy
Hello Andy, What a great story! You are thinking out of the box. Great!! Thank you for sharing. Greg Greenwood
@@greggreenwood4628Hi Greg, I said I'd make a video for you, I have, it's call called. 'This one’s for Greg, Greg Greenwood Jewelry...' (7 words) TH-cam wouldn't let me enter the link code here but if you cant find it, see if you can find it on my channel. . . AndyDaviesByTheSea
All the best . . . Andy
Hello Andy, Thank you so much for making the video for me (and others). It is very touching that you took the time for me. I really enjoyed seeing your studio and the way you have set it up to fit your needs. Your pieces of jewelry are terrific! Blue pendant is great, I can see why your wife doesn't want to take it off. I can tell you have learned a lot from designing and building them. It is a great experience and a fulfilling reward for you!! I like the bail on the brass and silver one too. Direct and classic. You have some good inventions. I like the plexi screen shield for buffing. Brasso works well. Your beads are still a mystery to me! Someday I'll learn. I am not sure how you can even work with such a beautiful view out your window. Fabulous!!! Andy, I really appreciate the time and effort that you put into the video. By the time I finished watching, 8 more people had viewed it. Almost 100 views!! Way to go. Thank you very much for sharing and I am looking forward to seeing more of your pieces. Take care, and put the pendant back on your wife. Greg Greenwood
Hi, can you use the same equipment on sterling silver, copper, jewelers, gold, and argentum silver? Is there any tricks to soldering argentum silver that's different than soldering sterling silver? Thank you for your time.
Hello Lori, Yes, you can use the same equipment, but don't cross use them. Keep tools separate. Argentium silver is a different animal. You use the same techniques, but argentium has different characteristics. Learn how to solder using sterling silver and after you feel comfortable with silver, you can start exploring argentium. Greg Greenwood
@@greggreenwood4628 hi. Thank you for the reply. What do you mean by cross use? Are you saying I can't use the same pliers with argentium as well with sterling, or, are you saying that I can't use a sterling silver sheet base with an argentium silver bezel? Thank you for your time.
Hello Lori, If a jeweler is to use Argentium silver, then normally the jeweler will work exclusively in argentium. If you are going to use argentium, then do not use sterling silver and argentium in the same project. The two metals have different characteristics and different compositions that are not recommended to be used together. You can use your pliers etc on silver and argentium if you clean them between uses. Do not use the same polishing buffs. KEEP THESE SEPARATE. Some people don't worry about the cross contamination, but the general consensus in the industry is not to use the two metals together. I would recommend that you do more research into argentium before you start using it. It can be great but it is handled in a much different way that sterling silver. Greg Greenwood
Hello Greg. I'm having trouble soldering. I'm just starting to learn. And I'm trying to solder two 1.5mm brass sheets. I'm using technoflux soldar liquid. My silver solder will melt but will not flow. Always stays like a ball on the sheet. Is it because the metal is dirty?
Hello Hugo, Thanks for your question. Because you are just starting to learn, I would suggest that you watch my videos on soldering.
Start with "5 Secrets to Perfect Silver Soldering", "Sweat Soldering Parts 1 and 2" and "What the Heck is Sterling Silver and Silver Solder".
This will give a basic understanding about how soldering works. Just check out the soldering playlist.
I'm sorry but I am not familiar with technoflux solder liquid. But it sounds like you are not heating the metal hot enough. Soldering is done by heating the metal hot enough to melt the solder. If you heat the solder first, it will ball up on the sheet. Also, sounds like your flux is burning off too soon. Brass needs a lot of heat and the borax flux can burn off too soon before the solder melts. This will make the solder not flow. Please check out those videos and then try again and let me know how it goes. Thanks for watching. Greg Greenwood
@@greggreenwood4628 I guess my liquid flux was too weak for the 30mm long plates i was trying to sollder. When I tried to solder 1.5 mm thick jumprings it worked every time. And Greg, you have great youtube chanel. I love to watch your videos.
Hello Hugo, Glad I can help. Thank you for watching. Greg Greenwood
Hi. So the store sold me wire solder in hard, medium, and easy. Can I take my wire solder and cut them into little pieces and flatten them to make the pallions? Or, can I lay them down on my annealing block, and turn them into little balls and use them the way you demonstrated in this video? I have the hardest time trying to use wire solder on rings just keep rolling off.
Hello Lori, I see that you have viewed my Top 5 Silver Solder Placement Methods video. Thanks. Don't worry about the store selling you the wire solder. I see that you have discovered the joys of "rolling off" wire solder!!!! You can do 2 things. 1.) Take a 6 inch length of the wire solder and flatten the whole thing with your forging or planishing hammer. You don't need to over do it. Just make it a little flat. Put some masking tape at the end of the flattened wire and mark it E,M,H for the grade of solder. Now you can cut your "Pallions", place them on the solder joint and they will not roll off. 2.) Or you can cut the raw wire into small pieces and ball them up and place with your pick or tweezers. Only cut the pieces when you need them for your project. No need to cut in advance.
Check out my 'PLAY LIST ' Silver Soldering Techniques. There is a lot of information that you will find useful. I hope I have helped you. Let me know if you have any questions. Greg Greenwood
@@greggreenwood4628 Hi, thank you so much for the additional advice. It's greatly appreciated.
Hello Lori, You are very welcome. Greg Greenwood
Paste solder....can you guide to create it . thank you
Hello thai bui, I am sorry, I have never made the paste solder. Because I use very little, I have only bought it pre-made. Sorry I cannot help you. Thank you very much for watching. Greg Greenwood
Alright Greg another question for you! Best solder for 925 jump rings for .9mm wire? And again for larger jump rings also 925 but 2.5mm wire ? And any advise on these? Thanks in advance
Hello Oklagrowma, I am assuming you are using silver solder for 925 silver. Easy, Medium, Hard....I doesn't mater the size of the wire. It is good practice to use the lowest melting temp solder (Easy) if you only have one solder joint to do. If not, use Hard first, Medium second, and Easy last. Hope this answers your question. Greg Greenwood
@@greggreenwood4628 thank you so much
Hello Oklagrowma, Absolutely my pleasure. Greg Greenwood
Question. I have tried paste before and it has created a lot of smoke. Is there a brand you may recommend that does not smoke. I find is so useful for very small pieces.
Hello Wanda, I believe that most of the paste solders have petroleum in them which will burn and smoke. The brand that I have does the same. Thanks for watching. I appreciate it. Greg Greenwood
@@greggreenwood4628 thank you
Hello Wanda, You are very welcome. Greg Greenwood
Thanks!!
Hello Sandlappers, You're welcome. Greg Greenwood
Best video (1.7x
Hello Nills2gills, Thank you for watching. Greg Greenwood
Can't find you on IG, you there? I want to send you a picture of something I made that you inspired.
Hello Flying Chef, I am not on IG. In a few weeks, I will have my new website going public. I will have my email on the site. I am interested in seeing what you made. Thanks and talk to you soon. Greg Greenwood
Hello Flying Chef, You had asked about my email address. Go to my channel and click on the "about" tab. My address will be there. You can send me your pictures of what you have made. Looking forward to seeing them. See you soon. Greg Greenwood