How You Have Improved My Silversmithing Process

[@JamesDevaney-nm7oc]

Idea for video: finish polishing, including getting into the tight spaces. Getting to the ability to have a finished piece. Professional Quality!

[@ericdavis9210]

This would be great!

[@chadssilversmithing]

Excellent idea James! Thank you:)

[@flyingcheff]

@@JamesDevaney-nm7oc And I promise I won't say a thing (Not!) LOL 😅 😅

[@JustME-ft4di]

You are an excellent teacher Chad! I have learnt so much from watching your channel. I made a friend a brooch that I would not have been able to do without this channel. It was the first complicated thing I had made and the kinds of techniques you teach on here were exactly what I needed to work out how to do it. You are also a kind, humble, funny person who it is a pleasure to spend time with here on KZbin. I’m a ex philosopher (yes I really am…) and changing your mind on the basis of new information is a sign of great intelligence, as I am sure you are aware. As for pickle I use hot water with citric acid. I have a lot of chemical sensitivities so have to be careful what I use. It works just fine! I could really do with a video on ways to clean up the tops of bezels without damaging stones and how to get a high polish on pieces with a hand held rotary tool. Info on the exact wheels and order to use them etc.

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks Just Me! What a nice comment! I'll do a vid about cleaning up bezel tops and irons sometime this year.

[@LizWarner-iw7fx]

I started watching you when you had 80 subscribers. Love your videos! I've learned so much from you. I'm in your patreon group and am glad to be supportive of your channel. I appreciate your authenticity - so refreshing in these crazy times! I'm looking forward to another year of great instruction and cool ideas.

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thank you for sticking around Liz! Nothing makes me happier than to find out I helped someone to learn:). Happy new year Liz!

[@denisecoyne6447]

The weird personal bias, lol happens with selling a piece too. My friends always laughs at me when I think something I made is ugly and its the first thing that sells at a show. And the one that I am most proud of sits not selling. I have found there Is something for everyones taste.

[@chadssilversmithing]

My exact experience:)

[@ElinHaugan]

What you spoke of here is what I love so much about your channel 😊 You actually mean it when you say you want our ideas or opinions on your work and I love that you take time to read all the feedback and to respond 🙏 I've grown as a beginner from watching your videos and reading all the comments to now be able to do more advanced pieces. I'm so greatfull that I found you, Chad, thank you so very very much!

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thank you Elin! I'm glad I've been able to help you! Listening to well intended input helps me to get better, and I get to know nice people from all around the world:)

[@flyingcheff]

Chad, you've handled this topic absolutely fantastically! I think sometimes it's not about being wrong or right, just maybe gaining proficiency and efficiency. The pickle thing (totally my opinion) is to quench in room temperature water, then pickle the not hot metal in warm pickle. This way, the pickle which is a bit toxic, doesn't sublimate into the air (hot metal in pickle), but you still get the better cleaning and definitely faster pickling. It's just safer, cleaner, and faster. Room temperature pickle takes MUCH longer. The pickle angle is mostly about safety and secondarily about efficiency. A fun experiment: Make two soldered "dirty" pieces and put one dirty piece of metal (not hot, quenched in water) in room temp pickle, time it to its clean state. Then, put a dirty piece of metal (also quenched in water) in warm or slightly hotter (not too hot, it shouldn't be steaming as it sits, as that will simply evaporate it quickly), and time how long it takes to get clean. Another interesting thing about quenching in particular is that annealed metal that is quenched in cool water instead of left to cool naturally, will be more soft. Quenching when hot (but not red hot) freezes the grain structure of the metal in its most relaxed state. Before its slowly recrystalizes. Different ways of quenching are also valid for different metals. Gold, for example has several best practices based on alloy. Another fun idea would be to do some side by side comparison of techniques - on video, with us. We could all learn together. I want to learn from your other viewers, too! Great video!!! Well done. Ps. Edie's husband (you) has beautiful blue eyes! 🌺

[@chadssilversmithing]

Great information Flying Chef as always! I appreciate your kind and well thought out comments. Thanks!

[@ZenRacingForza]

Video idea. Some side by side scientific tests for some of the things like pickling temps, types of solder, soldering near previously soldered areas. etc. developing the hypothesis, testing process, and repeatable testing techniques of the outcomes may be just as interesting as the results. Strength, efficiency, aesthetics. I really liked the video where you explained the efficiency of pick soldering in real time while you were talking about it so casually. That video changed my workflow on day one. Thanks 🙏

[@chadssilversmithing]

Great ideas Zen! Thank you for the good suggestions:). I'm glad pick soldering has helped you!

[@rochellebg]

I've taken a few online classes, learned a LOT from KZbin tutorials such as yours, and am also otherwise pretty much self-taught learning by trial and error. There are so many different ways to do things to get similar results. I am always evolving and learning new ways to do things. Happy New Year Chad! Looking forward to seeing what you have in store in 2025!

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks Rochelle! I pretty frequently have "duh" moments when someone points out an obvious better way that I didn't think of:)

[@rochellebg]

@chadssilversmithing Me too! Those face palm moments! 🤦‍♀️ Lots of brilliant ideas out there!

[@Metalsmithnna]

Hey Chad, your humility is such a great example to all of us! Thanks for a great video, I appreciate your thought journey and openness to new ideas. I’m also self-taught and struggle with imposter syndrome, your honesty is encouraging me to stretch my skills and try some new techniques. We’re never too old to learn, are we??

[@denisecoyne6447]

Happy New Year!

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thank you Denise! Happy New Year to you as well:)

[@toinettevanschalkwyk8378]

Firstly allow me to wish you and your family a wonderful and blessed new year. What I like about your channel is the amount of advice and knowledge you share. And I love the humour you drop sometimes. Your relaxed way of presenting your videos is a great way to wind down and just absorb all the beauty of silversmithing. Thank you!

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thank you so much! It's really nice of you to say that Toinette! I hope you have a great year as well:).

[@michaelwarren4122]

Nicely done. Just downloaded your 2024 project guide. Excellent sources of inspiration. Thanks.

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thank you Michael! I hope you enjoy it:)

[@valeriejewell5136]

Just got the 2023 project guide then you announced the 2024 with some kind of special on both.

[@laszlosoltesz3772]

Thank you Chad, I really enjoy your videos. You teaching experience really shines while your humility makes a rookie like me feel that yes I can. Glad to have found your channel.

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks Laszlo! That's a really nice thing to say:). Glad you are enjoying them!

[@JohnDoe2.01]

Thanks Chad for your humble and informative videos. You are a good teacher. You will continue to grow and prosper as long as you remain teachable. I'm sure I'm not the only "senor citizen" who uses your channel to teach and encourage them. I wish I could support your endeavors here with more than a thanks. The reality is that I am dealing with several terminal health issues and the majority of the "fixed income" goes to doctors and medical expenses. I just wanted to remind you that you will continue to prosper not only from those who support you financially (a necessity) but those who you help that support you on a more spiritual way. Whether in forms of prayer, well wishes, or other ways. That energy will always come back to you. I just wanted to thank you and encourage you to keep doing what you are doing. You help people in ways you may not be aware of. Also I wanted to encourage you to be more proactive in safety and protecting your health. You will understand and appreciate it better in 30 or more years from now. Again thank you for your time, energy, and knowledge you share with all. Keep Smiling and Stay Grateful

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thank you JohnDoe! That was a really nice comment and I appreciate you taking the time to write it. I’m sorry to hear about your health problems. Take care and happy new year!

[@ZenRacingForza]

Happy New Year. Looking forward to spending 2025 with this community

[@chadssilversmithing]

@@ZenRacingForza Thanks Zen! Happy new year:)

[@debbiemcdowell5588]

Like you a few classes but self taught for the most part. Still like to watch videos or pick up a class . Enjoy your videos very much.

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks Debbie!

[@hiprojm]

Many thanks Chad for your nice and very useful videos. I learned a lot from you and started making some nice pieces inspired on your models. I started cutting gemstones about 18 months ago and wanted to be able to conrol everything fron raw stone to final jewels and I managed it with your videos! I love your simplicity and excellent teaching capacities. Thanks also for working with the metric system! Happy new year to all of you and I will continue following you as long as possible!

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks Hiprojm! It’s fun to find a stone, cut it, and then make a piece of jewelry around it. I wish I had more time to cut a few things:)

[@stephenbergendahl]

chad you are there you are feeling like your just human and there is better out there and my friend no competition your on top and are a good man to call master

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks Stephen!

[@flyingcheff]

Hahahaha! As a pilot, I can say I WON'T be flying it while I build it!!! Lol 😅😅😅 Love the roast in the pan story, so apt!

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks Flying Chef! I appreciate the video idea!

[@stephenbergendahl]

i learned the things i know etched in stone people find their way and i find my self understanding i am performing at a higher end and they are also were different in procedure same outcome

[@chadssilversmithing]

Everyone eventually finds the way that suits them best!

[@edatao2]

Very good teacher. Would be nice to get closer camera shots. Also could use some close up videos on final finishing. Thank You 🙏

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks! I will try to get the closest shots I can without burning up my phone:)

[@edatao2]

Would like to see how to do brooch with pin on back. How and when to make 925 and logo, especially on ring. When I stamp it always disfigures piece. 😢

[@chadssilversmithing]

Great idea on stamping! Here are two vids where I do pins: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpuYhWykfZ2Eq5Ysi=zof7onJYLJv8JQsj. and kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJnUpZeuo71mr7csi=gnkLBrhNi08OIza1

[@stephenbergendahl]

my only compition is me myself i am allways in my mind to be better

[@chadssilversmithing]

That's Kind of how I think too.

[@stephenbergendahl]

as a teacher

[@chadssilversmithing]

:)

[@stephenbergendahl]

ill Guarantee you go camping and its a guarantee build a fire and someone says that aint how you build a fire

[@chadssilversmithing]

Hehe! Isn't that the truth:)

[@jonbruford7950]

Going to have my first go at a basket setting tomorrow (Cheers for the excellent video 🙂) - got a nice brilliant cut 5mm Ruby... if that goes well i'll be making an engagement ring for my partner, going to try 3 baskets; so(l)dered together! excellent channel, great presentation, thanks for the help.

[@chadssilversmithing]

Good luck! Make sure you show us a picture on Discord now that you signed up for Patreon! Thanks for that by the way:)