Making Box Clasps: A Silversmithing Tip

[@wendygerrish4964]

Box clasps are amazing. Great tutorial thank you.

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks Wendy! Here is a video that shows me making several more styles of clasp, and this video shows how to make the box clasp that was on the thumbnail of the other video you commented about:). kzbin.info/www/bejne/r3WkaIiGiJ6nrsUsi=LhUQLGdvQ9AD0Xsj

[@flyingcheff]

Yessss! 🌺🌺🌺 A trick for using metal as shims for support was given to me by a goldsmith friend: have a collection of similar size guage metal pieces in copper that is highly oxidized/dirty to balance parts. That tip has worked for me. Soldering furniture! Beautiful clasp, Chad. Loved this. By the way, I REALLY think a clasp series would be fantastic!

[@chadssilversmithing]

Oh, I’m sure I’ll do more clasps:). Thanks Flying Chef!

[@texasgigi3684]

I use titanium clips folded into different shapes.

[@flyingcheff]

@texasgigi3684 Hi! I use those, too. (I bought a pack from Knew Concepts, but they are easy and cheap to make from titanium sheet from Amazon or other metal sellers) They work really well. I was referring to using a shim (at the opposite side of the disc about to be cut) to balance the thickness of the sheet of metal while using a disc cutter. This helps keep the cutting edges sharp and the disc cutter accurate over the life of the tool. I live how Chad's channel helps metalsmiths learn from each others tips and tricks, especially his. 🌺 🌺 🌺

[@tammiehonican76]

That was a great video. Your instructions are great. You make me think I could do it, eventually and once I become more experienced. And yes those t-pins are great. I also did macrame in the 70s. Plus my husband and I have had a boat repair business since 1991 and I did boat upholstery for 40yrs and t-pins were my best friend! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and have a good day!

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thank you Tammie! I have no doubt you could do it with a bit of practice! You have a good day too:)

[@bees5461]

Those are all nice clasps, another great tutorial. I really like the little one using square wire with a square tube, looks like a fun one to make, although I like all of them. The one for a 3 string necklace is very cool as well, yours looks very well made.

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thank you very much! I appreciate the nice feedback Bees:)

[@Benomar1951Ben]

Hello from Benomar. Please be healthy, happy and creative.

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thank you Benomar! You too!

[@Pbrady711]

Haven’t started the video yet but I came because I want YOUR take on this . I appreciate your knowledge and explanations and know it comes from hands on experience. So for that reason I clicked on this video . I subscribed a few weeks ago and love the channel brother. Keep ‘‘em coming and be safe and guided always. Thanks for sharing your journey with the world 🌎

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks arabiclearner! I appreciate the nice comment:)

[@karenfinneganart2480]

It will make it so much better making our own findings. Thank you, Chad

[@chadssilversmithing]

Here's another more recent clasp video as well Karen. kzbin.info/www/bejne/r3WkaIiGiJ6nrsUsi=oUJX_m4teBVK6qHN

[@paulinemegson8519]

been away a few days and there’s a clasp video when I get back…….YESSS!!! I love being able to create clasps and not being reliant on bought pieces. Thanks for this :)

[@chadssilversmithing]

Sure Pauline. It was good for me to revisit this, as I have been trying to refine my detail soldering. I particularly like how the one pictured in the thumbnail turned out, and will probably dedicate a short video showing that one specifically. Thanks for the comment!

[@kristibbradshaw]

Thank you so much for these tutorials. I really appreciate them.

[@chadssilversmithing]

You are so welcome Kristi!

[@allanthompson9695]

Really nice clasp. Thanks for sharing your skills and Knowledge Chad. All the Best.

[@chadssilversmithing]

You’re welcome Allan! Thanks for the nice comment:)

[@wynemawalker]

These are gorgeous! Would love a vid of the last clasp!!

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks Wyn! I will probably do multiple clasp videos as time permits. Glad you liked this one:)

[@KayGasnerKGDESIGNS]

Excellently done, love these, thanks so much ❤

[@chadssilversmithing]

I’m really glad you like them Kay. Thanks for the nice comment!

[@LryuzakiLN]

Need more of these please! Thank you! Just subscribed for this video :)

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thank you Sasuke. I have plans to periodically revisit clasps, as people really seemed to appreciate this one. Take care.

[@prubin111]

I love these!!! Mahalo 🌺🤙🏻❤️

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks Paula. I hadn’t made anything like this for a while, so it was kind of fun:)

[@sherihinton8183]

Thanks! Always wanted to know how to make these!!!

[@chadssilversmithing]

These aren’t super hard, just require a little time and precision:). Thanks for the comment Sheri!

[@JustME-ft4di]

Fabulous! Hoping to try this soon. Also want to try to make some spherical magnetic clasps if can work out how to.

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks Just Me! I should get some tiny magnets and try to build a clasp around them. Good idea!

[@JustME-ft4di]

Cool! I’d love to see what you would do. I was thinking of making two domes that fit together to form a sphere.

[@texasgigi3684]

Back when I was just getting started, I made a beaded coral choker. I then went to my favorite bead store and told them that I wanted a clasp for my choker. They had several kinds, but I wound up buying a clasp with a oval onyx cabochon on it. So my clasp was hidden, and it became the centerpiece of my choker. It looked nice.

[@chadssilversmithing]

I’ve considered making a necklace where the clasp is the focal point, just haven’t settled on a design yet:)

[@texasgigi3684]

@@chadssilversmithing Looking forward to it!!

[@avianfish8732]

Top job

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks Avianfish! This video shows how to make the one pictured on the thumbnail as well as two other types: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r3WkaIiGiJ6nrsUsi=3eajiLG62145QGna

[@puresas]

Hi thank you for doing an episode on box clasps. please do a short video on the last one, I think I have it but a demo would be great. Thanks. I need to buy you a coffee :)

[@chadssilversmithing]

You’re welcome Chris. I thought it was about time for another type of clasp. It may be about 6 months or so before I get to that specific video, but it is in the works. Thanks for the nice comments Chris!

[@SP-fy4fx]

Congrats on 2k. Great video. I did a box clasp a while ago in a class. Your clasp is similar but looks very clear in execution with fewer steps. I'd love to see the last clasp in a video. Even though it looks doable with what you showed, hints are always great. A little more close-ups of the box clasp, version 1 during the video would be great for next time, a suggestion, not criticism. Being a Patron is a great benefit - I love the extra projects.

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks SP! I’m excited this is growing. No need to apologize for constructive criticism. I actually value suggestions to make things better!

[@sharonwaller6716]

Brilliant thanks for sharing this, I new to silversmithing and I'm half way through a college course I to don't like sawing and cut my silver if I ca its all triple and many errors. I did casting for the first time it came out Brilliant and then the second one only half cane out lol

[@chadssilversmithing]

Glad you found it useful Sharon! I haven’t done casting for a long time, but I remember it being kind of fun:). Thanks for the comment!

[@reidsmith9575]

A-HA!!!! You DO own a bench pin! ;)

[@chadssilversmithing]

Hehe. One of these days I’ll make myself a nice well shaped one out of Walnut or something. Been using the saw more lately because of these videos:)

[@mawi1172]

I have a question, Chad. That flux sprays onto the whole piece. Does it make a mark on the metal, to be cleaned off in the pickle? Does flux elsewhere than the join leave residue? 🤔🤔🤔 When sprayed on or even applied widely? Idk what I mean. But does flux stain in anyway?

[@chadssilversmithing]

It does leave residue, but picklesafe dissolves it.

[@hosseinkhedry6812]

🌹🌹🌹

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks Hossein!

[@DavidChatterton-j6b]

I made a really nice sterling silver box lock, but the tongue keeps getting flattened out due to it being too soft. Should the tongues be hardened?

[@chadssilversmithing]

I usually work harden them manually to make them a bit springier.

[@DavidChatterton-j6b]

@@chadssilversmithing After the button is soldered on and it is finished? How do you do that? Cheers.

[@chadssilversmithing]

@@DavidChatterton-j6b Usually by bending it back and forth with a pair of pliers:)