Cleaning up a Silver Ring, Removing Solder, Making Round and Buffing Ready For Polishing

The follow on film showing how to clean up a silver ring once you have soldered it.
Andrew Berry shows you that you don't need to waste your time on un-necessary equipment to produce a professional finish.
Andrew shows you many hints and tips that he has gained from his experience as a professional goldsmith.
Andrew Berry, a professional jeweller for 30 years, is the training director of www.AtTheBench.com, an award winning on line jewellery training website.

[@PRosen-rh6sv]

Andrew , I feel like I have found the right teacher at just the right time. Brilliant instruction. So clear and concise and you are so generous in sharing tips and techniques that have taken you a lifetime to learn. I am so grateful and thankful to you !

[@gabrielkirkbaca2910]

Andrew , I went to a school to learn all aspects of the jewelry industry. Haveing been watching your channel, I could have saved 10's of thousands of dollars learning from you. Keep up the great job your doing.

[@someoneyoudontknow7407]

I’m learning myself and wow I wish I would have really started earlier. Iv wanted to move metal for so long, I just never had the money or willpower. Comments like yours are nice to see. I know I’m on the right path.

[@gabrielkirkbaca2910]

@@someoneyoudontknow7407 , you have to remember, you're a artist. Good luck on your journey 👍

[@emilianobryson9608]

i guess Im asking the wrong place but does any of you know of a trick to get back into an instagram account?? I was stupid forgot my account password. I love any tricks you can give me!

[@jaxsongrady7617]

@Emiliano Bryson instablaster :)

[@emilianobryson9608]

@Jaxson Grady i really appreciate your reply. I got to the site through google and I'm waiting for the hacking stuff atm. I see it takes a while so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@damienpalianta6325]

i love how you go "he sais" as you mess up the thing youre trying to explain lol, obviously not major messups but the humor is refreshing in these instructionals

[@annahnolet1873]

"Life is to short for this." Says Andrew, I agree. 🤣🤣🤣

[@dinoquintana4319]

Andrew I have been a professional carpenter /contractor for the last 25 yrs it never fails to amaze me that the best tradesmen were always the ones who knew their trade but also wasted the least motion/energy. I see that the jewelry trade is the same.pleasure to watch you work.twice as fast if you weren't teaching and filming

[@MerlinAndPercy]

Love your channel, made my first ever ring today. Wouldn’t have been possible without you!

[@gina2190]

It’s lovely watching a craftsman at work .

[@jwon5614]

Your videos are a gift from heaven for a new jewelry student!! THANK YOU😄😄😄😄😄😄!!!!

[@tokenstudiolondon845]

Best jewellery making KZbinr ever

[@stapocryphal]

It is important to note that the grinding down of the grit is a property of silicon carbide, which given the black color Andrew seems to be using (Andrew is that correct?). Emery a generic term in the USA that is a mix of several things including Aluminum Oxide and your results may vary depending on the source. Aluminium Oxide breaks down slower than Silicon Carbide so the "softening" effect Andrew mentions may take longer. Finally Europe and the USA use different classifications of grit. Most of Europe use a FEPA classification where the 600 grit (usually referred to with the prefix "P" as in P600) roughly translates into what is available by the CAMI designation in the USA as 400 grit.

[@jenl336]

I just had a major AH-HA moment with the buff stick info. Thank you so much!! I love watching your films. Ive learned so much from watching them. Thank you!! 😊

[@jaykay415]

Super helpful, thank you. Your camera is great, and it's nice to watch you go through the process. It's always good to see how other people work (easy to get in your own bubble, and reinforce your own bad habits).

[@susanellis7780]

Thanks for a minimalist approach. I would rather use small tools than massive machinery😊

[@EmilyEden23]

Thank you so much. These videos are absolutely what we need to get started with jewellery making. You've done an amazing job of them!

[@les4570]

Incredibly helpful and clear video! I really appreciate this information so much, I love how you explain the most fast and efficient ways of doing things based on all of your experience. I feel like watching these videos is saving me so much time and trial and error! Such valuable content here, truly truly appreciate it.

[@bartsimpson8680]

Hi Andrew I have watched your video and now am making my 20th pendant.

[@candaceb.8978]

Thank you for your being so generous about sharing your knowledge. I love your channel.

[@sandyr3132]

Hi Andrew Thank you so much for your free videos. I have learned so much valuable information from you. ♥️

[@elisazulueta9535]

I learned so much from you, thank you for being exceptional teacher and you helped me a lot. Currently, am taking jewelry making . The tips and tricks that you shared I will cherish most ❤.

[@inderpalkaur9320]

You are a exceptionally good teacher.👌👌👌

[@elisazulueta9535]

Thank you Andrew for sharing your expertise 😀

[@kathleendobsonpiasecki9703]

Always learn a few new tips watching your videos!

[@nilo70]

Thank you Sir , For making this wonderful video , and CHEERS FROM CALIFORNIA!

[@robbye01]

Love this! Thank you. Very well demonstrated.

[@patriciacalvinho4629]

I love what you do! I learn a lot, thanks for sharing!

[@skeeter629]

You are inspiring. Thank you.

[@saradavies2275]

Yeah I agree with last comment, best tuition & advice from Andrew Berry. Brilliant 👍

[@guysmith6394]

Ron Fournier (the Master Metalworker/race car builder/Fournier Enterprises), had recommended rubbing the cutting surface or a file across a bar of soap, to help prevent the file teeth from loading up with the softer metals being filed. This might be a very useful trick for jeweler so to put into daily practice

[@leonardpearlman4017]

I've had great results with hard soap filing aluminum, haven't tried on copper and silver yet. Good suggestion! I use "Zote" soap from the Mexican laundry section. You get a big bar, it smells good and is very solid. Takes some of the misery out of working aluminum anyway.

[@chauffeurmarco]

Thank you again for sharing.

[@headbangerhank]

he says haha. Amazing video and fantastic character! Andrew, you're great!

[@carolejameson4238]

Thankyou Andrew for you're very clear and concise tutorials,I particularly appreciate you're common sense approach. I've only just discovered you o n you tube , I am brushing up on my skills learned at art school 20years, ago ,wish I had known about you then ,could have saved myself a lot of frustration,particularly you're tips on cutting the wire for a ring with an overlap with just the one cut. It was strictly forbidden by my tutor!

[@maur2861]

Excellent and informative - thank you.

[@tyedye571]

Thank you so much. I've been doing it all wrong! I learned so much from this!

[@ValerieWhittington]

Great Tips... thanks so much.

[@3flashcan]

Andrew . I've been repairing jewelry for 38 years . I found I can get just as good a finish . Just using ladies emery boards they use to file there finger nails . I use the thicker ones . You have 2 grits on the boards. Works great . Think you will like them .

[@angiegulzow2882]

I'm a beginner and quickly found a emery block as I was building my tools. I still use emery block. It has four grits with foam center, great for curves. Love It!

[@wendyannh]

@@angiegulzow2882 I like those too. They are a lot easier on my hands, as well as the other advantages of the foam.

[@apprendrelabijouterieenaut869]

@@angiegulzow2882 hi, I was wondering where do you purchase it ? thanks a lot !!

[@angiegulzow2882]

Agnes Ismay new discovery; tack fine sandpaper around a sanding sponge. Works like a charm

[@apprendrelabijouterieenaut869]

@@angiegulzow2882 thank you ! I'm gonna check it out !

[@eamonobroin]

Thanks Andrew, another really helpful video :)

[@stormyeffects4795]

You are a very kind little guy.

[@paulinelevesque592]

Wow, awesomely helpful video!

[@davidpellecerthelearningch2191]

I love your work keep it up you're such an inspiration to me I am also a jeweler. God bless.

[@mattklasen968]

Amazing!! Thanks for inspiring:)

[@samuellaramsey5824]

You're the best! Thank you!

[@suemcarthur105]

thanks for your time

[@Alexkasai]

This vid is prime example of if u want to learn how u will, if u watch whole vid he makes u can learn as much as u would as going school for it

[@olgaalexander5856]

excellent tutorials, any advice about setting up a bench in your home, best practices and ventilation?

[@ovagonema]

Mr.berry you are the coolest :)

[@rickmeadows686]

I learned something today!

[@annadkins6477]

i buy the paint stirrers to make mine...

[@tammygurl64]

At 01:55... "Life is too short for that!".😂 I agree. I couldn't have said it better myself! 😄 I've actually been using my manicure files and 4-sided file sponges. If someone isn't making tons of jewelry, they work great on small stuff but I'll be sure to pick up some 600 grit. Thanks for the tip!👍 😊

[@gina2190]

What a concise great teacher, I may go to that college course for jewellery making as I’m thinking I can do this , well maybe, he makes it look easy , it’s not I bet :) best but was being tight with the emery paper haha 😆

[@lirijewellery8074]

Totally love how you're not precious about ye olde techniques. Let's learn, improve, get it done better and quicker - love it

[@ceafva]

Thank you

[@henfrohardy4155]

great video, very helpful! I'm curious, (1) could I cast a ring with lead free solder, how strong would the finished product be? (2) could I cast with recycled aluminum cans, and how strong would that finished product be? Thank you for and keep up the VERY informative videos!

[@englandshistory]

Hello andy... been watching lots of your vids as just getting into making jewellery... great vids... after watching one of your vids you talked me into getting the sievert torch.. it recently came with the needle burner... my question is... do you recommend a additional burner for the sievert that will smelt down some old silver coins. Cheers sid 👍🏼

[@Susanarylander]

As always excellent tutorial! A couple of questions. Because i have weak hands I get a bit tired w lots of filing. I tend to use rotary wheel attachments like Dedeco wheels etc. same difference ? I know it’s not the purest way but maybe fine? Of course it’s slower as I have to change grits but I use to flexshaft s so it’s a tiny bit quicker Also, I was always told not to go back and forth w files but i see you do it. It’s fine?

[@b7305]

Really enjoying the videos could you either tell me or if you have already done any videos to point me in the right direction, I’m wanting to do a couple of jump rings in gold after which, what is the best/correct way to clean gold after soldering. Kind regards.

[@mary-annkieckhaben5026]

Thank you vor oll is a super Tutorial

[@Frigger20]

Thanks so much Andrew ! I just soldered an intricate design in thin wire on to a flat piece and used too much solder. The wire design now sits in a pool of solder... Any clues on how to remove the excess solder from in the middle of that bendy wire design ? I’m learning :-)-

[@Matteo7512]

Dear Andrew, can I ask for a video how to elaborate and finishing platinum jewelry and what kind of tools are needed? If any extra needed. Thank you in advance.

[@YadahYahweh]

What if the ring has a deeper scratch than a 600 grit can remove quickly? Do you use 300 or 400 first? Thank you for this vid!

[@jamesnewman8392]

Is mixing silver gold platinum and copper of equal weights a new alloy? And if so how do you recommend mixing them ? I have a gram of each either here or on the way and want some insight as how to do it before smelting them. Plan to make a ring with it

[@teapotwood2817]

Thanks for sharing this video, It has been a great help. Can I ask, when purchasing a ring file, what cut should it be?

[@denisenunya7054]

TeaPotWood did you ever find the answer to that question? I’m looking through these to see if anyone says what cut because I need that info as well.

[@infledermaus]

Regarding the emery sticks, here in the US, Home Depot sells paint mixing sticks for like a buck a dozen. Perfect for making your own. Also I purchased some small nail-file sized emery sticks at a local hobby shop that have lasted for over three years. The coarse stick is diamond coated. There are about 6 in a package ranging from very coarse to ultra fine (so fine you can polish to a shine with it!). They are just the right size, too! I also use them to do my nails!! LOL! Is it me or does anyone else feel a need to watch grammar and spelling because Andrew is British (who invented the English language) and very articulate? Hahaha! EDIT 8/26/18: Sorry Andrew. I have to get political here. Since the Koch brothers, who were instrumental in bringing us trump and the hideous tax cuts for the rich, I would try to find them somewhere else such as a paint shop or another hardware store. Don't shop at Home Depot and give more money to the Kochs to help them destroy our democracy!

[@christinadegal3837]

I make beaded jewelry, and I'm thinking of making metal jewelry. What would be a good beginners book, and tool set to get?

[@n3m4ra]

That half-round half-flat file you have... How smooth is it, what type?

[@juliepeck6915]

What’s your go to when getting down into smaller areas? Like on a more detailed ring or pendant?

[@artistcg]

0 seconds ago What if you need to remove scratches, from a back plate for example, before proceeding to solder a bezel onto it? I struggle with that sandpaper method, because I always seem to add additional scratches, and like you stated here, it's too time consuming to go through several papers.

[@cathmaguire7887]

Quick question do u have a video on soldering bezel to ring? Mine hasn't attached

[@nuancematters]

I have a couple of questions: In the last video, when you put the ring into the safety pickle...how long is it supposed to remain in there? The other thing is...as a complete beginner, I won't have any already used emery paper so should I then still only use the one grade? I am a little confused about this. I will only be able to have the used buff pad after I have used it a few times so won't have the different grades within the buff pad initially

[@MyLink44]

+Andrew Berry Captain Andrew Lol, great clean- up demonstration.I'm an old dog learning new tricks,"she said" lol

[@TheDog751]

Im wanting to start making rings as a hobby. What items will I need starting out to make gold/silver rings? Thanks alot! love the videos

[@sharid76]

@Hunter M - Heavenly days! 🤤 This sounds very similar (with obvious deviations, of course) to the investment in, and variety of, the tools, 🛠 supplies and equipment that my husband has been constantly acquiring (and replacing from wear, age, and upgrading/antiquity) for the last 40 years working on🚐🚗🚘🚙⛟ automotive transmissions! It's been a constantly "rotating investment" 💸💸 but fortunately also substantially tax deductible, as that is how he has provided our livelihood from two years after the time we were married👰🤵 (at 19 and 20) and he got his discharge from the USAF, to now, 👵👴while enjoying grandchildren and contemplating retirement! Yes, that's a considerable amount of supplies and equipment, so, it's probably a pretty good idea to be fairly sure that it's something you're going to want to stick with for some time to come! And perhaps derive income💰from as well. Even though it is possible to resell most of it to someone else with the same initial interest and desire to learn, it would be difficult at best to retrieve all💰💰 you put into it by doing so. Just be very sure that's what you want to do - is what I'd tell anybody who's looking at such a venture. What would I possibly know about it? My grandfather👴 was a bench jeweler from before I was born, taught me enormous amounts of knowledge of the biz 💍beginning when I was 9, 👧🏼and the only thing that stopped him was losing his sight 👀to macular degeneration 😢in both eyes in his 70's. Had that not been the case, he would have died⚰ at his bench, polishing a piece he had created, or faceting stones of some kind. He did that, too. Very well. Well enough in fact to have done some diamond💎faceting work for Harry Winston "back in the day" as they say. I saw pictures of the finished pieces - outstanding, of course, as anything less would not have been acceptable! 😉

[@iamsupersammie]

Thanks for this list!!

[@shreyasramnath7450]

What the hell

[@drmelts18]

Hi i am casting jewellery wondering what is the best way to finish it after as my castings come out needing work to give that high shine finish.

[@renking9275]

Andrew, is your curved ring file Cut 2 ? I would like to get one and wasn’t sure which is the best cut. Cookson Gold said Cut 2 is the most commonly used one. Thank you, love your videos!

[@joshdennis5300]

Hi Renee King, Im new to this but want to give it a go. Did you ever find out what cut file is best for removing excess solder from a ring like Andrew is doing in the video. Also would you have any idea of the size or length of the file he is using? Any help or advice would be great and very appreciated, thanks in advance.

[@lydiadarling7138]

I just started soldering and this was so helpful! My husband is of the school of thought that you should use 75 different grains of sand paper for any project. I, however, am not. Haha thanks for the tips!

[@cathmaguire7887]

Great videos. U have a sight Welsh accent s. Wales??

[@user-ox7kz5gl7f]

Thank yuo

[@matthewspong8070]

Do you do any gold tutorials

[@AnnaHitchcock58]

I did notice it. I am a Jeweler. Just love listening to others that do same work. I will be working on coin rings soon. Buying some dies. expensive! just was given some pieces of steel beams for metal work. Good deal (free)!

[@1827handmade]

Hi there, bless you for all these videos, may I ask what kind of half round file you are using in this video?

[@Atthebench]

It’s a number 2 cut

[@1827handmade]

@@Atthebench Thanks!!

[@martincarlberg9671]

1:45 - agree 100% never done that and dont understand why, I use 300 and 400 still thinking why buy both, as long I get my end result perfect, why bother? A 300 grit will soon be a 400 grit and soon enogh it will be a well made 1000 grit. At least with what I work with?

[@martincarlberg9671]

6:18 - Did that before, to rouged, I use a special tool with my micromotor now, so much faster and better result, I can send you a message about my tool if you what to. Love your videos, make more people join our work!👍

[@momentoftruth7594]

I've been watching your videos and i think i'm interested in getting into jewelry making, i really like the idea of using molds, but it's all very intimidating on where to get started since i can't invest too much money into it yet, any suggestions?

[@momentoftruth7594]

i do though have enough junk silver laying around to make a lot of silver jewelry if i was any good at it and had the proper tools

[@Lilione111]

You have loads of great tips, but I don't like holding the ring mandrel that way. There's not enough resistance & moves around too much. I think it's inefficient & don't feel I have as much control. I will always put the mandrel in a vice. We all have our way & that's just my thing.

[@nicolelitschauer5767]

7:57 thank u for the belly 😂 laughs

[@martincarlberg9671]

One more, you seem beeing around for awile, when they forbidden kadmium in the solder I belive it be pores in the solderlines, how do deal with that, in gold?

[@cyruskywalker9]

what number cut is the one file used?

[@charlieaponte2658]

Do you use soft, hard, medium solder for rings

[@dapperdan1017]

He said hard solder for begginers and then work your way down.

[@Xanderfied]

I'm confused, at what point does the ring need to be in the fires of Mount Doom?

[@shruthikumar3107]

Hi Andrew I love ur videos, I have just decided to start my own artificial jewelry making shop, have bought soldering iron kit. And checking out to buy butane torch. Please tell me what else required to solder artificial jewelry and things to Clean and polish it after soldering. Am into making earrings and Neckpiece. Please assist

[@celinajones196]

Hi Andrew. I have a question about pickle. What can I use as pickle & what is the ratio of pickle & water in a baby bottle warmer?

[@celinajones196]

I read somewhere that Alum is the safest?

[@Atthebench]

Mix pickle granules into warm water until the water is saturated. ie. no more granules can be dissolved.

[@celinajones196]

@@Atthebench Ok thanks so much!!

[@celinajones196]

@@Atthebench I bought a small pkg of pickle casting flux, is that what I use?

[@eliteotaku]

how do you get the ring to get that round curved shape? i could only get my hands on silver thats completley flat on both sides

[@jesusflores3256]

Watch the first video. He tells says that you can buy the silver stick with a D form thats why is so round on the outside and flat on the inside. I hope this helps.

[@tammygurl64]

It's half-round wire. You can get it in gauges 0-24, with 0 being the largest, at Rio Grande: www.riogrande.com/product/sterling-silver-half-round-wire-dead-soft/100440gp You can buy wire that's half round or square for that matter half-round gives it a flat side + a domed side. That's how to achieve that style of ring. Andrew Berry has lots of excellent and informative tutorials. Cheers! 🙂

[@shirleymason7697]

At 12:28 are you doing a no-no moving that half-round file back and forth? Anyway thanks for good "keeping it simple" information. Really helps going forward.

[@jeanined9060]

Shirley, I've seen him say in other videos that filing back & forth is a no-no, but you'll often see pros filing & they are going back & forth. He says that he's not applying any pressure to the backward movement, only to the front ward movement. So tho it looks like he's filing both directions, he really isn't. Apparently many pros do this. It must save a little time, not actually lifting the file off the piece to move it backward. But boy! It must take great control to not actually put ANY pressure on that file moving it backward!

[@robertdinicola9225]

Really loves his buff sticks dont he?

[@Junoshelly]

No 'air filing', eh Andrew?

[@tashi_108]

@12:33 The moment you realize shit just got realll

[@jasonclements4607]

[@fatimastar4663]

omg too much work. there are no buffing machines?

[@infledermaus]

Haha! This is great funny video, Andrew! How about split mandrels and emery paper?

[@melissab4710]

Yeah it's hilarious. I laughed through the whole video. I showed all my friends who know nothing about jewelry and they thought he was a comedian. So funny. 👽👾

[@infledermaus]

I think I'm demented. Something is wrong with me. I keep seeing videos where people use brass. Not my favorite metal. I don't get why people don't use bronze. It's got so much more potential! It had an era named after it. There was no brass age! What's wrong with me? Bronze. Give me bronze! I have some jewelers bronze. Polished, it looks like a very warm gold.

[@leonardpearlman4017]

I got a laugh there... Ah, there's a lot of brass in the world, but you have to look for bronze a little more... I have very limited experience with silicon bronze and aluminum bronze, both are very tough and seem to stand corrosion well. I'm noticing a lot of videos about making jewelry out of copper lately. This seems like a great material for general practice, there's tons of it all around! Also from a more limited POV, there are times when you really WANT something made of copper! Not to wear, but for some technical use. Also you can go nuts with electroforming and chemical treatments. I'm getting interested in this, I guess if some specific copper piece seemed good enough to wear you could try to plate it, or have it plated, or do it over in silver. These are just some general thoughts I'm having lately as I set up a bench at home just for general work. Ah, bronze might be nice to solder with "easy flow", which has is common and strong, but has a yellow color... and of course any solder works on Cu, but most magically and specially Cu-Phos, which flows like water, and doesn't need flux. HM

[@kirkfarmer8277]

Close up sometimes

[@robertdinicola9225]

I have machinery that does it faster and better