How to fuse Fine Silver

[@JanniGrahn]

Hi Sandra I really enjoy your videos - you explain things very clearly and easy to understand 👍🏼😄 Could you please make one where you show how to make the silver ready to fuse and ready to enamel or make Cloisonné? 🙏🏻😊 My silver don't look so bright and shiny after sawing and all that 😦 Thank you so much for sharing your experience and knowhow 💐😊

[@sandramcewen]

Hi Janni! I'll try to make a video soon- make sure you are using fine silver. To prepare it for fusing, sand it with some wet/dry sandpaper to clean and polish it. Good luck! :)

[@deborahhardeman8802]

Do you have a video on making bezels????

[@sandramcewen]

I will be doing a bezel tutorial soon on Vimeo. If you'd like to subscribe, here's the link: vimeo.com/ondemand/sandramcewen/ Thanks! :)

[@64t120r]

Am I correct that you use the Smith's Silversmith Acetylene/air torch? I've been using smaller torches for rings and such, but I keep melting them. Torches shouldn't melt, but then again, I don't think they were designed with me in mind. My regular torch, for some of my other work, can cut through a 3" piece of steel. It's a wee bit bigger.

[@sandramcewen]

Yes- I do like the acetylene and air torch. It's so easy to control the flame... :)

[@lisajarvis3820]

What is name of that torch and tips ~ and what is used with it to work it (gas tank? etc)

[@sandramcewen]

I use an acetylene torch. www.riogrande.com/product/smith-silver-smith-acetylene-and-air-torch-kit-with-tank/500109nw

[@deborahhardeman8802]

I have been having trouble getting bezel wire flat on sheet any seggustions

[@sandramcewen]

Hi Deborah! I'm not using bezel wire here- I'm cutting out the top from 20 gauge fine silver sheet.

[@MichaelLeeOne]

Is that an oxyacetylene torch or just acetylene?

[@sandramcewen]

Just acetylene :)

[@ingridsaab5413]

Is the copper solution the same as liquid flux for copper?

[@sandramcewen]

Hi Ingrid. It is not the same thing. You can purchase the fusing liquid on Etsy: www.etsy.com/listing/550509336/bluefuse?ref=shop_home_active_1&frs=1 Good Luck! :)

[@kathleenmathers3413]

Thank you so much for your videos, Sandra. I am in so interested in this enameling now that I've seen your videos. I would love to see how you solder with the Eutectic solder since I have only used traditional hard, med, easy. Is there a particular brand you use. Thank you, again, for sharing.

[@sandramcewen]

I get my eutictic solder from Enamelwork Supply: www.enamelworksupply.com/supplies.html It's actually easier to use than hard solder, but you'll want to use a flux that's suitable for hard soldering. (not that gross white paste flux!) I'll see if I can make a video about it soon. Good luck! :)

[@KatiDebelic]

Thank you so much for sharing your process, it is very helpful. One question for you regarding your copper solution/Klearfire. Do you use it to prevent your pieces from moving and can you fuse without that solution? Thank you!

[@sandramcewen]

Hi Kati, The copper solution helps with fusing by lowering the melting temp (copper has a lower melting temperature than silver) between the two sheets of silver, and the Klyr Fire acts as a temporary glue to hold everything in place until it can be fused. You don't need to use a fusing solution to fuse fine silver, but it helps the process along... :)

[@KatiDebelic]

Sandra McEwen thank you so much! Great to know!

[@desdeelaire9136]

So you use fine silver? i work with 925 and is hard because get dark and rusty

[@annieharris1728]

Are you using fine silver? Secondly what is the fusing solution made from or how can I get some.

[@dobromiryanakiev5240]

Sandra, what probe is the silver , .999 ? Isn't it too soft ? Do you think .950 or .975 will be also good for enamels?

[@sandramcewen]

Hi Dobromir- I use 20 guage fine silver (.999) for most everything, and it's plenty strong. The exception would be items that get a lot of wear and tear, like rings or bracelets. It would be difficult to fuse sterling sliver, but I've heard that argentium sterling is easy to fuse. Good Luck! :)

[@dobromiryanakiev5240]

Thank you , you are amazing !!!

[@Beachnative42]

I'm no jewelery maker at all but whatis this fuss about Argentium? OK it doesn't tarnish, I get it but it looks liek a pain to work with such as cooling it in water and having it shatter. What is your take on it?

[@flyingcheff]

Fusing liquid? Is that flux?

[@sandramcewen]

It's a copper solution that makes fusing easier. If you are interested in more in-depth videos, check out my Vimeo page- vimeo.com/ondemand/sandramcewen/ Good luck! :)

[@deborahhardeman8802]

I can't find how to make copper solution, could you give me how to😳😳😳

[@sandramcewen]

Hi Deborah! I have a video about it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lYquq5Z3npx4bJY If you are interested in more in depth tutorials, you should check out my Vimeo on Demand page: vimeo.com/ondemand/sandramcewen/

[@Firedance43]

Super helpful!

[@ildikolieber825]

Dear Sandra, Thank you for your great videos, I hope you make more in the future :) I have a question you may can answer. I'm enamelling fine silver as a hobby and I'm a beginner. I use Thompson enamel. For the transparent foundation, I use 2020. Based on the information I found on the internet this is a clear transparent enamel but I always get cloudy yellowish results. I can't really figure out what the problem could be, I fire it around 760 celsius (1400 F) for around a minute after it reaches this temperature again. I also tried higher temperature but still the same. If you could give me some hints I would be really grateful. Thank you!

[@sandramcewen]

Clear enamels can be temperamental, especially the unleaded ones. I usually try not to use any clear enamels of any sort as undercoats if I can get away with it- if the piece is mostly blues, I'll use the palest blue enamel as an undercoat. It's harder with the unleaded colors, because there are less color options to choose from and no super light colors. To get the best results from the clears when you can't avoid using them would be to not over-fire them and go with very thin layers... Good luck!

[@billdlyaegra9394]

avoid that torch pop and turn the oxy off first.

[@sandramcewen]

Hi Bill! It's an acetylene/air torch, so there's no oxy tank. I asked my friend Betty, who is a master jeweler, and she says I'm probably turning it off too fast. So I'll try that next time I'm fusing and see if I get less popping. :)