Solder Gap Free Bezels

Recommended Tools & Supplies:
Safety Glasses;
Half Round File (2 Cut);
Pliers Set; and,
Stainless Steel Binding Wire (24 ga)
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In this video, Professor John Ahr of the Online Jewelry Academy provides viewers with a quick tip that quickly shows how to avoid gaps at the base of a bezel when soldering it to a surface.
The technique in this video involves the use of binding wire. Whenever working with wire it is important to wear proper eye protection. Remember to be sure to take every necessary precaution to protect your health and safety.
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[@DonnakinsJewelry]

I always enjoy your tutorials because you are so easy to understand and your topics are relative to what I want and need to learn. Thank you!

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

I'm so glad to hear that you enjoy the OJA's videos Dee. I'm glad that we can help you to develop your craft. Thanks for your support! : )

[@johnsondylan7515]

OMG, thank you. I am not a novice by any means, but I could not figure how people were using binding wire. It would always slip all over the place and I could never get it to work. So simple but I just didn't get it! Thank you!!!

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

I'm so glad that this quick tip video helped you to make better use of your binding wire. Thank you for letting me know. Be sure to check out the OJA video on how to make a hollow bead to see how I use binding wire to wire together a hollow form. Thanks for your support! : )

[@lindanash9042]

Heat from the bottom, the solder will suck any gaps down to backplate per an instructor I had, and I haven't had a problem since. Reheating from bottom fixed the gap on the piece with the instructors help...works for me(not disagreeing with this method, never tried).

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

Hi Linda, The OJA has a bezel soldering video that follows the advise that you gave. The binding wire is very helpful to add to the mix if you're do an especially large bezel. Thanks for your support! : )

[@lindanash9042]

OnlineJewelryAcademy thank you, I will keep that in mind, different situations call for different strategies.

[@TheTinaHarchysen]

You're the best John!

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

Thanks! Glad you're enjoying the videos. Keep watching. Thanks for your support! : )

[@winksartistt3817]

Excellent advice, thanks

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

Glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for your support! : )

[@geofflotton5292]

As a beginner, I would appreciate some tips on choosing the gauge and material of metals for different tasks.

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

Hi Geoff, Bezel wire is always 28 gauge (fine silver). You can create a backing plate for a bezel from 22 gauge sheet metal (or thicker). I recommend that you invest in a good bench manual that you can quickly refer to. There are many on the market. Visit the library and find one that you like and then buy it. You'll knowledge of materials will quickly expand as you do more work and experimentation. Also, many of the OJA's videos include information about the materials involved. Good luck with pursuing your craft. Thanks for your support! : )

[@shirleymason7697]

Good tip. Thank you.

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

Glad you liked the video. Thanks for your support! : )

[@leroyneal6757]

What type of wire are you using?thanks for all you do

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

I used bezel wire to create the bezel cup. Bezel wire is 28 gauge fine (.999) silver wire. It comes in a variety of widths. And, there is a fancy kind called gallery wire. The OJA has a video on gallery bezel wire. You can find it in the OJA playlist. The entire playlist is on the OJA website at: www.onlinejewelryacademy.com Thanks for your support! : )

[@lynettemckone918]

This is a good idea, and having spent the best part of the afternoon making bezel cups I should have re-watched this tutorial! My question is this: is there a limit to the size of a bezel cup? I have a very pretty piece of hand painted porcelain, about 5mm x 25mm, which I salvaged from an old teaspoon. I want to mount it in a silver bezel attached to a slightly larger silver back. I've tried, and failed, 5 times today. I managed 4 out of 5 smaller cups ok but just could not work the larger one. Help? Regards, Lynette. Ps, What type of wire are you using please?

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

Hi Lynette, I'll bet the failure you're experiencing is that the bezel wire and the backing for your larger item are pulling away from each other. You can remedy this situation by securing the bezel on the backing plate with binding wire during the soldering operation. Just be sure to remove the binding wire before you put your successfully soldered item in your pickle pot. All bezel wire for silver jewelry is made from fine silver (.999). The height of the bezel wire may vary. And the profile could include a step or a decorative element. But, the actual wire that holds the stone is 28 gauge fine silver wire. Good luck completing your bezel. Thanks for your support! : )

[@lynettemckone918]

John you are my inspiration, so much so that I decided to become a patron. Sadly the Patreon page wouldn't load: I tried 5 times before giving up! I don't know if the problem was at my end or yours. I could set up a PayPal payment to you but don't get too excited: I'm not rich so it won't be a vast amount of patronage lol, I just want to give you some support in return for all the good advice.

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

Hi Lynette, Thank you so much for the compliment and the support. I'm not sure why the Patreon page wouldn't load for you. We've have several people sign up recently. So, I know it's working. Going through PayPal is great too. But, if you sign up through Patreon you can get the premiums. patreon.com/onlinejewelryacademy. If you click on the "Become A Patron" it takes you to a page where you can scroll down and choose your level of support. Once you choose your level, you just click the "Continue" button. That will take you to a sign-up page which looks like it requires a Facebook account, but it doesn't. If you fill out your name, email, make up a password and click that you agree to the terms and that you are not a robot, it will take you to the payment page where (on the right side of the page) you can elect to use Paypal or a Credit card. You just complete the information there and you are set. I hope this helps. Thanks for your support! : )

[@Marifletch]

Hi Professor Ahr. Thank you for the great and informative video. I do have a question, do you clean the backing plate before wiring? It seems as if you can't really use scotch brite to sand it downdown with the wires, so you can have a clean it first, yes?

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

Marifletch Great question. All parts of any soldering project must be cleaned before they are assembled. If you want to learn how to really clean your metal projects, watch the video on using powdered pumice. You’ll find it on our website at: onlinejewelryacademy.com. 🙂

[@Marifletch]

@@OnlineJewelryAcademy Thank you so much. You're the best. - Marilyn

[@samuellaramsey5824]

What type of metal is the binding wire and where can I purchase it? Thanks so much !

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

Hi Samuella, Binding wire is steel. You could probably find some blackened annealed steel wire that is 24 gauge at a local hardware store. Or, you could search for it online using the information I've provided. As always, the OJA doesn't provide free advertising for suppliers. Rather, we encourage our viewers to search for the best price. Good luck with your projects. Thanks for your support! : )

[@perrisalysse1507]

What is your suggested gauge of back plate?

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

I generally use 22 gauge sheet to back my bezels. Thanks for your support! : )

[@ingridye9509]

great advie

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

Glad you enjoyed the video Ingrid. Thanks for your support! : )