Sterling Turquoise Split Shank Ring

[@hosannaliving]

I never thought of casting the shank. Came out pretty nice! Thanks for a good video 😊 lots of good ‘ole innovation.

[@olslimpickins]

Thanks! And thanks for watching!!

[@BarryBartlett-nq8st]

I really appreciate your getting the gauge number for me and thank you so much for your prompt response.

[@larrymoremckenzie3029]

I like your soldering screen trick! Good one!

[@olslimpickins]

It's since been changed, I screwed it to a bit of wood and now gets held like a bench peg.

[@lisacassella955]

I enjoyed watching this video! Thank you for making it & I am going to attempt to make a split shank ring now!

[@olslimpickins]

Thanks! & thanks for watching, hope there's some helpful information gained from this!

[@miak6859]

Wow!! you really have some amazing talents young man! That is just really Beautiful from start to finish Thank you for sharing.

[@olslimpickins]

Thanks!!!

[@miak6859]

@@olslimpickins you are very welcome..Slim you never cease to amaze me.

[@LARRYGONZALES2019]

Yes I too see how you make the bezels

[@Cal_Mex.]

Good job Man. Saludos from puerto vallarta jalisco México

[@olslimpickins]

Thanks!!!

[@erizabesu87]

As a beginner I find your videos very useful 👍🎯💯👏👏👏

[@olslimpickins]

I truly appreciate that, I'm just starting out myself, I have the passion, but not the knowledge, in time! I will keep trying to explain as I go, I don't give exact measurements because I don't really do any, my focus currently is to understand my tools, how they can be used and how things should & can be constructed.

[@CherylAnn2222]

pretty!

[@olslimpickins]

Thanks!!! I'm happy with how it came out on this practice ring.

[@erizabesu87]

I will try to make it myself. Thanks a lot 😌

[@olslimpickins]

[@peggylcahill]

Nice video, thanks for sharing. What size rod did you use for the ingot?

[@olslimpickins]

Thank you!! & thanks for watching!! The rod I used for that comes up to a 7 gauge, hopefully this helps.

[@hivemindmvgc]

Where did you get that ingot mold?

[@olslimpickins]

Its a durston multi shape ingot mold off Rio grande.

[@LindaBartlett-p4o]

Love your video. I buy my silver wire, I don't make it, yet, so given that what gauge 1/2 round sterling silver wire do you use for the split shank? Thank you!

[@olslimpickins]

Thanks for watching!! I've used a few different sizes can get exact gauge, once home. Been so long since I made a ring, been making more pendants lately

[@deborahhardeman8802]

I always use heavier gauge for my settings also. I purchased the Castellated Bezel wire. But I can purchase heavier gauge wire and make it myself if you could give me some tips. What gauge do you prefer to use

[@olslimpickins]

Right around 20 gauge bezel for this piece! Still practicing, but have used between 16-22 gauge on the bezels, depending size of cabochon, I don't much care for small and thin stuff. Keep in mind this is just my hack job practice piece, made with whatever I find, no rolling mill so I casted a round bar and hand hammered that bezel strip, I will hammer out till I get the gauge or two above what I want, then then file it out to the gauge I want ( after bends around stone & soldering ), sometimes I've had bad hammering and comes out higher in the middle of bar then thinner on edges, so far hasn't bugged me cause I'll bevel the top anyway, using thicker side as bottom of bezel when soldering to base plate. Hope this helps! Thanks for watching!

[@hivemindmvgc]

Wait - what's that sand stuff you put in the bezel before putting in the stone?

[@olslimpickins]

It's sawdust, I'd normally use walnut shell but haven't ordered more.

[@hivemindmvgc]

@@olslimpickins Why though? I've never seen anyone do that - I normally slap a dab of epoxy there as insurance.

[@olslimpickins]

@@hivemindmvgc it's for cushion and bringing up the stone a little more

[@hivemindmvgc]

@@olslimpickins Gotcha man, thanks!

[@olslimpickins]

@@hivemindmvgc Thanks for watching! I'm no professional but have no issues giving out what information I've learned "never stop learning , never stop asking questions"

[@christiancerny5564]

Keep up the great work mate and yes please make a bezel video.Take care fromOz

[@olslimpickins]

Thank you much!! I appreciate that!! I'm no professional but I enjoy the craft and learning. I might make a video or two on bezels someday.

[@0909-i9e]

How do you polish/clean up the interior of the shank once its attached?

[@olslimpickins]

I have a box of mandrels with a screw in the top to attach small buffing wheels, they go into the Chuck of my flex shaft ( foredom ).

[@michaelbias3451]

I was just wondering why you don't tell us how much your stuff is worth and how much you would actually sell your peace for when it's all done

[@olslimpickins]

I'm honestly having a hard time figuring out prices, I'm more so doing practice work and perfection of craft currently, I'm no professional, I've only started trying to create in the passed two-ish years, spent 5 years slowly collecting the tools, now I can create, everything I've made and posted here I haven't sold yet, I keep asking my other jeweler friends what they would sell it for to give myself an idea for price ranges and charge rates.

[@deborahhardeman8802]

Would love to see how you made the bezel? I buy mine when i can

[@olslimpickins]

@@deborahhardeman8802 I could do that! It honestly depends cause that bezel is thicker than usual for usage on most jewelry, I like to create a hefty piece! Thanks for watching!!

[@michaelbias3451]

@Slim Pickins Silver! I was just wandering ..I'm 66 years old and going to collage for silversmithing and just trying to learn the hole pricing thing..good work buy the way

[@olslimpickins]

@@michaelbias3451 thanks! I have yet to go to any schooling myself, I want to eventually go to the school close to me and see what's there.