16. How To Weld Permanent Bracelet with Fine Curb Chain - Free Permanent Jewelry Training

Welding fine link chains is tricky, but easy if you can master this one step!
In this video, I show you how to weld a permanent bracelet (forever bracelet) using a 1mm thin curb chain and the Orion Micro Welder mPulse. The links of the chain I use can only fit 26 gauge wire (0.4mm).
Full disclosure:
Note on Micro Welder I have used in this video:
Orion Micro Welder mPulse 30 is made by Sunstone Engineering, in the USA. Stones And Findings is a premier licensed distributor for Orion Micro Welders.
You can purchase it here 👉 bit.ly/orion-m...
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🌎 If you are located elsewhere, you can email me and I'll find the licensed reseller in your country.
About us: Stones And Findings is a wholesaler of premium jewellery components. We supply many stores that weld permanent bracelets. Our chains and components are high quality and well made (all 925 silver chains are made in Italy and gold filled chains are American).
You can shop our extensive collection online at wholesale prices by first creating an account (you do not need a business license). You will get instant access to prices and shopping cart at the bottom of this page:stonesandfindi...
The chain is fine, and it is harder to weld than the swage beading chain because the links drape and are airy. However, if you can learn to ball the chain ends, then everything is very easy. Put the welder on 7.5w power (you may wish to adjust this power depending on your comfort level and the thickness of your chain). Touch the welder on the end of the chain, collapsing the link and causing a small ball of metal. You may have to do this more than once. This will give it more volume.
Then put the two ends of the chain together to weld, just as you would the ends of a jump ring. Both sides must touch.
The result is the shape of a bead - the two balls melt together to form a tiny bead. You can leave it as it is, or you can press down with pliers. Also, sometimes, if your hand or the chain shifts, it may not be completely straight (forms a V-shape). You simply use a pair of pliers to tap together gently, as you roll the chain around. As a result, the shain will straighten and the bead of silver will flatten out to be similar to the shape of the chain.
The chain I used in the video is 1mm wide 925 silver, made in Italy (online product code Ci13S) $6.89/m ($2.10/ft) at the time of posting.

[@underwaterlovelies]

Thank god for this video. I spent over 600 on fine thin beautiful 14k chains and thought I wasn't able to use it.

[@stonesandfindings]

Glad I could help!! Also, have you tried using 26 ga or 28ga jump rings or wire?

[@ammopig]

Your Micro Welder videos are great! The weld you made here could be a decorative feature!

[@stonesandfindings]

Cool idea! I like that

[@whospml]

hi! where can I find the clip you used to secure one side? I find myself having an issue connecting both sides on a persons wrist and feel like this would be beneficial in the smaller link chains

[@stonesandfindings]

Most goldsmithing or silversmithing tool supply stores have it. You can search "third arm jewelry clip" or "third hand clip for soldering"

[@arelgr9407]

hi, this orion micro welder can be optionally retrofitted microscope with darkening function ?

[@stonesandfindings]

yes - I replied in another section, but will repeat here in case someone only views this: The screen can be upgraded to the microscope or an ADL screen - wider screen and 5x magnification (both are just connection plug-ins, like the original small screen that comes standard with the machine)

[@lindsaybowerman5650]

I am trying this right now and the ends won’t connect. I have balled both sides but even trying a very low setting and even as high as 20, it’s still not staying connected. I did get it to connect once but then it pulled apart. Do you know what’s happening?

[@lindsaybowerman5650]

It’s also changing the color of the end where I’m balling and it won’t clean off?

[@stonesandfindings]

If you're able to ball both ends, perhaps the balls are not touching enough. At 20w, it can even melt them, so if they're not fusing together, they must not be touching enough. Try flattening the tips of the ball, and make sure they are fully touching.

[@stonesandfindings]

changing colour - fire scale is normal and if it is sterling or solid gold, it should clean off with eraser or fibreglass brush. If it is basemetal, gold filled or plated, you will get some of the brass exposed and it is harder to clean.

[@Friction-Jewelry]

Hi, I can do this at my bench, when it comes to clients it’s a lot more challenging. When the chain is tight, the third hand wants to pull away. Also when just a bit of chain is exposed on each side (the balls) there is so little room to weld in between the tweezers and grounding clip. Need more tips and more practice !

[@andreainks1430]

Hi did you say what wattage when you connected the two balls? Thank you!

[@stonesandfindings]

I don't remember if I did, but you should test 7w. That should do it. If your chain is super fine and that is too strong, you should try 5w. Or try 5w first and then move to 7w if you're not getting the right size ball you want.

[@jkbecker19]

Hello! Great video!!! Could you link to the clip/stand/chain holder you used?

[@stonesandfindings]

Sorry, the supplier no longer carries that one and don't know when another shipment might be. You can search online for "Third arm clip on stand". Meanwhile, I will reach out to another supplier to see if they can bring it in.

[@morganfultz16]

Thank you so much!!! Where is your stand with a Clíp from?

[@stonesandfindings]

I bought that from a silversmithing supply store eons ago. You can try PePeTools.com. THe proper name for it is third hand (or helping hand for soldering), sometimes called third arm.

[@miriamzucker9901]

The orion is very expensive, is there a less expensive, good quality micro welder you would recommend for personal use?

[@stonesandfindings]

The Orion is not cheap - it is made in USA, by Sunstone Engineering. It is very reliable and sturdy, and more importantly, back by great warranty and a reliable company that is insured. I've seen lower price point, multi-purpose welders from Alibaba and reviews are that they produce a lot of spark and some complain of feeling a bit of electrical current (tingling). I've not tried them, so I can't give an unbiased opinion. If you are using it for personal use and not with a client, then I don't see why those would not work. It is only when you are using with a client that you need to be more careful for safety and liability reasons.

[@jasonmcnamara7127]

Hi very informative video! Question though so my wife does this (just started) and she has a chain that I would say is fine and thin. It seems like every time she try’s to make a weld the links just Explode do you have any thoughts on why that would happen. She even tried it at the lowest setting.

[@stonesandfindings]

If this is happening even at the lowest setting, and the electrode is clean of soot build up (which can create a spark and fire that might resemble an explosion), then your electrode might benefit from being a bit more dulled. I think this happens because when it is very sharp, the electricity is coming from a concentrated point. I find that when the tip is dulled (by grinding it down), the spark is much softer. Perhaps I will do a video to show the difference. I keep one electrode that is not as sharp and switch between jobs.

[@jasonmcnamara7127]

We will try that out tonight and see if that works. Thanks for the info

[@mrsmorgansinclair]

What millimeter curb chain is that?? I love the size!

[@stonesandfindings]

It is 2mm curb chain. It is very nice and comfortable to wear.

[@12mygirls]

Have you ever tried to use grounded pliers instead of alligator clip?

[@stonesandfindings]

no, I don't know that they exist.

[@barlibernedoodle292]

no

[@stonesandfindings]

yes, it is possible.