|
| Tips, Techniques, and Questions -- Technical questions or tips |
2013-04-08, 9:07am
|
 |
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Sep 14, 2011
Location: Gatineau, Québec, Canada
Posts: 222
|
|
Hard or Half Hard Sterling Silver?
Hi everyone,
I realize that there has been discussions in the past on this topic but my question is specific. I have been using plated silver wire to date but would like to upgrade to sterling silver wire for my jewelry. I am not sure if I should get hard or half hard wire. Below are examples of the type of bracelets and necklaces I make using wire (normally 18G). I also make my own jumprings (either 18 or 20G).
What is your advice?
 
Thanks!
Lyne
|
2013-04-08, 9:54am
|
 |
Wyoming Silvers
|
|
Join Date: Jan 31, 2007
Location: Cowboy State
Posts: 273
|
|
I woul use 1/2 hard or soft...it will work harden for you.
__________________
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Lovin my Lynx with M20
|
2013-04-08, 10:00am
|
 |
da General
|
|
Join Date: Oct 05, 2006
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 13,002
|
|
Hard is a bit difficult to work with - very springy. I agree that half hard or even soft is a better choice since metal does work harden.
__________________
Hayley
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
|
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
|
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
|
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
|
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
|
2013-04-08, 3:49pm
|
 |
offically down under
|
|
Join Date: Dec 22, 2005
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 3,131
|
|
I am, by no means, a silversmith, but the guys in the silver supply place explained that half hard has been annealed a bit making it easier to work with. They anneal it in a gas kiln which means it comes out shinny. Soft or dead soft has been annealed at a higher temp. and, like the name suggests, it is very soft. Both the half hard and soft become hard once you've worked it.
__________________
Tammy
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
|
2013-04-08, 4:30pm
|
|
Dix Harrison
|
|
Join Date: Mar 31, 2009
Location: KCKS - But my heart is in Scotland
Posts: 526
|
|
You want "dead soft"-- IMHO.
|
2013-04-08, 5:39pm
|
 |
Uh Oh....
|
|
Join Date: Dec 06, 2005
Posts: 1,039
|
|
I'd use half hard to make the jump rings, then tumble them to harden them after forming into jump rings. 20 gauge is thin for jump rings. The thinnest gauge I go is 18 gauge for non-soldered jump rings. Normally, I tumble (with stainless steel shot) a finished bracelet if I don't have any fine silver wire on my beads. If there is fine silver on the outside of glass beads, it either wears down or makes a tiny fracture in the glass.
__________________
Susan
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
|
2013-04-08, 8:22pm
|
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Sep 14, 2011
Location: Gatineau, Québec, Canada
Posts: 222
|
|
Thanks everyone for your responses.
Susan (mewkittie), you say that you tumble your finished bracelets. Do these bracelets have crystals and lampwork beads on them? Is do, don't they get etched in the tumbler? Please forgive the questions .. this is all new to me  )
Lyne
|
2013-04-08, 8:42pm
|
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Apr 07, 2012
Location: Oz
Posts: 195
|
|
Hi Lyne, tumbling with stainless shot doesn't etch, it just hardens the wire, makes it super shiny and knocks off any small burrs. I tumble finished pieces with crystal and glass no problem, avoid tumbling turquiose, amber, pearls, opals and any other soft or porious stones ...
|
2013-04-09, 4:44am
|
 |
Ezzy
|
|
Join Date: Sep 14, 2006
Posts: 2,020
|
|
And don't tumble lampwork beads that have unencased silver on them, you will tumble the silver off.
__________________
When you wish upon a falling star, your dreams can come true. Unless it's really a meteorite hurtling to the Earth which will destroy all life. Then you're pretty much hosed no matter what you wish for. Unless it's death by meteor.
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
All times are GMT -7. The time now is 2:30am.
|
