Judy Larson's Branching Out, Metalwork. Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder. Creating rugged, organic elements with bark-like texture uses up some of your scrap.

Branching Out

by Judy Larson
  • Category: Metalwork
  • Technique(s): Butane Torch Techniques
  • Skill Level: Intermediate
Creating rugged, organic elements with bark-like texture uses up some of your scrap. It is so satisfying to recycle and create usable one-of-a-kind pieces to design around.

Materials

24 Gauge Dead Soft Argentium Silver Sheet - 6 Inches
H19-24SM6
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1 Inch
  • Price: $38.02
  • Gold Club Price: $28.51
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Tools

Basic Soldering Kit
G15-4
  • G15-4
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $58.95
  • Gold Club Price: $44.21
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Solderite Soldering Board 6 Inch by 12 Inch Soft
SOL-421.20
  • SOL-421.20
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $21.95
  • Gold Club Price: $16.46
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Thumlers Tumbler Model AR-2 Rock Tumbler
G34-114
  • G34-114
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $286.22
  • Gold Club Price: $214.67
Out of Stock
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Instructions
Step 1
Read through the tutorial before starting the project. Follow all safety precautions for the space you are working in as well as all safety precautions pertaining to the tools and supplies you will be using to complete the project.

You can use organic elements in your designs, such as tree branches, by making silicone molds of small branches and replicating them in polymer clay or metal clay.

Why not make one-of-a-kind branches using Argentium scrap sheet metal and wire bits from other projects. The pieces made here and shown in Step 9 did not make a dent in my scrap boxes, which are sold to hold trading cards.
Judy Larson's Branching Out - , Metalwork, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, silicone mold
Judy Larson's Branching Out - , Metalwork, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, argentium scrap
Step 2
Use a Sharpie marker to draw a shape on a Solderite board. Longer pieces are a bit harder to work with when first making this type of branch so try to keep the length under 3" (76mm)
Judy Larson's Branching Out - , Metalwork, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, branch pattern
Step 3
Cut enough scrap pieces to make a single layer to cover the line shape. Make sure the pieces overlap a bit-first photo. Using a torch head on a butane canister, heat the pieces until they fuse together. Be careful to not overheat the pieces, causing them to shrink and ball up.
Judy Larson's Branching Out - , Metalwork, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, stacking scrap
Judy Larson's Branching Out - , Metalwork, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, stacking scrap argentium
Step 4
Add another layer of scrap over the first, making the piece a bit wider. Heat in the same manner as above until the pieces fuse.
Judy Larson's Branching Out - , Metalwork, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, heat the scrap argentium with a torch
Step 5
Continue adding scrap layers, fusing between each addition, until the piece is about 1/8" (a bit over 3mm) thick. While fusing the pieces, use a solder pick to press the layers together as well as press the sides down to connect to the lower layers.
Judy Larson's Branching Out - , Metalwork, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, add another layer of argentium scrap
Judy Larson's Branching Out - , Metalwork, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, heat with a torch
Step 6
Add another layer of scrap. Here is where the fun begins. Heat across the entire piece until the metal glows red. Keep heating until it becomes molten, but not so molten that the metal starts to shrink.

This process takes a bit of practice, but don't worry. If the piece becomes so molten it starts to shrink, just draw/pull the metal back out by pulling it with the tip of the solder pick.

The top layers will be more molten than the lower ones making it easy to drag a solder pick along the length of the piece creating a bark-like texture.

The piece will have a smoother texture if the solder pick is dragged through molten silver-second photo. The surface will be more rugged if the solder pick is pulled through the metal when it is starting to cool slightly - third photo.
Judy Larson's Branching Out - , Metalwork, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, heat the scrap until it fuses
Judy Larson's Branching Out - , Metalwork, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, molten argentium
Judy Larson's Branching Out - , Metalwork, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, branch from scrap argentium
Step 7
Changes can be made along the way. In the case of this cross, length and a branch were added to the bottom section. The key is using a solder pick to drag molten silver from one piece to the other to connect the two.

The added pieces will become molten before the thicker, finished piece. Try to use as many scrap layers as possible on the added section when trying to connect it to a finished section.

Have extra layers ready to layer over the added piece and the finished section to connect the two more fully.
Judy Larson's Branching Out - , Metalwork, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, adding to scrap branch
Step 8
Some of the scraps used may have excess solder on them. Because of this, there may be fire scale on the piece just created that should be removed. Pickle the piece to remove the fire scale. Neutralize the piece in baking soda water. Rinse and dry it before continuing.
Step 9
If the bark texture is too rough, a coarse silicone square edge polisher wheel easily knocks down unwanted surface texture. Files and sanding pads will accomplish the same task, just take a bit longer.
Judy Larson's Branching Out - , Metalwork, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, finishing with a dremel tool
Step 10
Tumble the pieces for several hours to help smooth out the surface a bit, as well as bring up a nice shine.
Judy Larson's Branching Out - , Metalwork, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, tumbled scrap argentium branches
Step 11
Design around your new pieces! The first finished piece is by Kathi Nelson. The second piece was named "The Old Rugged Cross" by Carol Erickson. Heavy gauge wire instead of scrap was used to make the vine in the third piece.

A solder pick was lightly dragged across and along the vine when it was slightly molten to create a bit of texture and visual interest.
Judy Larson's Branching Out - , Metalwork, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, scrap argentium branches
Judy Larson's Branching Out - , Metalwork, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, scrap argentium branches
Judy Larson's Branching Out - , Metalwork, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, scrap argentium branches