Judy Larson's Mixed Metal Sampler Bracelet 7 - Steampunk Space Oddity, Metalwork. Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder. Here's another design possibility for your Mixed Metal Sampler Bracelet.

Mixed Metal Sampler Bracelet 7 - Steampunk Space Oddity

by Judy Larson
  • Category: Metalwork
  • Technique(s): Dapping, Butane Torch Techniques
  • Skill Level: Intermediate
Here's another design possibility for your Mixed Metal Sampler Bracelet.

Materials

24 Gauge 0.020 Dead Soft Copper Sheet Metal - 6x12 Inch
MET-705.24M
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $11.34
  • Gold Club Price: $8.51
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24 Gauge 0.020 Dead Soft Copper Sheet Metal - 6x6 Inch
MET-705.24
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $9.42
  • Gold Club Price: $7.07
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Tools

1 1/2 Inch Steel Dapping Block
G17-3
  • G17-3
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $16.57
  • Gold Club Price: $12.43
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12 Piece Dapping Punch Set 3.6mm to 14mm
G17-4
  • G17-4
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $12.97
  • Gold Club Price: $9.73
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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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Instructions
Step 1
Read through the directions before beginning. And be sure to save all the metal scraps, no matter how tiny, for another project

The template gives the approximate size of the discs that are domed and used in this project. This project used a number of the 3/8" discs cut from the center of the washers cut for the "O" ring toggle or from the washers used for this bracelet.
Judy Larson's Mixed Metal Sampler Bracelet 7 - Steampunk Space Oddity - , Metalwork, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Mixed Metal Sampler Bracelet 7
Step 2
Quite a few small discs, flattened, from cutting holes inside the corner jump rings of the bracelet links will be used in the construction of this bracelet. Make sure they are ready.
Judy Larson's Mixed Metal Sampler Bracelet 7 - Steampunk Space Oddity - , Metalwork, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Mixed Metal Sampler Bracelet 7
Judy Larson's Mixed Metal Sampler Bracelet 7 - Steampunk Space Oddity - , Metalwork, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Mixed Metal Sampler Bracelet 7
Step 3
There are six 5/8" copper washers with a 3/8" center hole cut from 24- or 26-gauge sheet used in this bracelet. Refer to Mixed Metal Sampler Bracelet 2 for directions on cutting the washers.
Step 4
Throughout the tutorial, flatten all the pieces after cutting and refining the edges.
Judy Larson's Mixed Metal Sampler Bracelet 7 - Steampunk Space Oddity - , Metalwork, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Mixed Metal Sampler Bracelet 7
Step 5
Place copper paste solder dots on the toggle washer at N, S, E, and W points. Tap a small copper disc into each solder dot. Place a dot of paste solder on the washer between the small copper discs. Press a small copper disc into the solder at those points. Evenly space 5 dots of copper paste solder across the top of a ¼" x 1" 20 or 22 gauge T-bar strip. Press a small copper disc into each solder dot. Refer to Mixed Metal Sampler Bracelet 3 for directions for finishing the T-bar.
Judy Larson's Mixed Metal Sampler Bracelet 7 - Steampunk Space Oddity - , Metalwork, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Mixed Metal Sampler Bracelet 7
Step 6
Two 3/8" copper, two brass, and one silver or nickel silver discs need to be domed to fit inside the cut hole in the washer. My discs were domed to fit a well that my #12 dap fit. Pass the domed disc across 400 grit sandpaper on a bench block several times to create a somewhat flat bottom edge. Under normal circumstances, there would be a worry that the expanding air inside the disc could "blow the disc off the link" during soldering. However, the link is textured and not perfectly flat, so this is not going to be a problem as air can escape where the pieces do not fit together perfectly.
Judy Larson's Mixed Metal Sampler Bracelet 7 - Steampunk Space Oddity - , Metalwork, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Mixed Metal Sampler Bracelet 7
Judy Larson's Mixed Metal Sampler Bracelet 7 - Steampunk Space Oddity - , Metalwork, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Mixed Metal Sampler Bracelet 7
Step 7
Refer to the template in Step 1 to cut and dome the smaller copper, brass and silver or nickel silver discs used on the links. Hint: Lay out the links and the parts used for each link to make sure everything needed to construct each link has been cut and is ready to be used.
Judy Larson's Mixed Metal Sampler Bracelet 7 - Steampunk Space Oddity - , Metalwork, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Mixed Metal Sampler Bracelet 7
Step 8
Butter the back of each washer with copper paste solder. Place each solder side down on a 1" link as shown in the photo in the next step. Only one washer is centered.
Judy Larson's Mixed Metal Sampler Bracelet 7 - Steampunk Space Oddity - , Metalwork, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Mixed Metal Sampler Bracelet 7
Step 9
Place dots of solder on each washer and attach the 1.8mm flattened copper discs in the same manner as for the "O" ring toggle.
Judy Larson's Mixed Metal Sampler Bracelet 7 - Steampunk Space Oddity - , Metalwork, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Mixed Metal Sampler Bracelet 7
Step 10
Place copper paste solder around the inside edge of the 3/8" silver or nickel silver domed disc. Press the domed disc solder side down in the washer centered on a link. The domed copper discs are attached in the same manner inside the washers on either side of the center silver or nickel silver link. The domed brass discs are attached inside the washers on the links on the outside of the domed copper discs.
Judy Larson's Mixed Metal Sampler Bracelet 7 - Steampunk Space Oddity - , Metalwork, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Mixed Metal Sampler Bracelet 7
Judy Larson's Mixed Metal Sampler Bracelet 7 - Steampunk Space Oddity - , Metalwork, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Mixed Metal Sampler Bracelet 7
Step 11
Attach the smaller domed discs in the same manner as the larger ones centered inside the washers. Add dots of paste solder to each link where desired and press 1.8mm copper discs into it.
Judy Larson's Mixed Metal Sampler Bracelet 7 - Steampunk Space Oddity - , Metalwork, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Mixed Metal Sampler Bracelet 7
Judy Larson's Mixed Metal Sampler Bracelet 7 - Steampunk Space Oddity - , Metalwork, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Mixed Metal Sampler Bracelet 7
Judy Larson's Mixed Metal Sampler Bracelet 7 - Steampunk Space Oddity - , Metalwork, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Mixed Metal Sampler Bracelet 7
Step 12
Place each piece onto a raised soldering surface. Heat each piece separately until you see the solder flow. Immediately remove the heat and go on to the next piece until all are soldered.
Step 13
Place the links in a pickle pot with super pickle until the fire scale is removed. Rinse the pieces. Some people like to place the pieces in baking soda water to neutralize the pickle and then rinse them. Dry the pieces before going to the next step.
Step 14
A quick brush with a soft bristle brass or steel brush will make the links look even better. This is not necessary, but you can get an idea of how the pieces will look after they are tumbled.
Step 15
Trim off the corners of each link using a flush cutter. Use metal shears to trim away the excess metal at the top of the washer on the "O" ring toggle piece. File and refine each piece so there are no sharp edges that can scratch the skin or snag on clothing.
Judy Larson's Mixed Metal Sampler Bracelet 7 - Steampunk Space Oddity - , Metalwork, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, Mixed Metal Sampler Bracelet 7
Step 16
Place the links in the tumbler with shot, water and a drop of dish detergent. Tumble for several hours and they will come out bright and shiny.
Pro Tip: Hold off on doing any patina to the pieces until all the bracelets sections are done.