Forging silver...

Christian

Christian

Joined
Oct 3, 1998
Messages
790

OK, not really knife related, but has anybody forged silver? I was at a jewelry store in the local mal and my wife saw this nice, plain silver heart necklace engraved with "How do I love Thee?" or some such sappy lovey stuff. (Women!)
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At $75.00, I'm thinking one of my old silver dollars could be transformed into something of a resemblance, thus making th spousal unit feel special. Not to mention she really loves it when I make things.(And when SWMBO is happy, I am very happy.)
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So, is forging the way to go, or should I "melt and cast"? If I forge, it would be good practice.
Also, if anyone knows of any online or book version tutorials for engraving (for beginners) by hand, that info would also begreatly appreciated.

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"If you think education is expensive, try ignorance."
-Derek Bok
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If you forge it make sure your hammer and anvil are mirror polished. If they are not, every nick, scar, bump and scratch will show up in the piece. This will cause you to do some stock removal to get it finished properly.
I don't know about you but I would not want to have sterling silver go to waste by being ground up or filed away. It is too expensive to go out in the dust pan.

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Phillip Jones
Jones Knives
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumList?u=126319&Auth=false
 
All you need to do is anneal the silver and you can hammer it into a lot of shapes.Heat it to a bright red and quench in water it will come out soft but with a lot of scale or oxides.Muratic acid diluted with water will clean this up.Caution always add acid to water when diluting
take care
TJ

[This message has been edited by TJ Smith (edited 09-02-2000).]
 
Wow, don't you guys remember the old half dollar rings??? My brother made one from an old silver half dollar and he just kept smackin the edge with a spoon to flatten it out. Then drill a 1/4" hole in it and put a steel rod through the hole and smack the inside, you'll end up with a smooth inside as well as outside.

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Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!
http://www.nebsnow.com/L6steel
Buzzards gotta eat, same as worms!!!
 
Michael, I was going to bring the silver ring and spoon trick up. When I was a kid, we saved up and got a nickel to do it with.
My uncle had one of those rings from the Philipines.

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Sola Fide
 
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