(no subject)

[afmetalsmith]

Today I have succeeded in getting 1 hinge knuckle onto the filigree locket. I did end up melting one of the delicate spirally ends of the filigree, so I went around and melted all the rest of them, too. It's not a bad look- it emphasizes the heart shapes.

The next pass will be to line that up with the back of the locket, and try to get the 2 other knuckles one, 1 on each side... without soldering anything together that ought not to be soldered together. I'll be able to protect the front part, though, which will (I hope!) keep the filigree from melting more AND make it less likely that solder will stick to it when I'm working on the back. Still, it's tricky stuff!

Comments

[themaskmaker.livejournal.com]

I sympathise with you on hinges. I use them in my work. It's not metal work, but many of the issues are the same.

I use tiny hinges to attach doors to masks and books. I always end up swearing and wishing I had three more hands to hold the pliers and clamps and glue.

[afmetalsmith.livejournal.com]

Argh! Damn hinges!

I did get the second knuckle on last night, and it's all ready to try for #3 when I get up my nerve. :) Then, since #2 is not on as tightly as I'd like- it's tacked but not flowed- I'll heat the back and flow the solder, and hope the damn knuckles don't move on me.

And then I get to do the catch! And the bail!! Joy!!!

And I can see from this that I REALLY need to do several of the things and get skilled at them. :P

But, yeah, hinges... I can see that gluing would ahve many of the same problems as soldering, in that things can easil;y get stuck that aren't supposed to. Thanks for the sympathy, and good luck with yours!

[themaskmaker.livejournal.com]

Thanks! :)