Learn sophisticated jewelry soldering techniques alongside custom jeweler Jim Dailing in this class from Craftsy and Rio Grande. Start by getting comfortable with wire-based constructions as Jim walks you through soldering earring posts, small wire elements and a structural cube. Move on to tackling connections for delicate findings with a lesson on soldering jump rings, T-bar clasps and pinbacks. Then turn up the heat as you see how to solder larger areas and seams while Jim demonstrates on a wide-band ring, a two-layer ring, and a scored and folded piece. Take your technique further as you build skills for connecting a smaller element to a large one that's already been soldered. Plus, Jim will teach you how to solder pieces that contain two different metals while minimizing cleanup and accounting for the metals' differing conductivities.
Soldering Success in Every Scenario
Tackle complex connections with soldering savvy. Learn how to account for your piece's materials, mass, heat sinks and beyond.
Overview
About
Jim Dailing creates custom jewelry and wax carvings at his studio in Bend, Oregon. He's been teaching jewelry arts, sculpture and metalsmithing since he earned his MFA from Tyler School of Art at Temple University in 1987. Along with teaching classes out of his home studio and for Rio Grande, Jim is an instructor at Central Oregon Community College.
01: Overview & Key Concepts
Meet your instructor, Jim Dailing, and explore how each lesson will give you skills for assessing different soldering scenarios, choosing a strategy and applying skills that will help you succeed. He'll also share some essential info for the setup considerations, materials and heating techniques that will come into play for every scenario.
13 min
02: Wire-Based Connections
Explore some basic jewelry-making scenarios where small pieces of wire need to be soldered. Watch as Jim demonstrates how to set up and solder earring posts, small wire elements and a three-dimensional cube.
19 min
03: Delicate Constructions
Build confidence soldering more delicate constructions such as findings without overheating your pieces. From jump rings to a T-bar clasp and a pinback, you'll see how to avoid mishaps with smarter soldering technique for these jewelry pieces.
13 min
04: Larger Areas & Seams
Turn up the heat as you move on to soldering larger areas and seams. You'll see how to successfully join a wide-band ring, a two-layered band ring and reinforce the seam of a fold form.
25 min
05: Affixing Smaller Elements to Larger
Find out how Jim tackles soldering smaller elements onto larger one. He'll show you how to solder bezels onto larger objects as well as how to create a hollow constructed piece.
25 min
06: Mixed Metals
Learn how to solder a simple pin made of mixed metals. Then Jim will guide you step by step through creating a gold and silver ring without fear of ruining your precious pieces or expensive materials.
17 min
