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Rolling metal
Preparation of the brass bar: I use a rolling mill to reduce the thickness of the metal. The metal must be annealed to restore it to a softened condition suited to continued rolling, otherwise it may split.
Preparation of the brass bar: I use a rolling mill to reduce the thickness of the metal. The metal must be annealed to restore it to a softened condition suited to continued rolling, otherwise it may split.
Sawing
To fabricate any object from the basic forms of metal (here a sheet), once the design concept is established, the metal must be cut to necessary dimensions with a jeweler's saw. Then I use a file for abrading, shapping and smoothing my piece of metal, and check the straightness of the edges.
To fabricate any object from the basic forms of metal (here a sheet), once the design concept is established, the metal must be cut to necessary dimensions with a jeweler's saw. Then I use a file for abrading, shapping and smoothing my piece of metal, and check the straightness of the edges.
Measuring
I use a vernier caliper to measure and control the dimensions of the metal sheet.
I use a vernier caliper to measure and control the dimensions of the metal sheet.
Soldering
The edges of the metal are joined to form a ring. Then I apply borax to the joint, and I place solder snippets on it. The whole work is heated with a soldering torche, till the complete fusion of the solder.
The edges of the metal are joined to form a ring. Then I apply borax to the joint, and I place solder snippets on it. The whole work is heated with a soldering torche, till the complete fusion of the solder.
Forging
The work is placed in a pickle bath (acid dipping) to remove borax and dissolve surface oxide formed on metal during the soldering. Then I place the ring on a steel mandrel, to shape it and size it by pounding with a wood mallet.
The work is placed in a pickle bath (acid dipping) to remove borax and dissolve surface oxide formed on metal during the soldering. Then I place the ring on a steel mandrel, to shape it and size it by pounding with a wood mallet.
Filing and grinding
I remove the excess solder on the outside and the inside by filing, and file the edges true. Then the ring is gradually grinded to obtain a smooth and sweet surface. I use various abrasive papers (from the coarsest to the finest grade), mounted on wooden sticks. To grind the inside of the ring, I insert a piece of emery paper into the slot of a miniature split mandrel, and wrap the paper around.
I remove the excess solder on the outside and the inside by filing, and file the edges true. Then the ring is gradually grinded to obtain a smooth and sweet surface. I use various abrasive papers (from the coarsest to the finest grade), mounted on wooden sticks. To grind the inside of the ring, I insert a piece of emery paper into the slot of a miniature split mandrel, and wrap the paper around.
Granulation
I make the granules by heating and fusing small silver jump-rings on a charcoal block. The silver granules are positionned in the ring with borax and solder snippets, then they are soldered.
I make the granules by heating and fusing small silver jump-rings on a charcoal block. The silver granules are positionned in the ring with borax and solder snippets, then they are soldered.
Finishing
I use a small round bur to engrave the metal with a decorative motif . Then the ring is lovingly polished. A last I remove soils with a sweet brush and cleaning liquid, and here it is!
My Calibus ring is now ready to meet her new owner...
I use a small round bur to engrave the metal with a decorative motif . Then the ring is lovingly polished. A last I remove soils with a sweet brush and cleaning liquid, and here it is!
My Calibus ring is now ready to meet her new owner...
Ready to go!
Last step: the photo!
Now beautiful and shiny, Calibus is ready to go to its new sweet home!
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