[Jewelry making - Article 00569] - Re: [Orchid] Newbie Questions

[Darcy Brockbank]

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>         3.  When doing a piece (a pierced piece, for example) that is
>     not going to be further work hardened (no hammering, etc.) how can I
>     harden the metal?  I am interested in techniques that don't require
>     a torch (don't have one of those yet either)(are there any?).  Along
>     this same line, I have come across "spring-hardened" sterling that
>     the manufacturer recommends for etching, but was wondering whether
>     it might be good for these kinds of pieces. 

    Your various metalsmithing books should have information about heat
    (age) hardening. I've been using my burnout oven for this. 

    Different books will list different temperatures and times required.
    McCreight offers 523F for sterling silver, I think, and hold it for
    two and a half hours, then air cool. 

    I've also read 640F and hold for an hour, then quench. 

    I'm no super expert, but I'm more inclined to air cool my pieces when
    heat hardening, rather than quenching. Kretchmer uses a patented
    technique when he forms his spring metals, and this involves slow
    cooling at a rate of 10F/minute, so I think slow cooling is probably
    the better approach (Kretchmer is my hero). 

    I'm not aware of any other techniques other than work or heat/age
    hardening. Doesn't mean they don't exist, I don't have a lot of
    experience. 

- darcy

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