What are my choices?

[Taogem]

Rather than using a backing with bezel tape, is there a method and or silver product that I can solder some how around the outside of a stone? Eliminating the need for the backing?

Maybe....... is it possible to forum a length of bezel tape around it?

Also, if your seeing this Steel and Stone (Phil).

You mentioned that just starting out might want to stick to soldering flat untextured backing.  But.... would it be possible for me to send you some silver to run through your rolling machine?

I just don't think am very excited about untextured backings.

I am going to ask around at our local club, but I think there is only one member who may have a rolling machine.

[Steel and Stone]

George,

You do have another option other than a standard back and bezel. You can use what is called a step bezel. Rio has three version to choose from #102-305, #102-301, and 102-303.

I have used it in the past and they work well but it was just to restrictive for me as far as design goes. If you notice a lot of your mass produced, India and Mexico made pendants use step bezels. ( Cuts down on material )

As for sending me some silver to pattern send away. After it goes through the rolling mill it tends to "roll or buckle" the silver a little but it is easily fixed by annealing the silver and  hammering it down flat again.

The only other thing I would suggest is send me the silver in the approx. sizes you are going to use for your pieces. It seems the smaller the piece you texture the better the pattern comes out.

[Taogem]

I have not looked, but I am assume those are standard ovals, rounds, etc?

I was thinking more along the lines of freeform cabs.

The easiest way I can think of comparing is to imagine fitting something like a square type of wire. Like used for wrapping. Except was curious if there is something out there that might have a step or grove like part to it so that once cut to size and the ends soldered, that the stone might just set into it and then maybe just solder a few little prongs on the back to hold the stone in place.

Make sense?

It may be sorta tacky, but similar to maybe using bezel tape in the same way. Cut the tape to length. Shape it. Solder the ends together, and then bend the back side of the tape over the back of the stone and the front over the front. Ending up with a simple silver setting and then solder a hook to the top.

I just thought there might be something on the market that people are using this way.

Again..... make any sense?

[Steel and Stone]

George,

That is what step bezel is. It's just a bezel tape with a step on it. The three differnt types are just different patterns and heights. Go take a look at it and you will see what I mean. All you do it wrap it around your freeform cab just like you would any other bezel tape.

[Taogem]

Oh... ok thanks!

Should have looked to begin with I guess..

Sounds great!

I will get your address of the package coming and then send off a silver backing piece I have. It's only a 1 x 6, but suppose that will end up a bit larger after running through the rollers?

I know what your saying about it coming out sorta curled.

I would rather just run the whole piece through at one time. I can send it in a small box so that you can send it back curled.  If thats ok?

I am off to check the step tape out !

[Steel and Stone]

George,

A 1" x 6" piece will be no problem at all and I can annel it and flaten it back out.

Steel and Stone Designs
8383 Mazette Road
Weeki Wachee, FL. 34613

[Taogem]

Ok.., then will get it in Mondays mail.

Greatly appreciated.

I wonder if I ordered another couple pieces if Rio would mail it to your address?

[Steel and Stone]

Not sure if they will or not.
I would wait until monday or tuesday until I ordered anything silver. Silver dropped 11.25% yesterday and that will not reflect  in Rio's Spot Price until Monday. Thier spot today is $11.46 it should be in the area of $10.60 on monday.

Keep an eye on silver prices at the following link Real time Silver Charts and News

[Lavenderfish]

Tao, Will have to wait to mail anything until Tuesday. Monday's a fed holiday.

Phil, what do you use to hammer the curled metal back to nice & flat? Big Duh here, I hadn't even thought about having to do that after rolling. Looks like I'll be getting one too for Xmas.

I think the spot prices may also be lower in the morning and go up a little bit in the afternoon.

[Steel and Stone]

Carol,

All I use is a 4" x 6" x 1/2" thick block of steel I machined flat at work and use a Plastic hammer. You can also use a rawhide hammer. The steel block you can buy at Rio if you do not have a place locally to get it.


I'm not sure when or where exactly Rio, and Thunderbird Supply get thier daily spot from.  They always run one day behind the actual spot. ( So today's spot on the market will be Rio's spot tomorrow)

[mirkaba]

George remember a post I made last spring? I am looking for the link. Can't find it..Oh well. I still use the plain bezel strip occaisionally (28 guage). Measure to length, cut and solder it all together. Then just sort of wrap it around the stone and burnish. I am thinking that 30 ga. might be a little easier to roll around the edges of the stone but have not tried it yet.........Bob

[Taogem]

I just went looking for the post too Bob. Could not find it either.

Curious how corners are handled. Bet there is a technique...

[mirkaba]

This is my first one and shows the back. I epoxied the stone into this one.



If you know in advance that you are going to set the stone this way you will want to cut the girdle a little thinner so the strip can be folded over the back and front. Hope this helps..........Bob

[theimage1]

When I want to make a piece without a back, I first cut the normal bezel (flat), then cut a second piece of square wire and place it inside and along the edge of the bezel. The two can be closed and soldered together at eh same time. The square wire becomes a step for the stone to sit on. You can control the height depending on the gage of square wire you use.

[Taogem]

Another great idea! I do believe will give this a try first thing.

One thing I have not purchased yet, or made. Is one of those clamp assemblies that hold the pieces together. Doing something like this where trying to solder two at the same time, seems like there is no way around not having one.

In some of the videos I have watched, noticed some use of a bunch of pins or nails stuck into something. Not sure what that material was that the pins were stuck into. Any way it was another way to keep things in place while soldering.

Think will leave here and pick one of those dual clamping devices right now. And some of the square wire.

Hopefully there is a torch in tomorrows mail !