From the largest ornamental gates – some weighing hundreds of tons – to simple earrings whose weight is measured in grams, metalsmithing plays an amazing role in our lives. To be sure, some metal crafts are not for the average person. But a lot of it is.

Albert Paley with his Portal Gates for the St. Louis Zoo, Courtesy of Paley Studios, Ltd., Bruce Miller photograph

What Do I Need To Start?
There’s an image of metalsmithing for many people of a blacksmith, grimy and sweaty, swinging a hammer to a piece of iron, sparks flying.

Truth is, unless you have a lot of space – and we mean a lot – forging and ironwork probably isn’t for you. Same is true for welding, which, with a flame heated to 3100 degrees, presents its own dangers from burns, eye damage, and exposure to gases and particulates. Given the proper precautions, the problems can be reduced significantly. However, a lot of training just to handle your tools and processes are imperative.

Tom Joyce working on Penumbra charred drawings, Kate Joyce photograph

Most metalsmiths who need to form or combine metals do so in jewelry, and for them, the process of soldering is significantly more manageable, practical, and safe. Although soldering is not as structurally strong as welding, for most craft applications it is more than sufficient, and creates a clean, structurally sound, and precise bond.
The process has been around as long as objects have been made of metal, “gluing” pieces of metal together with melted solder. For some uses a soldering iron or gun will suffice. The former has a variety of tips available ranging from blunt to very fine.

PAGE 1 : 2 : 3 : 4