Tools, Materials and Techniques
- saw (jeweler's saw)
- snips
- flat file
- half-round file
- jewelers' file
- planishing hammer
- raising hammer
- cross-pein hammer
- ball-pein hammer
- anvils
- stakes
- swage blocks
- riveting
- silver hard-solder
- flux
- borax
- boric acid
- torch or blow-pipe
- pickle (this is used to dilute sulfuric acid (this is used to remove firescale))
- buffing wheels
- polishing compounds.
- chasing
- repousse
- engraving
Silversmiths saw or cut specific shapes from sterling and fine silver sheet metal and bar stock, and then use hammers to form the metal over anvils and stakes. Silver is hammered cold (at room temperature). As the metal is hammered, bent, and worked, it 'work-hardens'. Annealing is the heat-treatment used to make the metal soft again. If metal is work-hardened, and not annealed occasionally, the metal will crack and weaken the work.
Silversmiths can use casting techniques to create knobs, handles and feet for the hollowware they are making.
After forming and casting, the various pieces may be assembled by soldering and riveting
During most of their history, silversmiths used charcoal or coke fired forges, and lung-powered blow-pipes for soldering and annealing. Modern silversmiths commonly use gas burning torches as heat sources. A newer method is laser beam welding.
Silversmiths may also work in copper and brass, although this is usually confined to practice pieces due to the cost of the metals
Read more about this topic: Silversmith
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