Cold Connections in Jewelry
This playbook outlines the fundamental techniques for creating cold connections in jewelry making, including riveting and tab setting. These methods do not require the use of heat or soldering, offering a solid mechanical method to join metal pieces together.
Step 1: Gathering Materials
Collect all the necessary materials including the metal pieces you wish to join, rivets, hammer, bench block, drill or hole punch, jeweler's saw (if needed), and any other setting or finishing tools.
Step 2: Design Planning
Plan your design to decide where the cold connections will be applied and ensure that all parts fit together correctly. Determine the placement and number of rivets or tabs required.
Step 3: Drilling Holes
Use a drill or hole punch to create holes in the metal pieces where the rivets will be placed. Make sure the holes align perfectly when the pieces are stacked.
Step 4: Cutting Rivets
Cut your rivets to the appropriate length, considering the thickness of the material and the desired finished look.
Step 5: Assembly
Assemble the pieces by inserting the rivets through the aligned holes. If using tab setting, bend the tabs to secure the pieces.
Step 6: Securing
Use a hammer and bench block to carefully flare out the ends of the rivets, securing the pieces together. Ensure everything is tight and well-aligned.
Step 7: Finishing
Finish the piece by filing down any sharp edges or excess material from the rivets. Polish as desired.
General Notes
Safety
Always wear safety glasses when drilling, cutting, or hammering to protect your eyes from metal shards and debris.
Precision
Take your time to measure and align everything accurately. The success of cold connections relies on precision and attention to detail.