Also, additional thought, this is the video I've been trying to find forever. This is a soldering version! Every tutorial video I've found is just a diy gold leaf or glue... not what I wanted. SO HAPPY I FOUND THIS!
Just loved your video! Straightforward with no nonsense or crazy background music. well done. I have tons of gemstones, rocks and arrowheads and can't wait to give this a try.
Thank you so much for sharing . I work as a psychoanalyst , I treat many young people, often face to face is initially difficult. I have found w/ young artistic people 20's that projects such as this provides a wonderful venue for language / sharing. lovely
If you wipe your iron on the sponge rather then tap it, or use a rag to wipe the tip it will work better. You also should “tin” the tip. You do this by cleaning the tip with a rag or even fine sandpaper then melting solder all over the tip, not the whole shaft. Use the tinned tip to do all the soldering. This process enables a quick heat transfer from iron to work. Wipe tip after each use. Before you unplug the iron thoroughly clean the tip then apply a heavy coat of solder. Let it cool. When you use it again, heat it up, clean it and tin it. This will make your work go much smoother.
I found this video a few months ago and it encouraged me to buy a soldering iron. Once I was ready to try it out I couldn't find the video... SOOO happy to have found it again (and saving it this time!) There's no other video tutorials like this that I could find. Thank you so much for sharing!! :)
Thank you for making this video. I also have the 'third hand'. It gives me new excitement, that I can do this with a lot of the rocks I've polished, and make pendants with them!
This video helped me and I’ve made my first two pendants and I love them. It’s cheaper and faster to make your own than to buy pendants when they all want to sell them at $100+ and making a huge profit when they paid like $20 at most to buy a stone
I've been looking for easy ways to do this with the many agates, jasper, crystals, fossils and other rocks I find on Lake Superior each summer. I like how you keep each rock whole and not slab cut. A great way to display a smaller to medium sized rock. I display larger agates around the house (2 lbs. 7 ounces was the largest this summer and a new personal best), but I average 100 to 200 agates each season (most smaller to about the size of a golf ball) and am looking for a creative way to display them or make them as gifts for loved ones. Thank you so much for the information. I've been looking into wire wrapping, but I do not have the patience and it tends to hide more of the agate.
Absolutely love this tutorial.....I don't care for the glue option with stones, and this is perfect for me to do. Thank you. It was no nonsense and to the point. Very rare in some of the videos I've perused prior. OX Kitty
I have collected Stones rocks gems forever and I've always wanted to know how to do this. Thank you for making it clear and concise video. I can't wait to try it😁
This is a great video-and I can’t wait to try it on some of my favorite stones. It seems like an economical way to hone this skill. Everything I learned previously said solder can not fill gaps, but in this method it can and is very flexible.
You are awesome!!! I can't wait to put this to use on some projects. Thank you so much. My first big project....make a wedding ring for my beautiful bride. 😍❤️
Wow, thank you for this fabulous posting! I’ve never done this, but am so looking forward to practicing and perfecting this method, really, really soon! Thank you!🙏💕
This is soo cool! I love love love this informational tutorial so much. You are an angel for making this video for us. Absolutely awesome! ❤️ That is a great idea for souvenirs. I always seem to find the coolest looking rocks or “earth gems”, I call them, from everywhere I go because I purposely look for them. This makes me so excited to try. I thank you very much. Now I just need to find a third hand, for real, I already have everything else and I know how it solder.
I have been trying to do this for the past two hours 😢 I don't know what I'm doing wrong. Maybe it's the Flux I'm using or maybe the solder. Ugh you make it look so easy.
Thank you. I subscribed.⬅️😊 hello from Florida 🌴 I was looking just for this technique. I want to learn how to solder and do electroplating. Your video was great. I learned allot today. Thank you. ✌️☮️🙏
What a great video, thank you for these! I've seen a few of them now, and I love 'em. They're informative without being pedantic, giving good instructions without being confusing. I've just subscribed. ^_^
I love this video. I use to work soldering electronic components. One time I try to fix my piece of jewelry and it didn't work. So I have up. Now I am taking metalsmith classes, but this video is perfect for my cheaper everyday wear proyects. One question. Can you solder copper wire on top of the copper tape, for a natural copper color.?
Hi Stacie, I was very happy to find your video for adding this kind of end cap for a rock or glass. Would it work for smooth crystals as well? I have been learning how to set cabochon stones in silver which is fun but very difficult and time consuming. I have some crystals that are too smooth to wrap so this technique could be perfect.
Thanks so much for sharing this technique. As a jewelry designer who works with metal fabrication, when I solder metal to metal they become one. I'm curious as to how the copper ends up adhering to the stone? Thanks so much!
+YaYa Spears The copper tape is sticky like scotch tape so it 'sticks' to whatever you are applying it to. Then you burnish it down using a bone folder, butter knife, Popsicle stick ect.
Question. There are some agates with fractures that leave little options, but to face cut them, or slab cut. In that case, is it possible to wrap the tape and solder around the entire outside of the slab. In some instances, it would look nice.
Brilliant!!! Love love love this!!! I got all the supplies to try it out now. I was confused at first thinking there's another cap thing that goes on top but I get it now that I've watched it a few times 🤦🏼♀️😂🤷🏼♀️ Ty so much for an excellent tut!!!💗
Thank you sooo much for this video! I'm just wondering what do you mean by "prepping your soldering iron" ? I have a soldering iron with different heads and I've ruined 3 already as it seems they can't handle the heat... Haha they just melt right into my projects
Thank you for this. Always wondered how to do it. Quick question(s) if I may. Can you use solder paste? And if so does the strength matter? Can you use a gas torch instead of an iron? Thanks again.
+Leah Firth No don't use a gas torch or solder paste! Those are for metalsmithing whereas this solder is used for electronics. Heating a rock or gem to torch temperatures may cause it to shatter.
If I may make a suggestion: In order to prolong the life of your soldering iron (and work), use a sal ammoniac block before soldering your work. Also, never place your hands or fingers directly beneath what you're soldering. It's a liquid that is very hot, and if it touches your skin, it'll REALLY hurt. Other than that, thank you for sharing your tutorial!
I'd like to work with shells and sterling silver. Do you have a video on detailing shells with silver? Not sure where to start. Happy to offer payment for consulting. : )
thanks so much for this video! im getting bad visible seams from the copper tape, do you have any tricks up your sleeve for getting the solder even over the seams? i tried putting a ton of flux and that didnt help :(
Rats! I've had this happen a couple times, I'd let the solder cool and then I'd try to "drip" another bead of solder onto the seam and spread it out quickly. It's like you're tricking solder into sticking if that makes sense? Haha
Hello! This is awesome! I've been wondering what to do with the rocks I have been tumbling. Do you know whether the copper tape will stay on a polished rock?
Hello, what temperature do you use your soldering iron at? And also when you say you apply e6000 glue, is that around the base of the solder on top of the copper tape and going on to the rock too once you’ve finished?
How long will these results last? Does this easily come off? Does it depend on the tackiness of the copper tape? Full disclosure, I know nothing about this :)
hello stacie thanks for the video, it's very useful ,I have a question, is it possible to apply flux directly on quartz and solder? Might be a silly question, but just curious, thanks!
Hi Stacie! I have a quick question. I tried this, but without copper tape. (Couldn't find any) And the lead-free solder just didn't stick. Do you have any idea if that's because of the lack of copper tape? Greetings from Belgium! ;-)