Below are the things that you will need to conduct the soldering of your sterling silver charms bracelet:
- A Silver solder
- 20-gauge silver wire
- Wire clippers
- Sandpaper
- Files
- Ring mandrel
- Mallet
- Jewelry pliers
- Flux
- Paintbrush
- Pickle pot and solution
- Blowtorch
- Soldering clamps
- Tongs
- Silver clasp
- Polishing cloth
- Charms and beads
Get the exact measurement of the bracelet that you intend to make. Considering the fact that you will have to come up with chain links of approximately half an inch each, calculate the number of links that will be needed to cover the entire length of the bracelet.
Take the silver wire and divide into half inch chain links. Cut enough chain links to complete the length of the bracelet that you will be making. Sand and file the edges until they become smooth. Get the jewelry pliers and use them to hold a single wire piece and wrap it around your ring mandrel. Ensure that the ends snugly meet. Bang the wire into the perfect loop shape using the mallet. Get the wire off the mandrel.
The loop ends of the wire create something that resembles a seam. Take the paint brush and place a little flux on this ‘seam’. The flux should only be put at the spot where you intend to have the solder flowing. Get the silver solder and cut tiny pieces of it. Place these pieces accurately along the seam. A pair of tweezers might be needed to assist you get the accuracy.
Get the soldering clamps and fit the wire loop into them. Use your fir bricks to adjust the clamps over; this will help you to ensure full protection of the soldering area. Put on the blow torch and have it burning at a very small flame. Hold the flame directly under the seam. Once the solder flows right into the seam, turn off the torch.
Use tongs to place the wire loops in the pickle pot; allow them to cool inside the pot and then remove them and sand and file to get rid of excess solder.
Repeat the process until you have come up with a singular long linked chain. Then get the premade clasps or you can choose to make your own clasps and attach them to the chain. Get your polishing cloth and finely polish the chain. Get your charms and attach them to the chain loops: you can choose to string them through all the loops and then soldering each of the loops to close them up. You will have managed to easily solder your sterling silver charms.