Gold-filled and Argentium Chains: Fused, Soldered, and Formed!

The following supplies will be used for course demonstrations and objectives. A suggested item and/or vendor has been provided below for reference. Click the vendor name to be redirected to a page where you can view the item. The quantities needed for each item are listed first. If ordering, please be aware that some items may come in larger quantities than needed for this class. We recommend not opening an item's packaging until the day of the workshop. Student participation during or in-between class sessions is encouraged but not required.

Raw Materials/Consumables:

• 1 x 6" (minimum ) Argentium round wire, 14ga, dead-soft (RioGrande)   
• 1 x 1ft (minimum) Argentium round wire, 16ga, dead-soft (RioGrande)
• 1 x 1ft (minimum) Argentium round wire, 18ga, dead-soft (RioGrande)
• 1 x 1ft (minimum) Argentium round wire, 20ga, dead-soft (RioGrande)
• 1 x 1ft (minimum) Medium Argentium wire solder, 20ga, half-hard (RioGrande)
• 1 x 1ft (minimum) 14/20 gold-filled round wire, 20ga, dead-soft (RioGrande)
• 1 x 1ft (minimum) 14/20 gold-filled round wire, 18ga, dead-soft (RioGrande)
• 1 x 6" (minimum) 14/20 gold-filled round wire, 16ga, dead-soft (RioGrande)
• 1 x 4" (minimum) 14KT Extra easy wire solder, 20ga, half-hard (RioGrande)
• 1 x 1ft (minimum) Commercial gold-filled oval chain, 3.1 mm (RioGrande)
• 1 x 4 oz.  Cuprinol Flux (RioGrande)
• 1 x 5"x7"x2" Compressed charcoal block (RioGrande)

Basic Home Tools:

• 1 x round nose pliers (RioGrande)  
• 1 x chain nose pliers (RioGrande)
• 1 x flat nose pliers (RioGrande)
• 1 x snips / flush cutters (RioGrande)
• 1 x jewelers saw (RioGrande)
• 1 x pack saw blades - 2/0 (RioGrande)
• 1 x burlife / bee's wax (RioGrande)
• 1 x bench pin (RioGrande)
• 1 x half round hand file - #2 cut (RioGrande)

Basic Home Studio:

• 1 x rotary tool - flex shaft, micro motor, etc. (RioGrande)
• 1 x set of needle files - #2 cut (RioGrande)
• 1 x half round forming pliers (RioGrande)
• 1 x center punch (RioGrande)
• 1 x scribe (RioGrande)
• 1 x ring clamp (RioGrande)
• 1 x rawhide / plastic mallet (RioGrande)
• 1 x riveting hammer (RioGrande)
• 1 x chasing hammer (RioGrande)
• 1 x steel block / steel surface (RioGrande)
• 1 x small steel ruler (RioGrande)
• 1 x sheet of sand paper - 220 to 600 grits (Amazon)
• 1 x calipers - optional / nice to have (RioGrande)
• 1 x dividers - optional / nice to have (RioGrande)
• 1 x sanding sticks - optional / nice to have (RioGrande)
• 1 x parallel pliers - optional / nice to have (RioGrande)

Basic Forming Tools:

• 1 x planishing hammer (RioGrande)
• 1 x ring mandrel (RioGrande) 

Basic Soldering/Torch Set-Up:

• 1 x fireproof area - steel sheet, tiles, etc. (Amazon or Home Depot)
• 1 x Solderite™ pad / pan with pumice (RioGrande or RioGrande)
• 1 x compressed charcoal block - hard (RioGrande)
• 1 x torch - Smith mini, Silversmith, or butane (RioGrande or RioGrande)
• 1 x #0 or #1 torch tip - if getting Silversmith (RioGrande)
• 1 x striker or lighter - Silversmith system has one (RioGrande)
• 1 x soldering tweezers (RioGrande)
• 1 x soldering pick (RioGrande)
• 1 x 3rd arm (RioGrande)
• 1 x cross lock tweezers (RioGrande)
• 1 x paste flux (RioGrande)
• 1 x copper tongs - for pickle (RioGrande)
• 1 x 6” silver solder - hard (RioGrande)
• 1 x 6” silver solder - medium (RioGrande)
• 1 x 6” silver solder - easy (RioGrande)
• 1 x pickle - sodium bisulfate or citric acid (RioGrande or Amazon)
• 1 x brass bristle brush (RioGrande)
• 1 x crock pot or lidded glass container (RioGrande or Amazon)
• 1 x tempered glass container or sink - for quenching and rinsing
• 1 x small brush - for flux
• 1 x liquid hand soap - for cleaning metal 

Other/Miscellaneous Items:

• Safety glasses
• Pencil, sharpie, and a notebook