melting a silver bar into grain for making sterling silver wire.

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  • čas přidán 22. 08. 2024
  • Melting a silver bar in to water for making silver grain that can be used for making sterling silver wire.
    After running out of sterling silver wire, it was time to melt my treasured fine silver bar and make some wire.
    If you enjoy my video please "like it" and help me get it seen.
    I appreciate comments and feedback below any video, it's great to have some connection with viewers, or if you have any questions about my videos that I may be able to help with.
    Also please consider subscribing to my channel to see my new videos and to give me a big fat smile … here's a link you can click …
    / @nickscreativestuff
    thanks … Nick
    Music
    “call of the wild” and “deep mind” from storyblocks in LumaFusion.
    Ps
    If you would like to see more of my creative stuff … here's another link to click…
    • Making silver chains
    #meltingasilverbar #makingsilvergrain #makingsterlingsilverwire

Komentáře • 93

  • @jimbartley9125
    @jimbartley9125 Před rokem +4

    I can see from the comments that it was cost effective but obviously time consuming. Never done more than small amounts and usually to recycle silver waste generated by making other items. I look forward to seeing more videos now you have plenty of wire to work with. Cheers. Jim

    • @Nickscreativestuff
      @Nickscreativestuff  Před rokem

      Hi Jim, drawing down wire is time consuming however being a hobbyist time spent in the workshop is pure pleasure. not sure what to make next with my abundance of wire may be a graduated chain … cheers … Nick

  • @alicerosa6766
    @alicerosa6766 Před měsícem +1

    Awesome video, and very good to see the process. Thank you Nick for share your knowledge 😊.

    • @Nickscreativestuff
      @Nickscreativestuff  Před měsícem

      Thanks Alice, a very gratifying process. Not something I get to do every day … N

  • @lukereavley1993
    @lukereavley1993 Před měsícem +1

    Love the creative little jigs in your videos

    • @Nickscreativestuff
      @Nickscreativestuff  Před měsícem

      Thanks for that Luke, to save a few quid by making a tool can be very satisfying sometimes … N

  • @lizstrangesavage7948
    @lizstrangesavage7948 Před 6 měsíci +1

    Thanks for sharing this process, Nick!

    • @Nickscreativestuff
      @Nickscreativestuff  Před 6 měsíci

      Hi Liz, it’s nice to try new processes that can be shared … cheers … Nick

  • @joannegeorge3184
    @joannegeorge3184 Před rokem +1

    Fascinating, this was my introduction to wire making.

    • @Nickscreativestuff
      @Nickscreativestuff  Před rokem +2

      thanks Joanne, thrilling process growing metres of wire from a blob of silver … N

  • @TheSilverSmithsBench1
    @TheSilverSmithsBench1 Před rokem +2

    Wonderful video!

  • @puresas
    @puresas Před 3 měsíci +1

    Awesome

  • @scarlettardis2018
    @scarlettardis2018 Před rokem +2

    Nothing like a day drawing and rolling out stock gauge and wire 👌👍

    • @Nickscreativestuff
      @Nickscreativestuff  Před rokem +1

      cheers Scarlet, very satisfying process to reshape silver when it works well … N

  • @smac3662
    @smac3662 Před 10 měsíci +1

    Great video of process. About how long did it take to keep reducing the size till you achieved the 1mm wire? Thank you

    • @Nickscreativestuff
      @Nickscreativestuff  Před 10 měsíci

      Hi S Mac, it’s a surprisingly quick process If you have a rolling mill that can reduce it most of the way to start with. Drawing it down from 3mm by pulling through 20 holes may take an hour or so with annealing every two or three pulls. i’m lucky enough to have a long garden outside my workshop door so I can pull six meters easily in one go … N

  • @guidelineuk4876
    @guidelineuk4876 Před rokem +1

    GREAT job can't wait to do this for the first time :-)

    • @Nickscreativestuff
      @Nickscreativestuff  Před rokem

      thanks guideline, very satisfying drawing down silver to 1mm wire when it works … N

  • @tammiehonican76
    @tammiehonican76 Před rokem

    Hey Nick, thanks for the video! I absolutely love the process! You are a true master of wire. And I love your music 🎶 🎵 ❤️ and have a great day! 😀

    • @Nickscreativestuff
      @Nickscreativestuff  Před rokem

      thanks Tammie, making my own wire has been a very satisfying process to learn especially with the bit of money that can be saved. glad you like the music, hope it’s not too noticeable that I’ve used it a few times now … N

    • @tammiehonican76
      @tammiehonican76 Před rokem +1

      @Nicks creative stuff the music is inspiring and kinda haunting, love it. How much wire, say 16ga, could you make make with that bar? Just curious 🤔
      And again another thought provoking video!!!

    • @Nickscreativestuff
      @Nickscreativestuff  Před rokem +1

      hi Tammie, I use the Cooksongold website for cross referencing wire weight diameter and length, a great built in calculating tool. 100g of 1.3mm wire works out to be just over 7m in length and 1mm wire would be nearly 12.5m … N

  • @AaAa-iz3cp
    @AaAa-iz3cp Před 6 měsíci +1

    Good

  • @joshbattaglia7471
    @joshbattaglia7471 Před 9 měsíci +1

    That was a great video. Thanks :)

    • @Nickscreativestuff
      @Nickscreativestuff  Před 9 měsíci

      Thanks Josh, it was a very satisfying process of melting such a big lump at silver … N

  • @Kera.S.
    @Kera.S. Před rokem +1

    So cool! Great use of materials 👋💙

    • @Nickscreativestuff
      @Nickscreativestuff  Před rokem +1

      Thanks Kera, After melting my precious bar, I now have potentially an endless amount of cheaper wire to play with … N

  • @rickyjackson1776
    @rickyjackson1776 Před 8 měsíci +1

    Thank you I needed this

  • @karimchaouch6888
    @karimchaouch6888 Před 2 měsíci +1

    Amazing video, How long did it take you to make this wire?

    • @Nickscreativestuff
      @Nickscreativestuff  Před 2 měsíci

      Thanks for that karim, it’s a surprisingly quick process. I could easily produce say 10m of 1mm wire in a couple of hours … N

  • @tomaszjanuszewski1223
    @tomaszjanuszewski1223 Před rokem +1

    Super video👍

  • @jsl1952
    @jsl1952 Před rokem +1

    wonder if the process of melting the silver to repurpose as sterling causes some loss from the original amount.

    • @Nickscreativestuff
      @Nickscreativestuff  Před rokem +3

      Hi JSL, i’m sure there would be some loss. I tried this process after running out of sterling silver wire and seeing it would cost £1.20 a gram to buy more. My fine silver bar cost 0.77p per gram so it made sense to have a go … N

  • @kirtandrews1859
    @kirtandrews1859 Před měsícem +1

    Hi nick. Omg to a man that has a fetish for silver almost this made me cry but so so stupidly pretty to watch as you were dropping it in the ice water. I could easily to this to make my own silver. But I don't have a rolling mill and won't anytime soon too much money. But also I see you added copper to it. So we can melt copper? I thought we couldn't melt copper at home without a forge? I know it was only 7.5grams but still. So If i was to cut up my copper wires into 1cm chunks I should be able to melt it in a large crucible and soft blowy flame?:I have some great looking graphite moulds I could use it with. Hope your well and another great video. Kirt

    • @Nickscreativestuff
      @Nickscreativestuff  Před měsícem +1

      Hi Kirt, I had this lump of silver to admire for many years … finally bit the bullet and melted it when I was in need of more wire. Mills are expensive but I was pleasantly surprised with this budget one when I bought it nearly 10 years ago for about £160. Copper is difficult to melt but having oxygen and propane mixed torches makes it much more easily achieved. I think it should be possible with your Mapp gas torch. I would suggest starting with small amounts in small crucibles to see what’s possible. As the whole crucible needs to come up to temperature the smaller it is the quicker the melting process will happen … N

    • @kirtandrews1859
      @kirtandrews1859 Před měsícem +1

      @Nickscreativestuff Hi there yes I was thinking if I cut it up onto tiny little bits then with blowy flame in a small crucible ti get hottest quicker. And yes for rolling Mills. I have seen one for about same price as yours £120-160 . Seams and looks good not sure I'd even have the room for it tbh. But having a mill would definitely set me on my way wouldn't it. I already own about 3kg of silver half of that atleast could be scrapped and renewed. I love watch how a tiny bit can stretch into miles of it. Realistically it would be the final piece to the puzzle if you like. I'd be all set. Thisnis thing I'm all set now really. It's my blooming health all this week and last i have been stuck to my bed almost. I truly and utterly hope my surgeon tomorrow can offer some help I'm hoping she can mayne numb the area for me or something its a area thst I am aware of 24-7 due to the pain level and discomfort its my previous bum site. So think aboit every single time you sit. I can't sit at all at the moment as I have a internal collection thst should of been drained in September last year. So im sure you can imagine. Fingers crossed tomorrow she can offer some advice. I'm truly fed up I can't do anything at all. Just getting out of bed hurts me to a point I shake during and after. It's ridiculous a man of my age in this century 5 years later I am still not healed and there all scratching there head. I had a panproctocolectomy if you want to Google it. But they left the final very last bit open to allow to drain and heal on its own. Suffice to say never healed and the collection has done jsut that. Anyhow I talk too much . Good luck with your partner. I shall update you if I have any updates tomorrow. Take care , kirt

    • @Nickscreativestuff
      @Nickscreativestuff  Před měsícem +1

      I do love making my own wire, although I found it very frustrating to start with. However much I annealed regularly and reduced slowly my wire would soon develop cracks making it pointless to proceed with it any further. Eventually I learned it had to be a very clean and non-contaminated material, by mixing in scrap that I had saved up I was introducing a lot of solder that I find hinders the drawing down process.
      That’s one hell of a procedure you’ve been through and it must be very challenging to stay positive in life especially with all the complications it’s brought. I find creativity a very powerful energy to play with and without it in life I would really struggle. So I can imagine your health issues holding you back must be very frustrating. I find the small snippets of creativity I can achieve add up to the satisfaction i’m always yearning for. I don’t need to spend hours and hours in my workshop anymore to get my creative juices flowing, a few quality moments every day can be just as gratifying … I hope you can get into your studio soon … N

    • @kirtandrews1859
      @kirtandrews1859 Před 29 dny +1

      @Nickscreativestuff Hello nick. Yes I agree for me just a hour of designing something can satisfy me. And yes now you understand I have a studio crammed wirh goodies and I can't get out there to enjoy it. Met with surgeon today they are taking me in tomorrow!!! I cried with overjoyed I have suffered way too long and my symtoms are endless my brain cant cope with it all. Apparently 4hr surgery time apparently so fingers crossed. If it relieves me slightly I will be overjoyed truly. Ps cracking ah OK so lots of borax during melting to ensure good clean silver and scooping of any crud that floats before pouring. I definitely have to try this.

    • @Nickscreativestuff
      @Nickscreativestuff  Před 29 dny

      Well good luck with that. I hope your procedure goes well and you can start to get back to some sort of stable normality soon. I’m sure there must be a way of refining silver to be able to get all the solder out of it probably lots of chemical so well above my station … all the best for tomorrow … N

  • @daykangemcutting8679
    @daykangemcutting8679 Před rokem +1

    wow, the things i would do to that silver bar.

    • @Nickscreativestuff
      @Nickscreativestuff  Před rokem +1

      oh yes, I don’t think I will be running out again any time soon … N

  • @farticlesofconflatulation
    @farticlesofconflatulation Před 7 měsíci +1

    Is it better to alloy your own sterling silver or to melt down or work sterling spoons and forks? What are the pros and cons? To me it seems like a bargain to recycle silverware

    • @Nickscreativestuff
      @Nickscreativestuff  Před 7 měsíci +1

      I make my own sterling silver because I bought a silver bar many years ago at a bargain price compared to now. it’s always worth keep an eye on the price for silver from somebody like Rio Grande or Cooksongold for a base price of a high standard sterling silver grain. A lot of money can be saved if you can find authentic silverware that can be melted down and recycled. The only problem being it needs to be weighed before purchase to make sure you’re getting a bargain from places like secondhand and antique shops … good luck with it … Nick

    • @farticlesofconflatulation
      @farticlesofconflatulation Před 7 měsíci +1

      @@Nickscreativestuff yeah, I’ve got a reputable coin shop nearby that has a scale which is periodically certified by the state. I sometimes buy silverware and Olympic commemorative sterling silver coins and odd medallions from him. I like the coins and medallions because I can easily roll them out into sheet without melting them into ingots. Thanks for the info!

    • @Nickscreativestuff
      @Nickscreativestuff  Před 7 měsíci +1

      It sounds like you’ve got it well sorted. I struggle to recycle anything I’ve collected, it ends up staying in the bottom drawer and being admired for its hallmarks … N

  • @laithrabi4177
    @laithrabi4177 Před rokem +1

    After adding 7.5g copper to 100g 1000 carat silver Does the caliber become 925?

    • @Nickscreativestuff
      @Nickscreativestuff  Před rokem +3

      Hi Laith, in this video I added 7.5 g of copper to 92.5 g of fine silver making sterling silver … N

  • @28Cryptic743
    @28Cryptic743 Před rokem +1

    is it better to draw wire to make it smaller or to run wire thru the roller to make it smaller?

    • @Nickscreativestuff
      @Nickscreativestuff  Před rokem +4

      hi Kenneth, a roller makes quick easy work of reducing it down in size but won’t make perfect wire. A draw plate turns it into perfectly round wire for a nice finish … N

  • @philipwiles4362
    @philipwiles4362 Před rokem +1

    Just curious why add copper to the melt, thanks

    • @Nickscreativestuff
      @Nickscreativestuff  Před rokem +1

      hi Philip by adding 7.5% copper to pure silver you make sterling silver that is a lot harder and more wear resistant when making jewellery … N

    • @philipwiles4362
      @philipwiles4362 Před rokem +1

      @@Nickscreativestuff Thanks Nick

  • @lovein-jeweler
    @lovein-jeweler Před rokem

    Wow,. So amazing

    • @Nickscreativestuff
      @Nickscreativestuff  Před rokem +1

      thanks Lovein, very satisfying it melted like butter with a big torch … N

  • @annnoyez
    @annnoyez Před 7 měsíci +2

    Wauw... that was so nice to watch... but I would never want to make my wore myself... to much expensive tools needed. What I want to know is, what should be the cheapest, workable torch to do copperwire solding, not melting... I would shit my pants. Was burned about 9 years ago and still rather scared of things that are too warm... and starts flaming... so I would keep it with soldering... 😂❤

    • @Nickscreativestuff
      @Nickscreativestuff  Před 7 měsíci +2

      sorry to hear that Malika I know how you feel I was badly burnt as a kid due to a gas explosion. There are a few different options for gas torches but they all have their own quirks and inherent dangers. I would guess the most popular used by jewellers are the small refillable butane type torches that are sometimes used in kitchens. These torches are refilled from a small disposable gas canister, the sort used for refilling cigarette lighters. If you’re nervous of such a tool find a friendly handy person to help show you how they work and to get you started using one … N

    • @annnoyez
      @annnoyez Před 7 měsíci +2

      @@Nickscreativestuff thanks... that was helpful

    • @Nickscreativestuff
      @Nickscreativestuff  Před 7 měsíci +1

      👁️❤️🔥 … 👍😎👍 … N

    • @annnoyez
      @annnoyez Před 7 měsíci +2

      @Nickscreativestuff sorry to hear that you were once inflamed... not a good habit... I was unrecognizable... I was changed into a mummy and the only thing they could recognize me was because of my handbag 😂

    • @Nickscreativestuff
      @Nickscreativestuff  Před 7 měsíci +2

      bandaged from head to toe, but still stylish enough to carry a handbag … N

  • @Mryeadon
    @Mryeadon Před 6 měsíci +1

    What torch setup are you using?

    • @Nickscreativestuff
      @Nickscreativestuff  Před 6 měsíci +1

      Hi Mryeadon i used a large metal workers mixed propane and oxygen heating torch for melting the silver … N

  • @michellelucas1275
    @michellelucas1275 Před rokem +1

    That was really cool. To make your 15 feet of 1mm wire, how much of your silver did you use?

    • @Nickscreativestuff
      @Nickscreativestuff  Před rokem +2

      hi Michelle, I was surprised how well this worked. The 15 foot length of 1mm wire weighed 37g. so I used a bit less than this because there was 7.5% copper mixed in. I estimated if I had turned the whole bar into 1mm wire it would be about 430 feet long … N

    • @guidelineuk4876
      @guidelineuk4876 Před rokem +1

      @@Nickscreativestuff this is definitely the way forward. Can't wait to own a budget rolling Mill:-)great video

    • @Nickscreativestuff
      @Nickscreativestuff  Před rokem +2

      i’ve been very happy with my budget Rolling Mill, a big expensive Durston would be nice but a bit out of my league so it eventually came down to “a cheap tool is better than no tool” … N

    • @guidelineuk4876
      @guidelineuk4876 Před rokem +2

      @@Nickscreativestuff yes indeed, every now and then they send me an email of stuff I can't afford LOL

    • @Nickscreativestuff
      @Nickscreativestuff  Před rokem +1

      there must be a lot of money to be made in jewellery production if you get it right … N

  • @martinfigueira8485
    @martinfigueira8485 Před rokem

    ❤❤❤❤❤

  • @Sandman60077
    @Sandman60077 Před 22 dny

    That was painful to watch. You lost a lot of value on that silver by ruining a certified bar and turning it into no name jewelry. This is like buying a $600 name brand jacket then cutting it up to make your own jacket.

    • @Nickscreativestuff
      @Nickscreativestuff  Před 22 dny +2

      Well Sandman you’ve got that completely wrong … i’ve previously sold chains I’ve made at nearly £10 per gram … The equivalent to remaking your branded jacket and selling it for $6000 !!! … N

  • @william.t1591
    @william.t1591 Před rokem +1

    Hey been looking to get into making some rings what very basic tools would you recommend to start

    • @Nickscreativestuff
      @Nickscreativestuff  Před rokem

      hi, William, you could make a ring with a few basic tools like a saw, a pair of half round pliers and solder plus flux … good luck with it … Nick