Using "Turning" to make Sterling Silver Earrings
By modifying a rotary tool, most commonly a Foredom, it is possible to “turn” sterling silver. Turning or lathing is a technique widely used in woodworking to create spindles for chairs or railing.
It is important to have a “to scale drawing”, it will be used to map out the metal before starting the turning.
Tools Used:
- A variety of needle and hand files: Round, Square, Triangle, Equaling
- Emery paper: 220, 400, 600 and 1000 Grits
- Dividers
- Fine tipped felt marker
Setting up the “turning” station by using a Jiffy jig and a small table vice to hold the Foredom hand piece, frees up both hands.
The Process:
- A piece of thick sterling silver rod (8gauge wire) is first straightened. To do this the rod must be Annealed . Then use a steel block and a rawhide mallet to straighten the sterling silver rod. The rod must be perfectly straight or it will wobble while rotating and the turning will not be true.
- The sterling silver rod is secured into a foredom hand piece, held by a jiffy jig and a small portable vice.
- A pair of dividers or a felt marker is used to map out the segments to be turned.
- Files are then used to file shapes into the sterling silver rod.
- Emery papers are used to smooth the metal
- A jeweller’s handsaw is used to cut the turned piece off of the rod
- The cut off end is smoothed using files and emery papers.
- A hole is drilled in the turned piece and a sterling silver jump ring is secured in place.
- Lastly a sterling silver earring hook is added.
Finished "turned" sterling silver earrings
