Soldering clamps- tips from Master Goldsmith James Miller FIPG

This is a post about Soldering clamps that James Miller posted for members of the Metalsmiths Unite 2.0 group on Facebook

this is an example of one of James Miller's works- gold and enamel, with hand cut crystal.

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If you don’t already know James (aka Jim Miller) it is safe to say that he is one of our most accomplished goldsmiths in the MU2.0 group- He is known for his precision piercing and enameled goldsmithed works that have been used or worn by many notable clients such as sultans, royals (British monarchy) and the upper crust of British society. 



 the following is the post on the Metalsmiths Unite 2.0 wall ***********************************************************
James Miller- “Gloria Lenon asked about my stainless steel soldering clamps, I have posted this before, but for anyone who missed it here is my soldering clamps details sheet. I use 0.9mm. thick stainless steel sheet, pierced into strips of about 4mm x 100mm, then bend them to shape with pliers and they last a surprisingly long time. Sorry to those who have already seen this before.”

Jim Miller : http://www.allmetalsinc.com/.../SSH036.htmlStainless Sheet 20 Gauge (Grade 304) - Buy Small Quantities Online - Allmetalsinc.com 
www.allmetalsinc.comBuy Small Quantities of Stainless Sheet 20 Gauge (Grade 304) at the Allmetalsinc.com Online Metals Store


from MU member Jennifer Polson - Jim, how are you cutting your strips of steel? You mentioned piercing, are you just cutting strips with your jeweler's saw, or are you using separating disk? I bought some steel from Industrial Metal Supply in California, and it may be about 18 gauge. IMS used their big sheet cutter to make strips for me, they're between 5-7 mm wide. Should I try to halve them?



Reply: Jim Miller Jennifer, I use 0.90mm. thick stainless and yes I just pierce the strips with a jeweller's saw.Most of my clamps are made from 100mm. long strips of 3mm or 4mm widths.


 

MBZ-Also- it should be noted that James has a book written about him and his astonishing works of art- 
it can be found online at: http://www.amazon.com/The-Work-Master-Goldsmith-Collection/dp/0719801028



Thanks for reading- May the Flux be with you!- Maureen BZ