Decorative Finishes: Imogen Waitt © May, 2010

1 DECORATIVE FINISHES FORGING: Try using a selection hammers to create marks into your work.
This is a great way to add different textures. You can also use doming punches to create dimples in your work. You are spreading the metal and the edges of your work will move. This looks good, but if you want a straight edged finish, simply file your work smooth at the end. It is possible to buy or make decorative punches in star patterns, hatched patterns, wave patterns etc. Remember to keep annealing your work if the metal is soft it accept the hammer blows better and the pattern will be deeper and will ensure you do not split the metal as it work hardens. Make sure your hammer face is well polished before you start. Spending time getting your tools ready will pay off in the end. Any marks from an uneven hammer will be transferred onto the metal. This surface finish is best polished in a barrel polisher or with a soft wire brush, as a traditional polishing motor will reduce the effect of the hammer blows.
INLAYING Traditional inlaying can be tricky to master. It is necessary to cut a triangular groove into your metal and then hammer in the different metal that will form the inlay. The metal does not need to be soldered.
Imogen Waitt
May, 2010
2 This is a non-traditional alternative. Create a channel using a graver, saw, file or drill bit. Then feed the metal to be inlayed into the groove. Solder using small pallions placed at intervals along the inlay. After quenching and annealing, pass the metal through a rolling mill, wedge it in between protective metal plates and squeeze in a vice, or finally, put a protective plate over the piece of work and hit with a hammer.
OVERLAY USING SWEAT SOLDERING TECHNIQUES.
This example shows smaller and smaller stars sweat soldered one on top of the other. Layers can be built up using silver, gold, brass or copper to add interest.
GRANULATION Make small balls of silver or gold using your old scraps of metal. Simply make a dent in a piece of charcoal and melt the metal until it forms a rolling red hot ball. Once annealed they can be soldered or fused onto Imogen Waitt May, 2010
3 your work. It may help to file a small area of the ball flat to aid soldering.
DRILLING Interesting effects can be achieved by simply drilling into the metal. Either drill part way through and oxidise the metal, then polish off any unwanted black areas, or drill all the way through so that light/skin can
show through. To oxidise silver add 1 square cm of Potassium Sulphate to 1 pint of boiling water (or follow the instructions on a proprietary brand) and immerse for about 30 seconds. Dont leave it in too long as the end result will be flaky. Remove and rinse, then polish off any unwanted black with fine emery paper. The smell is simply dreadful, so make sure you ventilate well and do not inhale whilst leaning over the pan. To colour brass or copper you can use a solution of 4 parts ammonia and 1 part vinegar, mixed into damp sawdust or rolling tobacco. Leave it overnight at least, longer if possible. The result should be an attractive green patina on brass and a reddish blue on copper. Coat with varnish or lacquer to protect it AMMONIA SHOULD BE USED WITH CAUTION
Imogen Waitt
May, 2010
4 AND NEVER INHALED. PLEASE FOLLOW THE SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS ON THE BOTTLE.
This example is one I make regularly. I use a mixture of granulation and sweat soldering stars and pieces of fine wire to make the star trails. I use a mixture of sterling silver and yellow gold. The star trails can be soldered entirely to the back plate, or partially soldered by the star and raised up to gain a more 3-D effect.
Simple curls and swirls are also very effective.
Imogen Waitt
May, 2010
WIRE BRUSHES Steel or brass brushes can be used to get an subtle frosted effect. You will need to get out all your scratches in the usual way first.
SANDING BLOCKS Rub the sanding block in one direction only over the metal.
STEEL BURRS By dancing a steel burr (attached to your pendant drill or Dremmel ) over the surface of your metal you can etch patterns or effects onto the surface. There are numerous different burrs to choose from and each will give you a different finish.
Imogen Waitt
May, 2010

Decorative Finishes: Imogen Waitt © May, 2010

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1 DECORATIVE FINISHES FORGING: Try using a selection hammers to create marks into your work.

OVERLAY USING SWEAT SOLDERING TECHNIQUES.

Simple curls and swirls are also very effective.

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