gluing organics to metal

On Wed, 16 Aug 2006 20:11:57 -0700, in rec.crafts.jewelry "Andrew Werby"
wrote:


"Abrasha" wrote
And what exactly do you mean with "mechanical mount"? How would you mount
a
pearl "mechanically" to a sterling silver post? Would you elaborate a bit
please.

--
Abrasha
http://www.abrasha.com

[I'm surprised you don't know how to do this. Split the post and insert a
small wedge of silver. Push the pearl onto it, driving the wedge into the
split and expanding it in the hole. This results in a "mechanical"
connection that was often used before the advent of modern glues. Of course,
a little epoxy helps too...]

Andrew Werby
www.unitedartworks.com



And for those unfamilier with this currently seldom done method (though it's
still useful every now and then), the easiest way to split the post is not to.
instead, make it from a folded over piece of half round wire. Then all you need
do is prevent the solder from flowing up into the split when you solder on the
post, which is done simply by spreading the "wings" of the post while soldering.
Close it up again before fitting the wedge and pearl. The pearl or bead or
whatever part needs to be precisly fitted to the post and wedge, regarding the
depth of the drill hole, so the wedge does get pushed into the post spreading
it. This takes care, since if the wedge is too small or the hole too deep, the
fit isn't so tight, and if the hole not quite deep enough or the wedge too big,
the assembly jams tight before the pearl is fully pressed down. And once you
assemble this, it cannot be taken apart again, so you don't get to trial fit it
(at least not with the wedge in place...) And it holds best if you use a drill
or bur to spread out the interior bottom end of the hole (undercut the hole on
the inside), so the peg has something to spread into (the hole is wider inside
than at the outside of the pearl). That way, once fitted, it cannot pull out.
Commonly, even in the old days, some sort of cement was also used, if only to
keep the pearl from being able to spin or wiggle a bit on the end of the post.
Even in the (very) old days, glues sufficient for this task were available.
All in all, though, this is fussy enough to do that I for one am quite grateful
for modern glues. They hold when you want em to, and can be disassembled too,
if you need to do so.

cheers

Peter