Its mentioned here now and again about using good technique so that
the next jeweler to work on your piece doesn’t have a conniption.
Well true for sure. But maybe its better to be using good technique
for its own sake.
Example, I’m thinking I might secure an omega clip by lasering the
axle ends instead of balling it up. Looks better, won’t catch hair,
and if it ever needs service I’ll just weld a new clip in place. But
I’m wondering if the piece ever gets in the hands of another jeweler,
for whatever reason he needs to replace the clip, he’s got a problem
if he doesn’t have a laser (since this piece has stones that are not
removable and not heat-sinkable)). I’m thinking I should do what’s
best for me and my client (as I see her best interest).
On the other hand I’d hate to see this piece butchered by someone
who ‘thought’ he could fix it. But is that my responsibility? Do I do
the best I can, or plan for someone else’s shortcomings?
On the other hand I'd hate to see this piece butchered by someone
who 'thought' he could fix it. But is that my responsibility? Do I
do the best I can, or plan for someone else's shortcomings?
Don’t make your jewelry in anticipation of it getting in the hands
of some butcher. If that happens, nothing you can do will fully
protect it. Instead, do the best job you know how, to make the best
jewelry you can. And advise your customers that if the work ever
needs repair, you’d be happy to do it right, and are in a position to
do a better job than some local hack while you wait repair shop…
Besides, in the case you describe, one could drill out the laser
welds to remove the old hinge wire, were it needed to replace the
clip. Only a little harder to do than if the wire ends are just
peened over in the first place. (balling them up isn’t a good way to
do it, since as you note, it make them catchy, even if the little
balls are decorative. Rivet them over and they can end up almost as
flush as if welded. Just takes longer, and is only “almost” as close.
And if you don’t have a laser, you can still weld them, if you’ve got
a small very hot torch flame. Ball up that rivet wire end right, and
the melting ball can be just barely fused to the omega clip body, the
same as you’d do with the laser. Takes a bit of practice, but works.
The clip itself is protected from the brief heat both by being a
physicall seperate piece of metal some slight distance away, and
because you can put a pair of cross lock tweezers across the omega
clip wire heat sinking it so it isn’t affected by the heat.
cheers
Peter
Neil,
my customers come to me not because I’m the cheapest in town but
because I’ll repair their piece as it needs to be. Should the piece
need another repair down the road by someone else is not my problem.
I don’t concern myself with someone else’s abilities or inabilities.
If the next guy can’t change the omepa clip without messing it up or
making the customer happy is his or her problem.
Just my 2 cents.
Hans Allwicher
http://www.hansallwicher.com
Go ahead and weld it. If it ever comes to me for repair later on I
will see nothing to show where the pin/axle is, just a flush surface.
Even if there is a lump or protrusion I will drill out the pin
regardless of whether it is soldered or welded. Another way is to
remove the whole clip and replace it, but as you say there are heat
sensitive stones nearby so the first option will most likely be the
way to go. When I fit a new pin I will rivet the ends because that’s
how I work!
Integrity of the product definately takes precedence over how other
repairers may treat the product. A repairer should be able to find
the best approach by 100% observation and deduction, and 0% by
assuming anything.
Cheers, Alastair