Need help with platinum

Hi Everybody!

I need help working with platinum and palladium, I have never worked
with either metal and non of my vendors have it so if anyone has a
good place to get it I guess that’s where I should start first, I’m
looking for flat stock and just enough to make a small ring or
bracelet for now. I’m assuming I need platinum solder. Are there any
major differences in the handling and the work with platinum ???

I know platinum is going to be extremely expensive but does anyone
have any price ranged for palladium? I also need tips on working with
the palladium and vendors. Any on either metal will be
much appreciated.

Thanks
Michael

Hi Michael, Hoover and Strong is who I buy my platinum and occasional
palladium from. http://www.hooverandstrong.com you can also get them
from Precious Metals West and from DHFellinc.com I would ask any of
these suppliers for some basic info too about working with these
metals, best solders, etc. You can check metals prices probably at
thes sites too but if not I know you can get live metals prices at
http://www.kitco.com as far as working with the metals that’s a
bigger topic - you might want to search the archives for posts
regarding platinum as I know there have been many in the last couple
of years.

Michelle

creating what you want in platinum, gold and silver

Michael:

First invest in some blue soldering glasses then make sure you have a
hoy enough torch, I am not where you are so it’s hard to direct you
to suppliers but the yellow pages is a good place to start. Platinum
is a very heat intensive metal to work but it has wonderful thermal
properties which allow you to fuse it with out the structure
falling apart… good luck Ringman

   First invest in some blue soldering glasses then make sure you
have a hoy enough torch, I am not where you are so it's hard to
direct you to suppliers but the yellow pages is a good place to
start. Platinum is a very heat intensive metal to work but it has
wonderful thermal properties which allow you to  fuse it with out
the structure falling apart 

Ringman, Michael, and others…

DON’T use those cobalt blue glasses with platinum. they’ve been
around for years, yes. but a standard green welders lens is far
better protection. the problem is that the blue, though dark enough
to make it possible to see what you’re doing, do not provide good
protection from either infrared, or ultraviolet, both of which can be
present when working with platinum. They look nice, but the’re not
safe for any but very occasional use with platinum.

Peter Rowe