Pulse arc and fusion welding

Jewelry Discussion
1

Hello Jewelers and Newbies,

Since I started quite a firestorm about Pulse Arc and Fusion Welding
and its place in the jewelry industry I have recieved an overwelming
amount of support and interest in this new technology.

Have been contacted by some jewelry schools to major players and
companies in the jewelry industry to provide more info and training.
We even got invited to other forums to help spread the news. The
latest one is Benchjeweler by Stuller under the catagory of Pulse
Arc. I personally invite everyone to check this out. We know and
believe in this technology are tryingto help others by getting the
word out and trying to create avenues for and training
for the ground floor User. As far as the skeptics and haters go
someday you will see. When Billy Gates was in his famous garage and
said someday most people will have a PC in their house and use it
everyday and they shall be connected to work with each other. I
believe this is called the Internet for you doubters because I
believe this will revolutionize the jewelry industry. Terry R.
Reichert - Pro Ice Jewelers.

2

I gratefully support the Orchidians who have invented great tools for
us, that have revolutionized the various ways we make jewelry.

Thank you, Knew Concepts, and Green Lion, to name my latest
purchases.

And thanks to all inventors, who sell to us without alienating an
entire potential customer base by generally calling us names and
acting ridiculously self important.

Michelle Bernard

3

Hello Terry,

I wish you good luck with the Orion pulse welder and I think that
the Orchid list is serving its purpose when it alerts people to new
technology which they can use in their work, saving time and money
and advancing their craft to a new level.

That said, I take exception to your labeling of folks who are not
24K adherents of your welder as “haters” and “doubters”. From what I
can see, the Orion 150i costs over $7K. If you are in a volume shop,
you might find a savings in time and an increase in efficiency. But
there are some who will be interested in the competing PUK welder,
the current model of which I see available for a little under $6K.
There are some individual and small shop people who will never do
enough volume to justify the purchase or either of these machines.
Their choice will be to use other methods or farm out relevant
repairs to someone with one of the pulse arc or PUK welders. I think
they should be allowed to say this is their choice without being
labeled as haters and doubters who, you imply, don’t know much and
are hopelessly reactionary.

When people here are not 100% in favor of every jeweler in the world
rushing out to buy an Orion welder, you do not need to label all of
them as haters and doubters. Some may actually be making a rational
decision based on their circumstances or their reading of what works
best, personal experience, info from friends, etc.

Also, I notice that you have not contributed to other subjects here
on Orchid and have only used it as a place to advertise the Orion
Welder and your SHG Gemgard accessory for it. You can certainly use
the Orchid forum for this purpose, but forgive others if they are
skeptical or cautious when they do not know you as a contributor to
other threads or methods. They wonder about your motives and
objectivity. I don’t think it is good form to characterize them (or
myself) as “haters and doubters.” Nor is it playing nice in the
sandbox to pop up one day and immediately start casting aspersions on
the competing product (PUK welder, which does enjoy some sales)
rather than just diplomatically talking about your machines strong
points. I don’t think such will make you popular.

The Knew Concept saw people have had a lot of exposure recently
without once mentioning their competitors. Thanks, Knew Concept, for
keeping it positive!

It could be that the pulse welder will take over jewelry fabrication
and repair in the near future and perhaps then they’ll be no
soldering and maybe even no forging or casting. but before people
decide this will happen, I have a time value of money calculation I
want to teach the small operators and individual craftsmen/women. I
also note that there are pulse jewelry welders on ebay for under $300
and I want to hear about them from folks who use them…

Again, best of luck with the Orion welder and the Gemgard. If I had
more business instead of being a tyro silverworker, I’d certainly
consider one tomorrow. I hope that if I choose a different route, it
can just be considered “different strokes for different folks.”

4

I followed the discussion with great interest. I want to know about
both types of machines. In fact in about 6 weeks I will be driving
past Stullers on my way out west. I was thinking of stopping to see
if I could see them in person. BUT

When you start labeling and set up an adversarial post of us verses
them I step back and wonder if I even want to find out more.

As far as the skeptics and haters go someday you will see. When
Billy Gates was in his famous garage and said someday most people
will have a PC in their house and use it everyday and they shall be
connected to work with each other. I believe this is called the
Internet for you doubters because I believe this will revolutionize
the jewelry industry.

That statement at the end of your post bothers me. I donot like
labels of being a hater or skeptic. Or the attitude of being talked
down too. Call it the mother in me. Be nice. Yes talk up your
machine, but don’t put us down. Theold addage of sugar will capture
more flies than vinegar really does apply to this group.

5

Roy, I was typing away my response to Terry when I took a break to
read yours. Well said! And Terry, your posts just really seem to be
advertisements…

Andy

6 
That statement at the end of your post bothers me. I donot like
labels of being a hater or skeptic. Or the attitude of being
talked down too. Call it the mother in me. Be nice. Yes talk up
your machine, but don't put us down. Theold addage of sugar will
capture more flies than vinegar really does apply to this group.

A few more days to go and I get to play with an Orion, and I’ll get
to compare it honestly with a PUK. Both machines are in store for
sale so there’s no bias placed upon me to sell one machine over the
other. I am also in a different country to most members on the list,
so I definitely wont try to sell you anything.

I will tell it like it is, when I have had some experience with the
Orion, I will let you know.

Kindest regards Charles A.

7

Agnes- Be sure to stop at Stuller. Call ahead and ask for a tour. We
did and it was big fun. Be prepared to remove all of your jewelry
before going in.

Also Lafayette has some GREAT food.

-Jo Haemer

8 
As far as the skeptics and haters go someday you will see.

Sorry that you see the need to belittle other jewelers because they
did notinstantly jump on your band wagon. I for one am certainly
interested in exploring the potential of any new tool of technique
that appears to have thepotential to improve my product.

I love the combination of techniques available to me that having
both torches and the laser in my shop provide, but am more than
willing to explore new tools.

Possibly too ready sometimes! My current employer is amazed at the
selection of tools and techniques I can draw from I am sorry that you
see the need to belittle other jewelers because they did not
instantly jump on your band wagon. I for one am interested in
exploring any new tool or technique that I feel has the potential to
improve my work. This is why I invested in the laser a long time
ago. I love the combination of techniques and selection of options
available to me that having both torches and the laser give me.

I will definitely look for an opportunity to explore the pulse arc
welding machine and techniques for myself.

Our profession is one that has grown and evolved, often quite slowly
and deliberately, but it has evolved, and will continue to do so.
Just because someone else chooses to use a more traditional tool or
technique than you, or does not instantly accept your announcement
that you have discovered the Holy Grail of tools, does not make them
a hater.

If your tool or technique is as revolutionary and important as you
predict, it will be demonstrated by action, not forced down other
jeweler’s throats by belittling statements.

9

Special thanks to Michelle, Roy, and Agnes for your words. I
personally agree with your comments and summaries.

I also want to thank Terry for his enthusiasm towards Orion Welders.
He’s a big Orion fan and user, and continues to accomplish difficult
repairs every day with his machine.

I want to state once again that here at Orion, we want everyone to
feel comfortable, welcomed, and invited to contact us with any
question they have. We are micro welding experts. If you have a
question about what welding technology is best for you, call us and
let us explore it with you.

We offer and sell pulse arc, resistance, and laser welders, so we
know the pros/cons of each technology, and our goal is always to
recommend the best solution for you. Our pulse arc welders start at
$3,700 and our lasers start at $18,500.

Roy stated it best at the end of his post:

"different strokes for different folks."

If torch suits you best, use your torch. If laser best meets your
needs, then get a laser. If outsourcing is the best financial and
business decision, then pursue that. No pressure here. We focus on
providing and education to our customers. And when it
comes to making recommendations, we only do that once we’ve gathered
all the we can so that our opinion and suggestions are
based on the customer’s best interest, not ours. We want to partner
with you and grow together.

Long-term relationships are what we’re after.

So please don’t feel alienated, judged, labeled, and/or belittled.
That is not who we are at Orion Welders. To those who have felt this
way, if there is anything we can do to help or welcome you back,
please let us know.

Thanks for your time.

Dave Holloway
Orion Welders

10

Terry, if you really want Orion to succeed you may want to think
about being more careful with the wording on your posts.

If I were Sunstone, I would not want posts such as you have been
writing associated with my company.

And “Billy” Gates? Seriously?

11 
I want to state once again that here at Orion, we want everyone to
feel comfortable, welcomed, and invited to contact us with any
question they have. We are micro welding experts. If you have a
question about what welding technology is best for you, call us
and let us explore it with you.

Another ad…

12

I can personally say my experience with the Orion/Sunstone
organization has been completely positive. I attended their workshop
at Stuller and there was NO pressure. They explained the benefits of
all the types of welders PUK style, arc welders, and laser without a
single negative. It was simply “this technology is best for this and
that technology is best for that”. The customer service I have
received when I had questions has been knowledgeable, encouraging,
and patient.

I get no benefit from this, I’m just contributing my experience.
This week, thanks to this technology, I was able to repair a
decorative gallery on a ring that a previous jeweler had melted. I
didn’t have to disassemble the piece to make repairs to this thin
metal, I was able to repair it in place in a short amount of time.

I will try to post the before and after pics.

2432Ă—4320 1.57 MB

2432Ă—4320 913 KB

Donna W
Huntsville, AL

13

If I offended anyone personally it was not intentional because I am
only interested in promoting an exciting and new technology for the
Jewelry Industry and if there is a preference between Orion or Puk
that is your choice. I am only pointing at advantages of this new
technology and hope everyone has the opportunity to explore this. As
far as skeptics, doubters, and haters that would only be less than 1
percent of the jeweler population andI really can’t believe you
could be one of those type people so please don’t feel like you
should be offended if you do not agree with what I say because I can
accept that. As far as advertising goes I would call it
sharingand yes the Orion People are great and they to
are entitled totheir opinions. Love You all! Terry

14

I am sorry to read the choice of words dissing people who are not
pro the Orion Welder. I am also disappointed with being bombarded
about the wonderfulness of the PUK welders vs. the Orion welders.
Having tried both, I have a favored choice, but I am not going to
cram it down anyone’s throat. The real issue here is that there is
now a technology that will do repairs and fabricate jewelry without
the expense of purchasing a laser. That technology allows the
average craft jeweler and the mom and pop jewelry store to do
certain things more efficiently than worrying about the heat of a
torch affecting a stone. Yes, the technology is still on the
expensive side, but the savings in the long term are certainly worth
considering an investment in EITHER welder.

So let’s take the high road here. The possibilities with either
welder are enormous. I am as enthusiastic about my choice of welder
as either Terry Reichert OR Jeffrey Herman, but I am an educator as
well as a fine craft jeweler. My opinion on this matter is to take
all this “enthusiasm” with a grain of salt, explore what both
welders can do, and find what works best for each individual. Please
get over the poor choice of words that were said and get back to
work.

We are giving workshops on the pulse arc and fusion technology at
our little school in NC as well as a SNAG sponsored workshop in
September. I cordially invite everyone to come and learn about the
potential of this new technology available and make your own
decisions. Maybe $6000 or $7000 is still more than you want to
invest. That’s OK, at least you get to try it out. Our workshop fees
in September are being donated to both SNAG AND the Southern
Highland Craft Guild, who is hosting the workshop in Asheville, NC.
We are not keeping one penny from the workshop after the expenses of
running the workshop are paid! We will have various models of the
Orion welders available to play on and challenge all you PUK lovers
to bring your welders down and let’s see what’s what. LOL, perhaps we
can have a bench Weld-Off here instead of the famous Bench Challenge
that just took place recently. The mom in me says, “Get over all the
side taking and just explore the possibilities!” Well???

Ruthie Cohen

15 
Another ad...

Doesn’t sound like an ad to me. Sounds like a company trying to get
ahead of what some, including me, have seen as inappropriate posts
involving their name and product.

It was the smart thing to do…

16

Hi Terry,

As far as skeptics, doubters, and haters that would only be less
than 1 percent of the jeweler population...

You should have come to the realisation that sometimes what you
write over the net can be taken the wrong way. Intent is sometimes
difficult to deliver, especially if you use provocative words.

This list isn’t at all about selling tools or service. It’s about
sharing

It may be about asking where to find a service, what you think about
a tool or where to buy gems etc. etc. etc.

If this lit was about selling, I wouldn’t participate.

Kindest regards Charles A.

17 
I am only interested in promoting

I think that’s the problem.

Al Balmer

18

I find this discussion very upsetting, I think people are jumping on
the bandwagon against Orion just to do so. I think the above
statement from Orion is what it says, call us for info. Yes it
advertises them but so do all the other comments from other vendors
on this list. I don’t see anyone going after the saw guy or the
people who teach. Maybe we should stop anyone that sells something
from being able to post. See where that gets ya.

Bill Wismar

19

I think that Dave at Orion was doing a little damage control, which
is fine with me; and Terry at Pro Ice doesn’t understand what Orchid
is about.

I just delete anyone who has proven to be a waste of my time.

Thanks, Hanuman, for the clear reminder about commercial posts on
Orchid.

Michelle Bernard

20

I bought a PUK4 last year. I do not use it very much. My biggest want
was for fixing porosity and attaching earring posts. I buy a lot of
jewelry from manufacturers, and too often, there are pieces with
porosity. It requires me FedEx’ing the bad pieces back. Sometimes
they say I’m too fussy. My nickname I am told is Mr Picky. Well a
FedEx charge to return and then get the new piece adds up. (no, not
all manufacturers will pick up shipping on their mistake.) The PUK
allows me to fix the porosity in seconds. Just last week I had five
anchors come in with Neptune’s tridents.

Well, one of the tridents was missing a section. Most likely a
bubble in the wax. With Terry Reichart’s help, I built up the void
with pure 14kt laser wire, wheeled it and you cannot tell it from
another. No solder. I figure I saved myself $40-50 right there in
shipping. I had a hundred pairs of a special earring cast in platinum
and palladium white gold. It was $11 each for labor to have the posts
soldered on. With the post attachment to the pulse arc it’s maybe 15
minutes. I’m sure it’s what they used too. $11 x 200 (100 pair) adds
up and pays for itself pretty quickly. (I’m not selling, simply
sharing)

I have spoken with Jeff Herman (Pukmeister) and Terry Reichert on
their dime (they telephoned after my email) and was freely given
their valuable experience. Terry explained how I could size a ring by
building up the layers, starting out with low power and then
increasing. When I first got my PUK Jeff spent a lot of time on the
phone explaining settings and how to do things. He told me to call
anytime. Damn, in the middle of this cold winter at 9:30 PM I’d have
rather been sitting by the wood stove with a beer and not explaining
how to use a tool to someone I never heard of! Not Jeff.

Terry is excited about the new technology. He’s the same way on the
phone! He believes in it and is just sharing. He’s not trying to sell
anything.

His enthusiasm just sounds that way. I had 25 years of professional
sales before stumbling onto jewelry. If you want sales, get an old
book or audio course that explains sales skills and closes. How to
sell to different races, colors, religions, first-borns, last-born,
middle child, neurolinguistics, male or female, gay or straight,
north or south, east coast or west coast, PhD or MBA, engineer or
doctor, negative reverse or assumption,. Go to a mall jewelry store
or women’s clothing store and meet a person working on 30% commission
and see sales in action. Be careful though!

For one having trouble selling at shows, consider it as a game. Each
customer that stops by your booth, a sale is going to be made. The
customer will sell you on them not needing your item, or you will
sell them on wanting it. No one needs jewelry. It’s not a features
and benefits choice, it’s pure emotion. How does it make them feel
wearing it? What memory does it rekindle? What emotional hot button
does it trigger? What will people think when they see them wearing
it?

For one that may be offended at my comment of there are ways to sell
to different folks, some of the people in one of my sales courses
were doctors, dentists, ministers, lawyers and other professions one
would not expect to be sold. There is an art to selling you an $800
physical when you feel healthy or giving 10% tithe when you are
scraping by. One of the best instructors was a Jewish man that taught
us the Oy vey shrug. He introduced me to bagels with two inches of
cream cheese as we became close friends!

J
Charlie

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