Hi Folks,
Does anyone out there have a used Sparkie II (in good shape,
reasonably complete) they would be interested in selling?
Dave
Dave Sebaste
Sebaste Studio
Charlotte, NC (USA)
dave@sebaste.com
http://www.sebaste.com
Does anyone out there have a used Sparkie II (in good shape, reasonably complete) they would be interested in selling?
Hi Dave, I’m curious, what exactly does a SPARKIE do??? I’ve
heard that some use it to spot weld findings, but I have not
heard how large the pieces are that these findings are welded to
. . . after many months (at the beginning) of having difficulty
soldering findings and finding that they fall off, I am not sure
whether I would trust such a thing.
A sparkie fusion welder is great for puting posts on
stone set rings without removing heat sensitive stones,
or putting findings on epoxy enameled pieces, two jobs
that our “Mr Sparkie” (the only tool in our shop with a
nickname) has done recently. We have the accessory power
pack which helps alot. Sterling findings onto sterling
are tricky, other things like titanium posts onto niobium
are impossible any other way. A really great production
tool.
Rick
Richard D. Hamilton
Fabricated 14k, 18k, and platinum Jewelry
wax carving, modelmaking, jewelry photography
You are correct, sir! A Sparkie is a fusion welder used to
attach findings without soldering. You have to use special
findings that have a little “nib” on them that actually melts
and fuses the two pieces together. I was somewhat skeptical at
first, but had the opportunity to use one at the community
college a couple years ago. I was probably the only person to
have ever used it!
The area where the finding it to be attached has to be pretty
flat. The only pieces that had any trouble were the pieces I
did that didn’t conform to this rule. Even some did pretty well
that weren’t flat but I was able to get a good conductive
contact on.
It can (does) leave a little bit of a burn mark in the immediate
area of the weld, but that is relatively easily cleaned…
especially compared to boric acid, flux, solder, pickle, buff,
polish, etc. For the right situation, it would be a real
time/money saver… especially in a production environment.
The Sparkie II (has more collets and features than the original)
runs over $1000, so I’m looking for a used one. I’m not
currently in a production environment, and it would take lot
longer for it to pay for itself. I am considering buying one
new if I can’t locate a used machine. Probably get it from Bill
Seeley at Reactive Metals (a plug, but I have no association…
just like to see the little guys win sometimes). 
Dave
Dave Sebaste
Sebaste Studio
Charlotte, NC (USA)
dave@sebaste.com
http://www.sebaste.com
Rick,
Thanks for the description… Sounds like a great tool … But,
can it operate in very small places like a findin head with
10/15 , 3mm stones??? Please define its ability… and cost…
Thanks,
Jim
Thanks for the description… Sounds like a great tool … But,
can it operate in very small places like a findin head with
10/15 , 3mm stones??? Please define its ability… and cost…
The Sparkie II unit is about $1000. Anything that you are fusing
a finding to has to have enough surface area for the finding- a
post requires about 3mm or so, and you need a good connection to
the ground on the machine. It is a godsend for putting posts on
earrings that are already set with a cluster of heat sensitive
stones. Titanium posts are available and cost pennies each- I’ve
done post replacements for women who couldn’t wear gold earrings
because of metal allergies. Works great.
Rick
Richard D. Hamilton
Fabricated 14k, 18k, and platinum Jewelry
wax carving, modelmaking, jewelry photography