Joining
Joining is combining units through several processes both hot and cold. Two of those processes are soldering and riveting. Soldering is a hot process that joins two metals together with the use of an alloy that flows at a temperature lower than that of the metals being joined. (Alloy: a metal composed of a combination of two or more metals.) Riveting is a cold process consisting of a metal pin that is used to hold 2 or more pieces of metal together. A rivet consists of a head at one end, a shank which passes through the holes made in the parts being joined, and a second head on the opposite side. Other cold connections include tabs, screws, nuts, and bolts.
Torch
All torches combine gas and air to produce a workable flame to heat metal. Oxygen combined with acetylene creates one of the hottest flames and is used for melting metals for casting and welding steel. Natural gas and compressed air create a lower heat flame for soldering and annealing metals, such as silver and gold.
Hand Tools
Hand tools are tools that run on human power. Some of the many hand tools used in our studio are files that shape and clean metal, jewelers saws that cut metal, measuring devices such as micrometers, cutting tools such as snips and pliers.