12 Hour Classes
INSTRUCTOR:
Pete Acquisto, Fellow
COURSE:
Silversmithing and Machine Work
PROJECT:
Punch Strainer, Circa 1740
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This should be a great class with a very cool piece to take home. Students will use a dividing head on the mill to accomplish with ease a very complex pattern of holes in the strainer. The pattern will be simplified from the photo, but it will be very impressive. The dividing head makes it easy to create a perfect pattern with a minimum of measuring. Students will use a jeweler’s saw to cut the handles to shape. They will learn how to use a flex shaft machine to refine the shape of the handles. Hand files will also be used to refine the handles. Basic soldering will be taught by practicing with scrap silver before soldering the handles to the strainer bowl. The last step will be to polish the piece using the flex shaft with polishing wheels and then the buffing machine for the final polish. Students will be amazed at what they can do.
TIME:
12 hours. This class will be fun and informative. Students will have time to finish the piece in the time allotted and walk away with a nice punch strainer. There will also be plenty of silver available for those who finish early and want to make something else or just practice skills.
POWER TOOLS:
flex shaft, mill, lathe, buffing machine
SKILL LEVEL:
Beginner and intermediate. This class is designed for the person with no experience and who wants to learn to operate the equipment necessary in silversmithing. However, more intermediate students who have had silversmith or machine experience will find this class to be a perfect opportunity to learn new ways of working with silver while refining and perfecting existing skills.
MATERIALS FEE:
$80
(this class is full)