Sterling Silver vs Copper

pmace

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Nov 18, 2010
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Arizona City, AZ
I've never done anything on sterling silver but need to start. Done steel and copper. How does the hardness of sterling compare to copper? I really don't want to do too much "practice" on $20 pendant blanks so I was just wondering what to expect before I started cutting. Thanks.
 

sparklemotion

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Mar 2, 2017
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For practice, you might want to look into picking up some sterling sheet stock. At today's $16.56/oz price for silver, Rio Grande is selling three-inch wide strips of 24ga for $7.43/inch (so 3x1" = 7.43, 3x2"=14.86, etc.)


$7.43 for three 1 inch square practice plates seems much more reasonable.
 

johninok

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Jul 4, 2014
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agree, it cuts with a jewelers saw an engraves the same. only thing that cuts nicer is gold.
 

pmace

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Nov 18, 2010
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Arizona City, AZ
Thanks everyone. Now I know what to expect. I put a tad bit longer heel on my graver and turned down the pressure and stroke on my Lindsay classic. It helps a lot but you still have to pay attention or it will dig a hole in a heartbeat. Not nearly as forgiving as steel. Thanks again.
 

monk

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if there's a difference betwixt the two, it's not worth fussin over. both very easy to work.
 
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