Frit-Happens !

Jewellery => Metal and wire => Topic started by: SilverGems89 on October 07, 2013, 05:14:14 PM

Title: working aluminium
Post by: SilverGems89 on October 07, 2013, 05:14:14 PM
Hi everyone, quick question! I bought some 2mm aluminium wire with the idea of making some brangles without the hellish cost of sterling, which is basically just going to get covered up anyway! Now my question is, can I hammer the aluminium with my nice shiny smooth chasing hammer, or is it going to leave marks and dings in the face?
Title: Re: working aluminium
Post by: mizgeorge on October 07, 2013, 05:29:09 PM
Aluminium is a very soft metal. You can hammer to your heart's content without hurting your tools. It's not as easy to get a good polish at the end as it is on sterling though.

Be careful when you manipulate the wire. It's not a particularly malleable metal, and will only take so much before it snaps.
Title: Re: working aluminium
Post by: SilverGems89 on October 07, 2013, 05:36:29 PM
Thanks G  ;D I wont be doing much to it except forming a loop at one end and a hook at the other :)
Title: Re: working aluminium
Post by: Glyn Burton on October 09, 2013, 06:11:48 PM
If the aluminium work hardens rub it with soap and gently heat until the soap turns black allow to cool and the metal will be soft again.