March 10, 2012 3:47 PM EST
TAB SETTING with Chris Hierholzer
TAB SETTING is an ancient technique that was used for setting stones, enamels, repoussé and fragile objects. It is used in our modern times with most of the products that we use in everyday life. This demo shows only one style of tab setting. It's use in jewelry is only limited by one's imagination. You can use as few or as many tabs as you like when making your setting.
Let's Begin
Start with 24 gauge sterling sheet and the enamel to be set -
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Make a paper layout of the tab design to be glued to the sheet prior to sawing.
I scribed directly on the silver sheet for this demo -
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A ruler and plastic circle template is used to draw the tabs and the outer perimeter of the tabs on the paper template -
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The paper pattern can be glued to the Sterling Sheet with white glue, super glue or contact cement -
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Saw the tabs with a 4/0 saw blade using a jewelers saw -
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A visual of tabs that have been cut with jewelers saw -
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Cutting of the tabs is now complete -
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Files used to deburr and facet the tabs-
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320 wet/dry sand paper is used in preparation for soldering the finding on the back for the chain -
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A steel forming block is used for making the finding for the chain -
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Preparing to solder finding with silver solder
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Use Liver of Sulphur to enhance the textures created by the metal files -
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Tabs completed -
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The silver was polished by burnishing with an agate stone mounted on a stick -
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Agate burnisher
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Bend the tabs over the enamel using a thick piece of wood or plastic so that the enamel is not scratched during setting -
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Finish setting using one half of a wooden clothes pin to push the tabs over the enamel -
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The Finished Product
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TAB SETTING with Chris Hierholzer
TAB SETTING is an ancient technique that was used for setting stones, enamels, repoussé and fragile objects. It is used in our modern times with most of the products that we use in everyday life. This demo shows only one style of tab setting. It's use in jewelry is only limited by one's imagination. You can use as few or as many tabs as you like when making your setting.
Let's Begin
Start with 24 gauge sterling sheet and the enamel to be set -
----------
Make a paper layout of the tab design to be glued to the sheet prior to sawing.
I scribed directly on the silver sheet for this demo -
----------
A ruler and plastic circle template is used to draw the tabs and the outer perimeter of the tabs on the paper template -
----------
The paper pattern can be glued to the Sterling Sheet with white glue, super glue or contact cement -
----------
----------
Saw the tabs with a 4/0 saw blade using a jewelers saw -
----------
----------
A visual of tabs that have been cut with jewelers saw -
----------
----------
Cutting of the tabs is now complete -
----------
Files used to deburr and facet the tabs-
----------
320 wet/dry sand paper is used in preparation for soldering the finding on the back for the chain -
----------
----------
----------
----------
A steel forming block is used for making the finding for the chain -
----------
----------
Preparing to solder finding with silver solder
----------
Use Liver of Sulphur to enhance the textures created by the metal files -
----------
Tabs completed -
----------
The silver was polished by burnishing with an agate stone mounted on a stick -
----------
Agate burnisher
-----------
Bend the tabs over the enamel using a thick piece of wood or plastic so that the enamel is not scratched during setting -
----------
----------
----------
Finish setting using one half of a wooden clothes pin to push the tabs over the enamel -
----------
----------
----------
----------
The Finished Product
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Start with 24 gauge sterling sheet and the enamel to be set -
