Removal of engravings
Welding silver is difficult due to its physical properties, regardless of the welding equipment used.
The material’s high thermal conductivity in particular causes problems, as the welding energy is dissipated quickly and small welding spots are created with little depth effect.
With PUK welding technology, it is possible to work with welding wires of the same alloy in many situations .
1st challenge
Old engravings can severely impair the appearance or value of an object.
Silversmith Jeffrey Herman from West Warwick /USA has such a case here.
2. removal of dirt and sulphides
Use a hard brush and a scouring agent to remove the impurities from the recesses, as these could otherwise negatively affect the welding and, above all, promote the formation of pores.
3. application of the material
As the material is silver, the electrode is placed at a steep angle next to the base plate of the mechanism.
In this way, the arc presses the material from the mechanism onto the substrate.
4. the filled engraving
The applied material isleveled in a second work step without adding any more material and any imperfections are sealed
5.1 Compacting
For large workpieces with flat surfaces, it is advisable to lightly level the applied material on the
anvil.
This saves time when sanding and closes occasional pores.
Filling engravings on large surfaces may require subsequent soft annealing.
The reason for this is that the filled material may have a different degree of reflection than the rest of the surface.
This results in a kind of “ghost” of the original engraving remaining visible.
5.2 Compacting
For small workpieces, however, the use of riveting and upsetting wheels is advantageous.
However, these should not be too abrasive and should therefore be rounded off if necessary.
6. grinding
The excess material is removed and the workpiece is sanded to the desired grain size as usual.
7. polish
As the material used is the same alloy, it can also be polished to a high gloss with soft polish carriers without any problems.
8. result
The former engraving has disappeared.
Neither a difference in color between the materials nor dents reveal to the observer the work that has been carried out.
