21:15 - 2005-11-12
FSOJ Week 8: The Un-Hinged Hinged Bracelet
FSOJ Week 8: The Un-Hinged Hinged Bracelet
Tried a two part hinge
The result fatally flawed
Should have known better!
I finally managed to complete the project I mentioned in Weeks 4 and 6 - a hinged bracelet in the warp & weft pattern.
I needed my torch to make the hinges work. I inserted a small piece of wire through the loops and then balled them up. I love my Little Torch!
But then... D'OH!!!
I only realized after I had assembled the bracelet that two part hinges are by design unstable.
Here's a closeup of the hinge:
It's a fatal flaw that I didn't anticipate, so I've stopped working on the bracelet. It's finished construction, but I'm not going to polish it.
Figuring out a clasp was fun. I didn't want it to be obvious, because that would have thrown off the whole look of the bracelet. So... I flipped through my copy of "The Complete Metalsmith" and found the section on hinge closures. Bingo!
Here's a closeup:
And finally, here's a closeup of the clasp and one of the hinges, lying flat:
The arrow on the right points to the flaw - the hinge has too much space and the two links end up separating. I have no idea why I didn't think of this when I was designing the piece. With a three-part hinge this is not an issue.
I used my bracelet mandrel to slight round the individual links, so that the bracelet lies properly on the arm.
I'm disappointed that it didn't work out the way I envisioned it, but this project was a terrific learning experience. I am going to try again, only next time I'll make three-part hinges. It means that the bracelet will be wider.
I promised the gang on CWJ some photos of Thumper and Tigger:
And one of their Mommy:
I can't resist the chance to make my kids laugh :-)
