Jack Berry
berry2000@prodigy.net

Bill: What metal and gauge are you using? Are you using die forming? If you are making micropleats and cutting them on the diagonal I assume you are using thin (30-34 ga) metal. In my opinion these must be covered or effectively removed for jewelry to be worn. See the section “Edge Design Considerations” in my book (I recognize your name as a book owner). The collapsed edge technique (pp. 29-34), some call a “ruffled edge”, where an expanded shape collapses into the desired final shape does not require any cutting and the “sharp points” are not produced. A little “rounding” of the collapsed edge with fine sand paper gives a suitable finish. If you must cut the edge use a “framing plate” which covers the edge as discussed in the book. Another possibility, if you are die forming the piece, is to die form a framing wire into place simultaneously with the die forming of the piece. In the image below, I made a framing wire (soldered into a solid ring) which was slightly larger in diameter than the circle in the matrix die, placed it on the die (sitting concentric and just next to the cut edge of the die). This was held stationary with rubber cement. Then the microfold sheet was placed on top of the framing ring so the ring was sandwiched between the die and the microfold. When die formed, the framing ring simultaneously formed into the microfold,  creating a “nest” which makes it very easy to solder the frame into place. The “blue tape” is used to maintain the correct “mating position” so there is good contact all along the frame for soldering. After soldering, the edge can be cut away and finished right up to the frame leaving no sharp edges.  I hope this is helpful!!  …..Jack



On Wed Aug 28, Bill Hornaday wrote
----------------------------------
>I am a little worried about sharp edges on my micro-fold jewelry pieces, especially pieces cut on the diagonal.  Do you guys ignore the sharpness or do you soften it, and if so, how?  

>Your thoughts and/or advice?  Thanks in advance.

>Bill Hornaday

Two sides of Die Form With "Nested Frame"

[ This message was edited on Thu Aug 29 by the author ]