Does anyone know of a book or website that contains a good pin back or brooch back tutorial? I have searched on the web but only seem to be finding sewing tutorials or pmc tutorials to attach a pin. Specifically, I am working with enamel on copper discs and would like to bezel set the disc with a traditional soldered pin back. I have studied many pictures thinking it should be intuitive but it's not to me apparently.

I have even tried to join the Glass on Metal Magazine forum to ask someone there since alot of enamelist make brooches, but it always gives me the message "Sorry, but this board is currently unavailable" which leaves me thinking the forum is no longer functioning.

Any help would be appreciated!!

Tink

 You are right about Thompson Enamels "Glass on Metal" forum being non-functional. The latest issue of the magazine posted is from 2006. The site does have an e-mail address for questions.
info at glass-on-metal.com (do the usual thing to convert that to a real addr)

Are you looking for a ready made bezel setting with the pin parts soldered on to it? Or for instructions on how to construct the bezel and solder on a pin back? Most of my customers are buying pin backs and gluing or riveting them to the copper parts. Some soft solder the pin back on with Tix or Sta-Brite tin based solders.

Russ, thank you for the suggestions but I am really trying to fabricate the entire pin, including the pin back so cold connectioning or gluing a finding is not what I am after. I have included a link to the only pin back I could find on the net that resembles what I am trying to accomplish.

If you click on the picture of the back of the brooch to enlarge it you can see what I am trying to re-create. I can make the long pin & the curved end piece to latch the pin but I can not make the pin rotate on a stable base at the right side of the brooch. (I am totally mutilating this explanation)

Anyway, if anyone knows of a past issue of Art Jewelry that explains this technique or even a book that I can purchase that explains how to fabricate a pin back I would be grateful!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Large-Enamel-Brooch-with-Mexican-Arms-19-Cent-Silver_W0QQitemZ330199229200QQihZ014QQcategoryZ50671QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 Maybe one of the editors of the mag or a regular reader can tell you if there has been a tut on pin backs.

I do know all the major silversmithing supply houses carry pin catches, pin stems and pin hinges in nickel silver and some in sterling that you can torch solder on. The advantages are that the pin stem is sharp and the pin hinge works well. If you really want to make you own pin hinge using sterling tubing (chenier) here are some books that have instructions:

The Complete Metalsmith by Tim McCreight.
Jewelery concepts and Techniques by Oppi Untrach.
The Encyclopedia of Jewelry Making Techniques  by Jinks McGrath.
Indian Jewelry Making by OT Branson.
Hinges and Hinge-Based Catches for Jewelers and Goldsmiths by Charles Lewton-Brain.

Some of these books may be  available at your local library, book store or bead store.

Ganoksin Orchid forum has some articles that may help: http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/nenam/other-hinge.htm
http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/directory/library/subject/18/1

 In the September 2007 issue of Art Jewelry, there was an article called "Time to Show Off," which explained how to make a pin back using wire that's soldered to the back plate and shaped into a pin stem and catch. The May 2007 issue shows how to solder a purchased pin stem and catch to the back of a brooch in "Forged Leaf Brooch."

you can easily make a pin back by soldering on a short section of tubing near one end. At the other end solder on a small piece of metal then bend it to form a catch. Hammer a piece of wire til its hard, or twist it hard, insert it through the tube and bend it at an angle past the catch. Then the user bends it against the tension to bring it back and under the catch. If you need more instruction let me know and I'll draw you up some simple diagrams of two or three different ways of doing it. :)

I love receiving new reference material so thank you Russ for the list! My face is a bit pink since I already own Tim's book and sure enough there is a tutorial listed on page 252, a duh moment to be sure.

Katie thank you for the issue reference so I can attempt to track down a back issue locally. I will admit that I do not have a subscription to Art Jewelry since the postal delivery is hit or miss in my city with magazines. This particular magazine can only be found at Borders or Barnes and Noble, which I find odd since Bead Style in every Walgreens, Kroger, or LBS in town, is this based solely on demand?

Janice, thanks for the offer to help, I will pm you if I continue to struggle with the technique after this weekend.

Btw, I would love to have a tutorial on one of the items made at the fall retreat this year. Have you considered offering some tutorials on your website for purchase? I am referring to the silver toggle with the hammered rings that I think was made by Wendy, it's so cute!!!

Tink - we are getting some tutorials up on the Jewelry Artists Network website so keep checking in. Then on my own website I will also be offering some tutorials soon.

 I am not sure which toggle clasp you are referring to - I'll take a look and see, it may have been a purchased clasp. . .. but toggles are generally 'easy'.   (Tink, I can't find a toggle on anything done at the retreat- let me know if you run across one)

Janice, I am surely calling it by an incorrect name but it is listed on the retreat posting "Retreat Photos, first installment" posted on Oct 1, 10^th photo down under Wendy's name. The silver piece with the three rings I am calling a toggle is next to the turquoise pendant. I like it because I think the rings must move independently of each other.

oh oh - and you never said clasp - that was my insertion - sorry!

Its a bead she made!

Fairly straightforward - tubing, two disks on the ends - hammered rings placed on tubing then solder disks (with  holes in them) to the ends. The disks can go on flat or dapped so they are domed. One of the biggest issues is aligning it and holding it all just right durintg soldering. If you get a chance, pick up Pauline Wargs making metal beads book. :)