posted 01-05-2007 06:29 PM            

I would like to put out a question to all the readers in hope of getting some help.

At ONC we have a possible order that will require 1/2 inch thick silver. We've made these items before, but the company that supplied us the silver is no longer in business. Our present supplier, Stern-Leach, can not supply sterling as thick as 1/2 inch.

Does any reader know of a possible other supplier of sterling that may be able to supply such thick silver?

We do hope that someone can help with this inquiry.

Thank you all, in advance.

posted 01-05-2007 10:47 PM            

Have you done an internet search for you specific item suppliers.......(sterling silver sheets 1/2 inch thick)....I have found several but not sure if it is what you want since that is not my level of expertise.....not that anything is, but I try.

Bon Chance!
Jersey

posted 01-07-2007 11:40 AM            

I will look into the Jewelers Building idea, though the quantity we will need may not be available there.

The internet - I will check right away.

Wish me luck.

posted 01-07-2007 07:11 PM            

You could always pour your own ingot depending on the size of the sheet required.

What dimensions do you need for your project?

posted 01-08-2007 06:34 PM            

I suspect you are not going to find a supplier of 1/2" thick sheet. 4/0 gauge is .46" thick and I do not know of anyone who supplies it. You might want to contact Hoover & Strong and make a request for the specific gauge you need. If not casting the sheet may be what you will have to do.

posted 01-09-2007 05:39 PM            

The thickness of 1/2 inch is needed to create the bolster of the handle of necessary bulk. The handle calls for a piece .500 x .750 x 2.500. The entire handle is then forged down in thickness, just after the bolster, and lengthened to approximately five inches.

I doubt that we could pour out our own ingots for we have no crucibles for melting silver of any quantity, never mind the amount needed for ingots of that size.

I've dealt with Hoover and Strong and I believe the thickest that they offer is .128.

I have made contact with a gentleman from a subsidiary of Handy and Harman, and he is doing some inquiry for me. I don't hold out much hope of him finding anything so maybe we would have to go to Europe for what we need.

I'll let you know what I find out.

And, the again, this is not a confirmed order so all this hunting could be for naught.

posted 01-10-2007 08:39 AM            

Reading between the lines this sounds like jewelry and industrial brazing supplier but they do mention:

Product forms include:-

• Wire, strip, foil and rod.
  
• Gauze - 0.35wire diameter,64 mesh.
  
• EC Powder - 120,200,300 mesh.
  
• Atomized Powder and grain.
  
• Tubes, preformed shapes and fabricated products.

posted 01-10-2007 10:36 AM            

This is going to be a snap! We are only talking about 1 cubic inch of silver or 5.5 oz in weight. I know I can make an ingot mold from soapstone that will give us a clean pour and I can melt that much silver in my crucible. I will try it for you if you wish.

I would suggest making it a tad bigger so we can compensate for shrinkage in the mold and will need extra for the button at the top of the pour.

Fred

posted 01-11-2007 01:41 AM            

I have purchased JM silver bars in the past. They are a very big company, I figured they could throw something together like Middletom needs with no problem, but I am only guessing on that...

posted 01-14-2007 07:44 PM            

I buy 1/4" thick blancs from J. Blundells & Sons in Hatton Garden, London. Recently they have only wanted to give it to me in Britannia, but this works because I am making 15" spoons and it takes a bit of the hard work out of the job.

I am pretty sure they would make up something for you, they are always quite fast and have no minimum.

Happy new year

posted 01-24-2007 08:23 PM            

Soldering together two or more pieces is a possibility, but only as a last resort, for I don't know how the solder seams would hold up under the forging. I'm talking about forging a piece that is 2 3/4 inches long, leaving the first quarter of the length to be the bolster adjoining the blade, and stretching the rest out to make a 5 inch long handle. How the solder seams would perform, I don't know.

I spoke today with the designer who is commissioning this work, and he has said that if we can not find a source, he will speak with a friend of his in New York who has a small foundry and does a great deal of jewelry casting. He feels that gentleman will be able to pour ingots for us. Thus, it appears we'll get this done, one way or another.

I was thinking of having a local brass foundry do it, but he told me today that his furnace would require 65 pounds of metal and he would have to purchase a new melting flask to avoid contamination of the silver.

I'll let you all know what the final outcome is.

posted 02-11-2007 12:04 PM            

Our contact through a Handy and Harman subsidiary turned up a company in Connecticut called Academy Corp., and they are willing to roll the thickness we need. Apparently they do a great number of metals and different versions of silver and are quite accommodating.

Also, a jeweler supplier, a friend of the designer of the flatware in question, has said he can also roll the thickness we need, so there are now two sources in this country, and the final decision as tho how to proceed will be made soon.

Thank you all for your help and suggestions.

You are a fine group.