Melt Sterling Silver Scrap into Sheet Metal | DIY Metalsmithing Tips

In this video, I’ll show you how to melt down sterling silver scrap and turn it into sheet metal, perfect for your next jewelry-making project!

If you have leftover silver from past projects, don’t just let it sit—repurpose it!

We’ll start by glazing our crucible with borax to ensure everything flows smoothly. I didn’t film the glazing process here but that is where the magic starts. Get your crucible set up in the tongs and start heating it. Once it’s nice and hot, sprinkle in some borax applying a light layer all over the inside including the lip where the silver is poured out. Continue to heat the crucible and borax (it will puff up like a big marshmallow but don’t worry, it will quickly calm and start to melt). Once it’s all melted, it will have the consistency of molasses or honey. As long as the inside is completely covered, all should go swimmingly. I will make a video showing this process as soon as my new crucibles come in.

Then, I’ll guide you through the process of heating up your scrap silver, melting it down, and pouring it into a mold. I personally love using a graphite mold because of its ease, but you can also opt for a traditional ingot mold if that’s what you have on hand. If you do opt for a traditional ingot mold, make sure you add some oil to the inside before you start and be sure to heat it very well before you pour the silver. When I started, I used WD-40 but quickly learned that isn’t the best. Now if I use the traditional ingot mold, I use peanut oil and it actually smells delicious.😊

Whether you’re new to metalsmithing or looking to refine your skills, I’ll also share a few tips to make this process as smooth as possible, from controlling your flame to ensuring an even melt. Don’t forget to subscribe for more jewelry-making tutorials and tips!

Tools and Materials Used:

• Torch: https://amzn.to/4grQVLR
• Graphite Molds: https://amzn.to/3TtT6V9
https://amzn.to/3MQQqNK
• Reversible Ingot Mold: https://amzn.to/3TzJDf0
• Crucibles: https://amzn.to/3BbKCfm
• Borax (for glazing crucibles): https://amzn.to/3XQrWux
• Rolling Mill: https://amzn.to/4d7vKvz
• Fire Bricks (for your melting setup): https://amzn.to/3BaBHuw
• Little Hottie Torch for Annealing: https://pepetools.com/products/little...
• Graphite stirring rod (there are some less expensive options out there but I think its best to have something like this that is at least half an inch in diameter so you can keep those fingers safe😊): https://amzn.to/3TDfM5x

melt silver scrap, diy metalsmithing, jewelry making, sterling silver, silversmithing, jewellery making, rolling mill, jewelry making for beginners, jewelry making tutorials, metalsmithing, silversmith, jewelry tutorial