Introduction: Phillips Head Stud Earrings
Being that this was my first ever soldering project, I found that these earrings were surprisingly easy to make.
I went to the plumbing section at Walmart. I picked up this soldering torch for $15. In the same isle they sell lead free silver solder. The solder I bought was $10 and also came with a container of flux, an application brush, and a piece of sand paper. So total damage: $25. These earrings will only use a small fraction of that but you’ll get to use it for all kinds of other projects.
Basically I understand it this way. Solder is a low melting alloy. Flux is a paste that helps solder stick to metal. A torch can heat metal hot enough to the point it will melt the solder. So fire makes heat, flux helps the bond, and solder is the bond.
So this is what I did.
I went to the plumbing section at Walmart. I picked up this soldering torch for $15. In the same isle they sell lead free silver solder. The solder I bought was $10 and also came with a container of flux, an application brush, and a piece of sand paper. So total damage: $25. These earrings will only use a small fraction of that but you’ll get to use it for all kinds of other projects.
Basically I understand it this way. Solder is a low melting alloy. Flux is a paste that helps solder stick to metal. A torch can heat metal hot enough to the point it will melt the solder. So fire makes heat, flux helps the bond, and solder is the bond.
So this is what I did.
Step 1: Cut Off the Threads
Find a couple Phillips head screws. Use pliers to cut the threads off as close as you can to the head.
Place the screw head on a Phillips head screw driver. File away the remaining threads until the back side is flush. I used a grinding attachment in my drill press.
If the heads are shallow enough you should end up with a perforation in the back of the head.
Place the screw head on a Phillips head screw driver. File away the remaining threads until the back side is flush. I used a grinding attachment in my drill press.
If the heads are shallow enough you should end up with a perforation in the back of the head.
Step 2: Set Up for Soldering
Apply some flux to the head of a stainless steel needle. Thread it through the screw head.
You only need a small amount of solder. Hammer a piece of solder and cut a square out with diagonal cutting pliers.
Place the assembly in the jaws of some pliers. Position the needle so it's perpendicular to the screw head.
Place the square of solder on top.
You only need a small amount of solder. Hammer a piece of solder and cut a square out with diagonal cutting pliers.
Place the assembly in the jaws of some pliers. Position the needle so it's perpendicular to the screw head.
Place the square of solder on top.
Step 3: Solder
Melt the solder into the Phillips head. Allow it to cool and solidify.
Step 4: Remove the Excess Solder
File away the excess solder from the front and back. Use some 300 grit sand paper to clean off the last of the remaining excess.
Polish the heads with 2000 grit sand paper, polishing compound, and a polishing wheel.
Polish the heads with 2000 grit sand paper, polishing compound, and a polishing wheel.
Step 5: Prepare the Backings
Trim the backing down to size. I compared the length to some earrings my wife has.
File the ends of the backings until no sharp edges are left behind.
Borrow some backings from an old pair of earrings and place them on your new earrings.
File the ends of the backings until no sharp edges are left behind.
Borrow some backings from an old pair of earrings and place them on your new earrings.