How to Make a Silver Cup

Create a simple silver cup with silver sheet.

Create a functional and beautiful sterling silver cup from home. Learn how to form and solder sheets of silver to make this simple and elegant vessel. This project requires some skill and care because it involves the use of torches and sharp instruments. Do not attempt this project if you become uncomfortable with the tools or process and always follow safety procedures. Those with a basic understanding of metalworking should be able to complete this project using beginning forming and soldering techniques.

Things You'll Need

• Silver sheet
• Scrap paper
• Compass
• Pliers
• Easy silver solder
• Flux
• Propane jeweler's torch
• Jeweler's saw
• Bench pin
• Metal files
• Pickle solution
• Crock pot
• Soldering station
• Quench pot
• Soldering pick
• Copper tongs
• Round bracelet mandrel
• Plastic or leather mallet
• Safety goggles
• Striker
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Marker
• Finishing sand paper

Instructions

1. Create a template for the mug by drawing on scrap paper. Use the compass to draw a circle for the base of the cup. Measure the circumference of the circle and use this measurement as the length of the rectangle of silver you will use for the walls of the cup. Use a pen to draw the rectangle measurements on a piece of silver sheet.

2. Position the sheet on the bench pin and cut the rectangle using a jeweler's saw. Use pliers to curve the rectangle until the two ends touch and form a loop.

3. Move the looped metal to the soldering station. Apply flux to the metal seam. Lay a few pieces of silver solder on the soldering station. Light the torch with the striker and heat the metal. Heat the solder with the torch while picking it up with a soldering pick. Apply the solder to the seam and heat until the solder flows and fuses the metal.

4. Use tongs to dip the metal in the quench pot to cool it down. Place the silver in a pickle pot for five to ten minutes to remove any soot.

5. Use a round bracelet mandrel and plastic mallet to form the soldered metal into a circular column. Slide the column down the mandrel until it stops and hammer it with the mallet to create a round shape.

6. Place the formed column on a piece of silver sheet on the soldering station. Apply flux to the base of the column. Solder the column to the base using the same techniques as soldering the column seam.

7. Quench the piece when finished and place it in the pickle for five to ten minutes.

8. Saw around the outer edge of the solder line, staying close to the sides of the cup. File the excess around the edge to create a seamless connection for the base.

9. Finish the cup by sanding to a smooth finish. Start with a high-grit sand paper and move down to a low-grit finishing paper. Apply a food-grade silver polish for a high-gloss finish.

Tips & Warnings

• Create a handle by forming silver sheet and soldering it to the top and base of the mug.

• Always use food-grade polish for silver cups.

• Create small silver cups or bezels for jewelry-making.

• Always wear safety goggles and work in a well-ventilated room.

• Pull loose hair and clothing back when working with fire and sharp objects.

• Always keep a fire-extinguisher handy.

• Never attempt a project if unsure of how to use dangerous tools.

References

• Jesse International: Make a Ring with a Bezel Setting

Resources

• RioGrande: Learning Center Projects
• RioGrande: Bezel-Setting a Cabachon