If you’ve ever researched the tools and techniques it takes to craft permanent jewelry, you’ve probably already stumbled across the term “jewelry arc welder.” This machine is a popular piece of technology that has led the charge in the permanent jewelry field for years.
In the right hands, it’s a device that can be used to create highly professional results — though achieving those results may be easier said than done.
A jewelry arc welder, also referred to as a pulse arc welder, is a unique welding machine designed to perform precise welding for intricate metalwork, especially in the field of permanent jewelry. At the heart of its operation is a welding technique known as pulse arc welding, valued for its capacity to produce precise and controlled welds while minimizing the impact of the heat.
How a Jewelry Arc Welder Works
Arc Formation
To start the welding process, an electrical arc is created between the welding electrode (usually a thin piece of tungsten) and the workpiece (your jewelry). This arc produces intense heat at the point of contact.
Pulsing Current
Pulse arc welding distinguishes itself from continuous welding processes with a pulsed current. This alternating current shifts back and forth between a higher peak current and a lower background current. The peak creates metal fusion, while the dip prevents overheating.
Controlled Heat
One of the major benefits of pulse arc welding is the ability to provide precise and controlled heat. The controlled heat acts as a protective shield, protecting the delicate materials of the jewelry.
Metal Fusion
As the welding electrode moves within range of the workpiece, the intense heat of the arc causes the metal surfaces at the welding point to melt. This allows the metals to fuse together when done properly.
Weld Formation
The pulse of the current ensures that the molten metal can cool and solidify quickly for a precise weld. This helps protect the jewelry piece from any deformities or damage.
The Challenges of the Jewelry Arc Welder
While years of use have shown the jewelry arc welder’s propensity for clean, professional results, this tried-and-true method has never quite shed the numerous challenges that come with it.
For one thing, a device of this technical level demands experience and carefully honed expertise — especially considering it operates on intense levels of concentrated heat. Safety is a constant concern for machines like these.
At the same time, professional-quality arc welders are expensive, often costing upwards of two thousand dollars. While seasoned experts may have those kinds of funds available for a business expense, this initial investment is often the final roadblock for interested beginners.
So, does your permanent jewelry journey end here? Or is there a better way?
The PermaLinx Starter Collection
Here at jBloom, we’re proud to present an innovative alternative for permanent jewelry crafting that eliminates the dangers and costs of traditional methods. Discover the exciting possibilities of the PermaLinx starter collection, a comprehensive toolkit designed to help you kickstart your career as a permanent jewelry artist.
PermaLinx was built on a single, optimistic idea: that permanent jewelry should be for everyone. It works by replacing the need for a jewelry arc welder with a secure, closable link system. The process of permanent jewelry craft is simpler than ever, making it accessible to experts and newcomers alike.
Turn your love for creating permanent jewelry into a successful business with the PermaLinx starter collection. It offers an accessible, safer, and more budget-friendly alternative to the complexities of arc welding. Be the one to bring the gift of permanent jewelry to your friends, family, and networks — become a PermaLinx designer today.