Bob Pearson
Member
I will be moving to Tucson in December and be there until April. My goal is to find and take a class on trophy buclke fabrication. I would also consider traveling to take such a class.
Question: looking for a class for making trphy buckles.
- Thread starter Bob Pearson
- Start date
diandwill
Elite Cafe Member
There are, or can be, a number of parts to what you are asking.
At a minimum, you can buy pre-made trophy buckle blanks, with the backing hardware already attached. With that you would need to be able to engrave a design in western bright cut. The cost of the premade buckles would be more than doing the work yourself, but would not require you to learn soldering.
The next step up is to buy, or make, the blanks and attach the hardware yourself. you will need soldering skills to do this. With the soldering skills you can also add color, in the form of brass or gold-filled overlays, to the engraved front, add a raised rope border or other advanced techniques.
Do you know how to engrave? Do you know how to solder? If you can do those 2 things, you can study trophy buckles and make your own design. If you can't do either of those things, that is where you need to start. Learn to western bright cut engrave, at a minimum, to cut your own, then learn to solder to embellish your designs.
To be honest, as a jeweler for the last 30+ years, and with 2 GRS engraving classes under my belt plus 10 years practicing that engraving, I don't think it is realistic to expect to accomplish your desires inside your time frame. It may be that Brian Marshall in Stockton will agree to give you the training you need, he has the skills to teach all the technique, but there is still the learning curve.
If you learn the skills and then engrave diligently for several hours every day, you will make significant progress, and within a short time, anywhere from several months to a few years, be able to produce decent, but not great, quality trophy buckles. Great buckles will require years of work. If you look at the progression of Shawn Didyoung or Jo Ryall (and several others) you will see what can be accomplished IF YOU ARE DEDICATED and WORK HARD. Anything less than total dedication will take much longer to reach your goal.
If you are not able or willing to invest the enormous amount of time and a considerable amount of money, find something else to do, otherwise you will be terribly disappointed AND out a lot of money.
At a minimum, you can buy pre-made trophy buckle blanks, with the backing hardware already attached. With that you would need to be able to engrave a design in western bright cut. The cost of the premade buckles would be more than doing the work yourself, but would not require you to learn soldering.
The next step up is to buy, or make, the blanks and attach the hardware yourself. you will need soldering skills to do this. With the soldering skills you can also add color, in the form of brass or gold-filled overlays, to the engraved front, add a raised rope border or other advanced techniques.
Do you know how to engrave? Do you know how to solder? If you can do those 2 things, you can study trophy buckles and make your own design. If you can't do either of those things, that is where you need to start. Learn to western bright cut engrave, at a minimum, to cut your own, then learn to solder to embellish your designs.
To be honest, as a jeweler for the last 30+ years, and with 2 GRS engraving classes under my belt plus 10 years practicing that engraving, I don't think it is realistic to expect to accomplish your desires inside your time frame. It may be that Brian Marshall in Stockton will agree to give you the training you need, he has the skills to teach all the technique, but there is still the learning curve.
If you learn the skills and then engrave diligently for several hours every day, you will make significant progress, and within a short time, anywhere from several months to a few years, be able to produce decent, but not great, quality trophy buckles. Great buckles will require years of work. If you look at the progression of Shawn Didyoung or Jo Ryall (and several others) you will see what can be accomplished IF YOU ARE DEDICATED and WORK HARD. Anything less than total dedication will take much longer to reach your goal.
If you are not able or willing to invest the enormous amount of time and a considerable amount of money, find something else to do, otherwise you will be terribly disappointed AND out a lot of money.
Brian Marshall
~ Elite 1000 Member ~
If there are at least 3 students - I will do another Western Silversmithing/Fabrication Workshop in September - Stockton, California.
Individual bench positions, 3 soldering stations and a couple of polishing stations.
Make one 3 piece buckle set, one trophy style buckle with rope edge & overlaid banner and if there is time - perhaps a set of conchos.
Cost would be $800 including base metal practice materials - nickel sheet, JB sheet and wire.
Sterling materials and cast figures are also available - or bring your own.
I could follow that with a Western Engraving Workshop, if there was interest?
There is always the private option for any technique related to platinum/gold/silversmithing, stone setting, engraving, wax carving, casting, hydraulic press/dies, etc.
Brian
instructor@jewelryartschool.com
Individual bench positions, 3 soldering stations and a couple of polishing stations.
Make one 3 piece buckle set, one trophy style buckle with rope edge & overlaid banner and if there is time - perhaps a set of conchos.
Cost would be $800 including base metal practice materials - nickel sheet, JB sheet and wire.
Sterling materials and cast figures are also available - or bring your own.
I could follow that with a Western Engraving Workshop, if there was interest?
There is always the private option for any technique related to platinum/gold/silversmithing, stone setting, engraving, wax carving, casting, hydraulic press/dies, etc.
Brian
instructor@jewelryartschool.com
Last edited:
dogcatcher
Elite Cafe Member
Do a search for Bruce Cheaney videos on buckle making. It will give you a start, there is a spur maker that lives in Llano Texas that gives a class in buckle making, can't remember his name, but a search fro spur maker Llano Texas should get you his contact info. Or find someone that offers classes in spur making and beg for a class in buckle making. I have had better luck with the latter, coming out of the blue asking for help, and getting it.
Haraga.com
~ Elite 1000 Member ~
Brian Marshall is your guy.
KCSteve
~ Elite 1000 Member ~
Dang Brian I wish my circumstances would let me attend your class. Sounds like a great deal for anyone who can.
Marrinan
~ Elite 1000 Member ~
Check Ray Covers new web site. He is going to the south west this fall or winter if I recall correctly with his traveling studio and classes. I know he mentioned Texas and New Mexico.- Fred
Marrinan
~ Elite 1000 Member ~
I believe you will find that Ray is more than capable of teaching the entire gamut of related skills. He is a very accomplished knife maker, fly rod builder (talked of putting that class together so I could take it). His scrim is something to behold and at the home studio he could fabricate about anything one would need in fixtures and jigs. I have never seen his bright cut other than inverted but it was up to his usual high standards. you could check with these folks and see if they teach http://bucklesetc.com/buckles/buckle pages/design/designhome.htm. I will agree that Brain Marshal and Dave Alderson would be my top choice to learn me. Fred
Last edited:
Brian Marshall
~ Elite 1000 Member ~
Gerry - Yes, I could do the same workshop in May 2015 - IF I can get 3 participants. (Private can be done also)
Fred - I'm sure that Ray is capable of making a trophy buckle, but he has never done it for a living to my knowledge...?
B.
Fred - I'm sure that Ray is capable of making a trophy buckle, but he has never done it for a living to my knowledge...?
B.
Last edited:
Marrinan
~ Elite 1000 Member ~
Brian, To the best of my knowledge you are correct. He just happens to have his mobile unite down in that area at this time. You by far would be my choice to learn any of the skills related to any of the silver/western business related related work with or without stones. you just live way to far from me. I would love to sign up for a couple of weeks with you. Expecting a small influx soon and hope to do something with you. Planning a father daughter trip if we can make it work. That would be two students, maybe three. Both my brother and I are retiring now and looking to supplement SS. Shop is nearly ready. Plans are made. most of equipment has been purchased. I will be in contact soon.
Haraga.com
~ Elite 1000 Member ~
Bob Pearson, you have the right idea. Get to a place where they have the experience manufacturing trophy buckles. Learn what tools and techniques are used. Engraving is just a small part of what goes into building a nice buckle. Good fabrication skills what you will need first. Remember, you can dress a pig up all you want but it's still a pig.
Bob Pearson
Member
Do you have the required students yet? Do you prefer to be contacted by e-mail or phone?
Thanks,
Bob
robertprsn@gmail.com
Thanks,
Bob
robertprsn@gmail.com
diandwill
Elite Cafe Member
I wish that I could afford the course too. Most of my silver smithing is self taught, and I know I do many things wrong. Maybe if business picks up.....
Brian Marshall
~ Elite 1000 Member ~
I have a coupla "maybes" and one "for sure" for the Western Fabrication Workshop that could be set for Sept. 29 - Oct. 4th (I need 3 students minimum)
I also just found out today what the real cost of materials is gonna be, so the cost has to go up to $850... sorry about that, it's been a while since I did one of these - should've checked earlier.
Here's a little bit more of an explanation of what is covered - and it's a LOT!
The process stages from conception to finished product.
The metals and properties of those metals commonly used in Western style silvermithing.
Sawing and the layout tricks that go with it - yeah, I know most think that's a little too basic - but it's not. You'll see why.
Forming (doming) - several methods
Setting up the soldering bench. Safety. Fuel gases. Chemicals. There are 4 brands of torches to try out. Soldering fixtures.
Solders, uses and application
Making & applying twisted wire rope edges, 1/2 round bead wire and embossed edges - several methods
Making & applying the findings (buckle backs) and other methods of attaching plates, conchos, horn caps, etc.
Applying overlays - both kinds, sawn and cast
Demos on making and using dies to cut & form parts, carving, casting & molding and the use of the pantograph and templates
Metals preparation and final finishing.
You will fabricate and put together a simple 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" oval buckle with twisted wire rope edge and overlay(s), a 3 piece (buckle, loop & tip), make some conchas, and cut out several kinds of overlays - banners, scrolls, lettering, brands, etc.
I will furnish nickel and JB sheet and wire, plus solder, materials & findings. You are welcome to bring your own materials & designs.
I also have sterling stock here should you need it
I lost the notes that I used to give out with this workshop when the last computer bit the dust, but I think I can recreate them from bits and pieces left around in the classroom. You will get a set to keep and refer to when you forget. (Of course, I know no one will forget - but just in case)
Most people who take these workshops wind up saving more than the cost of the workshop when they go to buy their tools and set up a shop.
Simply by having personally tried everything available and making the right choices the first time.
And lastly - If I can't show you at least one trick you've never seen or heard of before on the first day - I'll refund your money on the spot, no questions asked.
In fact if you are not satisfied in ANY way at the end of the first day, that guarantee applies.
Brian
instructor@jewelryartschool.com
Stockton, California
I also just found out today what the real cost of materials is gonna be, so the cost has to go up to $850... sorry about that, it's been a while since I did one of these - should've checked earlier.
Here's a little bit more of an explanation of what is covered - and it's a LOT!
The process stages from conception to finished product.
The metals and properties of those metals commonly used in Western style silvermithing.
Sawing and the layout tricks that go with it - yeah, I know most think that's a little too basic - but it's not. You'll see why.
Forming (doming) - several methods
Setting up the soldering bench. Safety. Fuel gases. Chemicals. There are 4 brands of torches to try out. Soldering fixtures.
Solders, uses and application
Making & applying twisted wire rope edges, 1/2 round bead wire and embossed edges - several methods
Making & applying the findings (buckle backs) and other methods of attaching plates, conchos, horn caps, etc.
Applying overlays - both kinds, sawn and cast
Demos on making and using dies to cut & form parts, carving, casting & molding and the use of the pantograph and templates
Metals preparation and final finishing.
You will fabricate and put together a simple 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" oval buckle with twisted wire rope edge and overlay(s), a 3 piece (buckle, loop & tip), make some conchas, and cut out several kinds of overlays - banners, scrolls, lettering, brands, etc.
I will furnish nickel and JB sheet and wire, plus solder, materials & findings. You are welcome to bring your own materials & designs.
I also have sterling stock here should you need it
I lost the notes that I used to give out with this workshop when the last computer bit the dust, but I think I can recreate them from bits and pieces left around in the classroom. You will get a set to keep and refer to when you forget. (Of course, I know no one will forget - but just in case)
Most people who take these workshops wind up saving more than the cost of the workshop when they go to buy their tools and set up a shop.
Simply by having personally tried everything available and making the right choices the first time.
And lastly - If I can't show you at least one trick you've never seen or heard of before on the first day - I'll refund your money on the spot, no questions asked.
In fact if you are not satisfied in ANY way at the end of the first day, that guarantee applies.
Brian
instructor@jewelryartschool.com
Stockton, California
Last edited:
Sponsors
