Hot Connections Jewelry: The Complete Sourcebook of Soldering Techniques

When I bought this book, I expected it to be the be-all and end-all of soldering. It's not. This is not the "complete sourcebook of soldering techniques." In fact, it is not a book solely dedicated to "Hot Connections" at all. Much of the book's content is on jewelry making topics and techniques other than soldering.So, if you are looking for a complete sourcebook on soldering, you will need to continue looking.In a book dedicated to soldering, I expect the projects to feature soldering. Surprisingly, there are four projects that require no soldering at all. Out of the fifteen projects, only eight are soldering projects. As an example, why include a project on a forged chain requiring a minimum of soldering when you could have chosen a chain project where all the links are soldered?There are several soldering essentials that receive scant attention. For me, the most glaring omission is on positioning the work piece. Positioning and supporting the work piece to be soldered can be crucial to the success of the solder joint. Most of the soldering demonstrated in the book is done on a flat surface, so the set-up is relatively straightforward.What about pieces to be soldered that are not flat or that have to be supported in some way? This topic is only mentioned in passing. The soldering of the three tiered swan earrings pictured on the cover is not straightforward at all. I can't imagine soldering those earrings on a flat surface with just my torch and a soldering pick.Then again, that's why I bought the book, so I could learn how to solder designs like that.Jennifer Chin creates beautiful jewelry. She makes detailed, intricate pieces requiring soldering skill and precision. Her book looks like an exhibit catalogue, with picture after picture of exquisite jewelry. Sadly, it is not the "go-to" resource on soldering techniques.

I have about 15 books now on metalworking, salvage art, and steampunk styles of jewelry. Most often, the instructions for soldering are vague and sometimes even scary. So at the jewelry class I take, I saw another student with this book.Fifteen minutes later I knew I had to order it. It explains everything, from metals and their differences, melting times, types of equipment, and qualities of each type of metal. Even more helpful than my class, the instructions in this are clear and easy to understand.Best of all, excellent photography highlights some beautiful jewelry, just to inspire you and show techniques. Sometimes it's not so much what to do but what not to do that is important, and this book clearly details it all.I'm very pleased, especially in that I can refer to this often in the future and get ideas, and constantly improve by using various types of equipment.Highly recommend!

I just got this book today.After reading a few pages in each section, it seems as though the author actually put some thought into how the readers will understand this book!I found 'Hot Connections Jewelry' to be an easy-to-understand read. Jennifer is very in-depth on the methods that she describes, yet she's not wordy in the least.I love that this book is clean and uncluttered. It's a collection of necessary simplicities covering simple garage guerrilla methods to top shop jewelers' methods.I'd recommend this to anyone interested in gaining the knowledge to creating beautiful metal jewelry.

I love this book! i'm a novice at metalwork and have a few books on metalwork but this is the first book I have gotten excited about! It is easy to read and understand with step-by-step photos and text. The jewelry and projects are beautiful and inspiring and I can't wait to start making one of the projects from this book! Finally an instructional book with beautiful modern jewelry!!!This book may not be only about soldering techniques... it is so much more!!! Love it!!!

This book has great explanations of how-to-do-it, and very good illustrations. As a silversmithing instructor I will use the techniques taught often.

Great book, every type of soldering technique. I have not practised yet, my soldering technique just fails when I am not in a class situation. Hopefully this book, and it certainly appears comprehensive and detailed, will enable me to follow and practice and master this skill.

Not having delved into soldering as yet, this book inspires me and promotes my buying small soldering supplies to test the water. The pictures show very creative pieces, but no instruction on most of them. There are numerous projects to learn from, with clear instructions. However, taking this book with me everywhere, I continue to be inspired by its content, and can't wait to get into this technique!

great book but not just for regular soldering, this is mostly for soldering with a torch which is pretty advanced. look forward to using it once i get some more experience

I bought this book to add to my collection of jewellery making books for my students to see and thought it was very good, interesting projects and enough technical information for beginners and intermediates.

Excellent step by step guide to designs. I have this on my IPad and it is a great tool for checking processes and ideas

Clear step by step guide with so much more than just soldering techniques. This book also covers cold connections, sawing, shaping, and so much more. Great for beginners.Loved the sample images, and particularly like the fact that the projects to practice the techniques are free to design interpretations.

A well illustrated book with good instructions. Easy to read and follow. Some lovely ideas and inspiration for your own work

The book has lots of beautifull ideas and the soldering techniques are very well explained. It renewed my enthusiasm for making jewellery.