Stud earrings-what am i doing wrong!

[msLondon]

Hi all- I need help

I've been trying to make some stud earrings, but my glue isn't holding.

I'm using a half drilled button shape pearl (7mm)
I'm using a silver plated earring back (just with a flat cup NO peg/post)
I've tried 2 part epoxy (didn't hold)
I tried hyo cement last night (didn't hold either)

Is it that i need to use a sterling silver back with a peg/post and cup?
Could it be that i didn't have equal amounts of epoxy?
Could it be that i didn't mix my epoxy well enough?

any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks

 

[sleight]

My guess would be that you are right - you either didn't have equal amounts or didn't mix it well enough. I would try the epoxy again. Maybe mix only a tiny amount so that it's easy to see that you have more equal portions. One tiny dot of resin and one tiny dot of hardener. Then really mix well.

I would also try to clean off what you can before you start again. You might have to use some Attack.

I've never used hypo cement for posts. But I have heard that Vigor makes a jeweler's glue that you don't have to mix. However, I think epoxy can't be beat for strength and security.

Good luck!

 

[pearlescence]

I agree - both surfaces have to be totally clean and smooth and touching for good adhesion.

 

[jshepherd]

I would definitely recommend also using a post with a peg. If the pearls are half-drilled already, there is not a lot of surface for them to attach. They may fall off even if you do get them to stick. With vigor I have noticed that if there is an air pocket, you also have to worry about the glue evaporating. It leaves a white film all over the edges of the pearl.

 

[msLondon]

Thanks everyone!

I'm going give the pearls a good soak and clean and then i will buy some sterling silver 'backs' with pegs/posts and cup and i'll try the 2 part epoxy again'
I WILL NOT BE BEATEN BY THIS! (although on my 6th attempt i did feel like crying)

 

[pearlescence]

Hypo cement is designed to stay flexible, which is why it is good for knots. You'll need a slow setting epoxy.
You might be using too much adhesive - to join two surfaces successfully you need them to be smooth and in close contact and then use the thinnest film of glue possible - most glueing is suction which is why you can break an adhesion by breaking the suction on even the strongest of glues.
The temptation is to use an immense blob because more is better. but it isn't.With glue, less is definitely more.

 

[msLondon]

Thank-u Pearlescence!
i think that might be the problem also, i put quite a bit of glue on, in the vain hope that more will work and hold the darn thing in place. (i can be a bit heavy handed)

 

[pearlescence]

Ah! you need the thinnest film you can get. and make sure that the two surfaces are smooth and in contact

 

[danachit]

I use the two part expoxy too, but only the longest setting one....some are up to 24 hours. The longer it takes to set, the stronger the glue. And I agree that you'll find a much better hold with a peg that goes inside the pearl than a flat back. Did you know you can purchase 14K. gold pegs for about $4.14 a pair and about $6 for the ear nuts at Bella Findings?

 

[pearlescence]

If you are using the 24 hour set you will need pegs - otherwise you will be going back to the work every hour to see if it has sliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiid out of place. (argggggh)
The cuff links I make have no peg on the finding and I am constantly back and forth. Sometimes they even slide up just to show who's boss

 

[msLondon]

Thank-you all for your help. (i never knew that Danachit, about the setting time linked to the strength of the glue. I will remember that for next time)
And by the way, i'm wearing a beautiful pair of studs, YES!, by Joe, I think i cracked it!

I think the trick was a peg and a thin film of glue, u should of seen how much ? was putting on b4)
I will check Bellafindings out now

THANK-U!

 

[Hanaleimom]

earrings

earrings

For a beginner like me who does not know how to mix, Vigor is great and sets quickly. One of my post (with peg) came off 2 weeks ago. I used Attack to remove the glue and applied Vigor last night to glue it on. I am wearing the studs right now.