Silversmith's Secrets

Award-winning silversmith and BBC television presenter Brenton West shares all his silversmithing techniques and expertise with you.

Whether for sentimental reasons or to turn a profit, it's good to have an expert's advice when fixing, repairing or improving decorative household items. Through 12 projects, award-winning silversmith and BBC television personality Brenton West explains how to diagnose the problem, apply the repair, and make good almost any precious items.

Each project and core technique is fully illustrated so you can see what's happening at each stage, and Brenton shares how to apply the skills learned to your own particular repairs. After all, nothing breaks in quite the same way: this book will teach you how to adapt. With new skills learned or old skills finessed, many seemingly insurmountable challenges can be overcome.

• Friendly, professional advice on how to assess and safely repair your items
• Learn how to identify and safely repair different metals and materials
• Includes information on hallmarking, so you can assess those second-hand finds accurately
• An extensive tools directory gives straightforward, in-depth advice on the best tools for the job
• Dozens of versatile techniques explained clearly, simply and in context: learn how to re-plate silver, remove dents, correctly secure metal to glass, reshape or replace metal and more; all on a range of precious and antique items including jewellery, table lamps, inkwells, picture frames and hand mirrors.

'Even if an object has large emotional or financial value, if it is broken, it is virtually useless. My goal – and the goal of all silversmiths – is to repair these things so they work properly or look as fabulous as they possibly can.' – Brenton West

'There are few problems that are insurmountable. If something is broken more often than not it can be repaired. A can-do attitude is essential, or at least a willingness to have a go.'

So writes award-winning silversmith and BBC television personality Brenton West in his introduction to this, his first book. Brimming with in-depth technical information on tools, techniques and metals, Brenton explains how to diagnose the problem, apply the repair, and make good almost any precious items.

Aimed at anyone who wants to learn the skills necessary to fix, repair or improve household items – whether for sentimental reasons or to turn a profit – the book covers more than a dozen common case studies for you to follow. Ranging from simple to more complex repairs, Brenton tackles re-plating silver, correctly securing metal to glass, polishing, soldering, re-finishing and more on a variety of antique items including table lamps, inkwells, cocktail shakers and hand mirrors.

The case studies are fully illustrated so you can see what's happening at each stage, while handy boxes expand on the specific example, giving Brenton's expert advice on how to apply the skills learned to your own particular repairs. After all, no two objects break in quite the same way: the book will teach you how to adapt. Dotted throughout are Brenton's own hard-won secret tips and techniques, so you can share and benefit from his experience.

Brenton talks you through how different metals and materials can be properly identified and safely repaired. The book also includes information on hallmarking, allowing you to assess those second-hand finds accurately. Finally, an extensive tool directory and techniques section give no-nonsense and in-depth advice on the best tools for the job.