Paul Paine’s Laser Welding Masterclass: 9 Real-World Jewellery Repairs
Paul Paine is a goldsmith with over 35 years of benchmark experience. In Freeform Fabrication’s Paul Paine’s Workshop series, he tackles real-world jewellery repair challenges using laser welders, sharing the exact settings, angles, and techniques that turn difficult repairs into invisible, high-margin finishes.
1. Making Your Own Laser Wire from Scrap Gold
Rather than buying expensive pre-drawn laser wire, Paul frequently creates his own substitute from workshop scrap (such as old rings and cut-offs). By milling scrap gold down, tin-snipping it into fine strips, and rolling it to thickness, you create custom filler metal ideal for infilling casting porosity and small seam gaps.
2. Resizing an 18ct Gold Signet Ring
When sizing up an 18ct gold signet ring, Paul cuts the shank and prepares the filler piece by angling both join edges. This creates a small V-groove ridge where laser wire or snipped gold strips sit perfectly during welding.
Settings Used: Spot Size: 0.2 | Pulse Time: 1.4ms | Frequency: 2.5Hz.
Technique: Start with 1–2 light tacks purely to locate the piece. Gradually build power, striking the gold sideways so it infills immediately.
Pro Tip: Avoid overpowering the joint to prevent blowing holes. Paul calls his method a "wiggle and a mush"—a gentle wiggle to align the piece followed by a controlled mush into place.
3. Additional Workshop Repair Walkthroughs
Infilling an 18ct Gold Omega Watch Clasp
Using the Elettrolaser Megahit (predecessor to the Mega 5.0), Paul matches the alloy carefully and adjusts his angle of attack as he works around worn clasp edges.
Repairing Delicate Snake Chains & Bolt Rings
Fine snake chains are repaired in seconds on the Mega 5.0 without annealing or burning the delicate links. Similarly, closing bolt ring clasps becomes a 30-second task with no need for solder or torch flames.
Re-Clawing Emerald & Diamond Rings
Rebuilding worn claws around heat-sensitive stones (like emeralds) can be done directly without unsetting the gems, eliminating stone-setting risk.
Restoring Antique Gold Bracelet Links & Sovereign Bracelets
From restoring antique 18ct gold hollow ball links to repairing complex sovereign bracelets, laser welding keeps intricate detail sharp and reduces post-weld filing and polishing.
Silver Chain Repair on the Onyx Laser Welder
Silver chain repairs on the Onyx Laser Welder are completed in minutes with zero heat buildup, demonstrating how easily tabletop lasers handle everyday silver workshop jobs.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes. Milling scrap gold or silver down and tin-snipping it into fine strips creates an excellent, cost-effective substitute for commercial laser wire, perfect for filling gaps and porosity.
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For an 18ct signet ring, Paul starts with a spot size of 0.2, time of 1.4ms, and frequency of 2.5Hz. Always begin with low power to tack the piece before stepping power up to complete the weld.
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Tack the piece at low power first to establish position, then angle your shot sideways into the wire/filler rather than firing directly head-on into thin sheet metal.
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No. Because laser welder heat is localized in micro-bursts, you can rebuild claws directly adjacent to diamonds, emeralds, and pearls without unsetting them.
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