Description

Title of class:  No Heat Required: Creative Cold Connections

Instructor: Kristin Mitsu Shiga (FYI, for alphabetization purposes, my last name is Shiga – Mitsu is my middle name, which I use professionally – thank you!)

Date of Class:  Tuesday, February 2, 2027

Maximum number of students: 15

Time: 8:00 am until Noon

Level: All Levels (No Prerequisite)

Type: Technique

Class Fee: $(we’ll fill this in depending on how long the class is)

Kit Fee: $ 60

Kit includes

• Assorted Base Metal Sheet, Wire, Tube & Rod for Samples
• 3/8″ x 0-80 Brass Nut, Bolts & Washers
• Hand Plug Tap #0-80
• T-Handle Tap Wrench, 0″-1/4″, 3.0-6.0mm
• 4 Drill Bits
• Tap Magic 30004P ProTap Cutting Fluid, 4 oz. Size
• 2 Pack Thread Lock Medium and Strong Strength for Nuts, Bolts, and Metals
• LYNX® Tungsten Vanadium Round Bur, 4mm
• LYNX® Tungsten Vanadium Cup Bur, 4.5mm

Instructor will have the following for use in class

• Tap Magic 30004P ProTap Cutting Fluid
• Medium and Strong Strength Thread Lock
• 0-80, 3/8” Brass Nuts, Bolts & Washers
• Riveting Hammers
• Dapping Punches
• Tube-Cutting Jig
• Precision Mitre Vise
• Riveting Spacers
• Small clamp-on vises (6?)
• Desktop Drill Press (if possible)
• 1 per student if possible:
  • Flex Shaft
  • Bench Pin
  • Steel Bench Block

Student Supply List

• Jewelers’ Saw Frame
• 2/0 and 4/0 Sawblades
• 2-Cut, 6” Hand File
• Needle Files
• Bur Life or similar lubricant
• Flat-Nose Pliers
• Round-Nose Pliers
• Tube-Cutting Jig or Precision Mitre Vise
• Diamond Drill Bits
• Tweezers
• Chasing Hammer (or other small Ball Peen)

Optional Supply List

• Riveting Hammer (or other small Cross-Peen)
• Alternative materials you would like to learn to connect to your work
• If you prefer to work in precious metal for your samples, bring an assortment of round wire (12-18ga), thin-walled tubing (3+mm OD) and sheet (18-24ga)
• Optivisors or other magnifiers if needed

Instructor Email Address: kristin@kristinmitsushiga.com

Instructor Website: kristinmitsushiga.com

Class Description

Discover the many ways there are to attach components without a torch!

Cold connections offer metalsmiths an incredibly versatile toolbox for joining materials without soldering—opening the door to combinations that simply aren’t possible with heat.

In this fast-paced demo-based workshop, students will explore a range of useful mechanical connections, including wire rivets, tube rivets, staples, tabs, and tiny threaded connections. We’ll look at how each method works, when to use it, and how to make the connection an intentional part of your design rather than something to hide.

These techniques are great for joining metal to metal, but their real superpower is allowing you to incorporate materials that can’t withstand the heat of soldering—wood, leather, paper, plastics, found objects, and more. They’re also invaluable when working with finished, patinated, enameled, or otherwise heat-sensitive components.

Whether you want to expand your metalsmithing vocabulary, incorporate mixed media into your work, or simply find smarter ways to put things together, you’ll leave with a new toolbox of practical connections and creative problem-solving skills you can put to work immediately.