Rob, that is a winning combination!
Ok, guys, my secret potion/remedy; or how to save a lot of experimentation:
The-Complete-Metalsmith-an-Illustrated-Handbook-Tim-McCreight
"'Tim McCreight is a well-known American author, teacher and jeweler. He has been working in metals since 1973. He has an MFA from Bowling Green University and he taught for over 30 years in a number of schools, including the Maine College of Art. He consults for industry, teaches workshops internationally and he is the author of 16 previous books."'
The advantage to these books is that you will have a good insight into the non-ferrous metals and how to work with and finish them. At the very least, you will have an idea what to look for, on line, when the given information is not a complete as you would wish.
I have been a metal-smith/ craftsman in various forms for a lot of years..maybe 60+? I became aware of his books in the early '90s. A good friend, college metals' instructor, and gunsmith passed the books on to me to read. I have had at least one of his titles in my shop since. I often take for granted what I have learned from him but would not be aware of without his information.
~Richard