When using a jeweler’s saw, ALWAYS saw on the waste side of the line. Cut as close to the line as possible without cutting into it. It is always better to leave too much metal, which can be removed latter, than to cut away too much metal. With experience, you will be able to cut right along the line with no additional clean up needed when finished.
Brad
Increase the size of your polishing wheels from the standard 4” wheel to a 6” wheel. This will cut polishing time by over 1/3. Changing to a 6” wheel from an old wheel worn down to 2 ½” or 3” will cut polishing time too less than 1/2. This is due to the surface area of the wheels. Although spinning at the same speed, more surface area moves over the jewelry in the same amount of time thereby polishing faster.
Brad
Always mount hand files into handles. Handles offer far more control and safety than just holding onto the un-mounted tang of a file. Needle files have a smooth round tang that doubles as a handle. However, they can be awkward to hold for more than brief periods. It is helpful to fit the file into a larger and more comfortable handle.
Brad
Change the cleaning solution in your Ultrasonic cleaner often. Trying to clean jewelry in dirty solution is like trying to take a bath in a muddy creek.
Brad
You can use your rubber mold vulcanizer to recycle hard wax scraps. Place a mold frame on a mold frame plate and fill the mold with clean scraps of wax. Make certain all the scraps are the same type of wax. Then place the frame with the wax scraps in your vulcanizer and set the temperature to the melting temperature of the wax. When melted carefully remove the frame and allow it to cool. Once cooled pop the wax from the frame, and you have a new sheet of carving wax. The wax sheet will be thicker on the edges, but that can be easily trimmed if you want an even sheet. Be certain to remove all traces of wax from the frame before making a rubber mold.
Brad
When using a rolling mill to change the dimensions of gold, silver, or platinum sheets always place the metal being rolled in the center of the rollers. This will ensure even pressure on the metal and cause less wear on the rolling mill.
Brad
To begin cutting with a jeweler’s saw, place the metal on the bench pin. Hold it firmly; if the metal slips the blade will break. Rest the saw blade against its edge; gently draw the blade downward. The blade should begin to cut. If it doesn’t check the blade. It 
maybe the wrong size for the metal being cut, or it maybe installed upside down. The teeth should point down towards the handle, cutting on the down stroke. If the teeth point upwards, remove the blade and turn it around.
Saw in front of your body and in a forward direction. Some jewelers keep the saw in one forward position and move the metal into the saw. Others hold the metal steady, and move the saw in the desired direction. Still others move both the metal and saw as necessary. With a little practice, you will develop the most natural method for you.
Sawing is most efficient when remaining relaxed while sawing. Tensing muscles in the hand, arm or shoulders cause fatigue and cramping. In addition, un-satisfactory sawing will result. The arm and shoulder should be loose and the hand remaining relaxed. If necessary, adjust your chair or body position in order to be comfortable and relaxed while sawing.
Brad
Based on his best selling book, this seminar offers a potpourri of useful information and tricks to overcome a jeweler’s daily challenges. This seminar is full of innovative tips, tricks, shortcuts, and homemade tools to help jewelers work smarter, by being more efficient and economical. Jurgen’s tales of his earliest days as an apprentice are sprinkled throughout. These gems are especially revealing and instructive, offering important advice and stresses the importance of communication, planning, and working smarter.
This seminar is part of the program at the Bench Jewelers Conference & Expo, April 24 – 27, 2008 in Los Angeles. For details on all the seminars offered, more conference & expo information, and to register go to: www.BenchConference.com.
