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
