Unknown Jeweler

Drawing Wire

Draw two pieces of wire through the hole of a draw plate at the same time to create ½ round wire.

Tubing can be made by drawing a flat strip of metal through a draw plate.

~Unknown Jeweler

Jewelry Making,Fabrication,Bench Jeweler

Sawing

As you saw, blow away metal filings that accumulate.  Then the cutting line remains visible for more accurate cutting.  Always pull the lap tray out beneath the bench pin.  This will catch the filings from sawing.  Collect them and send them to a refiner for recovery.

- Unknown Jeweler

Jewelers Tools,Sawing,Jewelry Making

Bending Metal

When bending metal, use your fingers as much as possible.  This will avoid unnecessary nicks and marks in the metal.  Wood or rawhide tools should be considered next.  Steel tools such as hammers, pliers, and mandrels should be used only when absolutely necessary.

- Unknown Jeweler

Jewelers Tools,Jewelry Fabrication

By-Pass Ring Shanks

Rings with by-pass shanks are right hand and left hand specific and are not interchangeable.  When creating a ring with a by-pass shank, the side of the shank closest to the hand should come from the side of little finger.  The ring will then sit straight on the finger.  This is because the skin joining the fingers together is lower between the little finger and the ring finger than between the ring finger and the middle finger.  If the ring is created with the shank going the other way, the shank will contact the hand on the middle finger side first and cause the ring to twist while wearing it.

-Unknown Jeweler

Jewelry making,Bench Jeweler,Bench Tips

Pearl Clamp

Drill a hole large enough to accommodate an earring post or tie tack post, centered in the curved area at the mouth of the clip. When epoxying beads, simply insert the post through the hole and allow the clamp to close over the bead until dry.  For rings, simply omit drilling a hole.  With this method, you can also place the entire apparatus into the job envelope to allow curing overnight.  Use enough epoxy for a good bond, but not too much to overflow the cup and adhere to the clamp!

- Unknown Jeweler

Jewelry making,Pearls,Bench Jeweler

Jewelers Tools: Sand Blast Finish

Imagine you must apply a sand-blasted finish to a surface, but have neither a compressor nor a sand-blasting tool.  The solution?  Get a piece of PVC pipe!  Simply close one end of the pipe permanently with a cap, attach a removable cap to the other end, and fill the pipe one-third of the way with beach sand.  Drop your jewelry inside and tape the removable cap to the pipe.  Now shake the tube vigorously for a few minutes.  Remove the piece from the tube – and enjoy the even sand finish you have just applied!

You can also achieve a nice sand finish by putting the piece in a rotating tumbler one-third filled with sand and running it overnight.

- Unknown Jeweler

Jewelry making,Finishing Jewelry,Polishing,Jewelers Tools

Jewelers Tools: Pearl Vice part 2

When you want to glue an earring post to the pearl you can use the new clamp I told you about last week. 

Simply cut a slot in the front end of one of the clothespin jaws, wide enough to fit the new post.  Then open the clothespin, rest the pearl between the jaws, and fit the post through the slot.  Once closed the clothespin will again apply enough pressure to secure the assembly and ensure that the glue affixes properly.

-Unknown Jeweler

Jewelers Tools,Jewelry making,Jewelry Repairs,Pearl Setting

Advanced Level Bench Seminars

Wish I could attend these Seminars, but they won’t let me in the hotel with a bag over my head!

- Unknown Jeweler

Platinum Guild International and Bench Media Presents

Bench Seminars

http://www.BenchSeminars.com

One Great Day of Learning by Two of the Industry’s Foremost Seminar Leaders

The Best Advice to Becoming a Better Bench Jeweler Ever Crammed Into 1 Day!

Advanced Level Bench Seminars are being held in:

Philadelphia  ~  July 31st

Las Vegas  ~  Aug 21st

Fort Lauderdale  ~  Sept 4th

Portland  ~  Sept 25th

Indianapolis  ~  Oct 2nd

“No matter how much one knows it is always enlightening and stimulating to sit back and listen to a Master share his own personal tips.  This is an excellent presentation."  Alan Revere – Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts

Whether you are a beginner looking to develop your skills and build your career or a seasoned veteran of the bench looking to refresh your skills and rejuvenate your career, Bench Seminars will help jump-start your creativity and motivate you to accomplish your goals.

You’ll learn how to Work Smarter Not Harder and Achieve more in less time.  The Bench Jewelers Seminars are designed to Inform, Instruct, and Inspire Bench Jewelers to Accomplish their Best.  These seminars illustrate a myriad of Advanced Bench Techniques.  Rather than just learning from one speaker, you will experience one of the first dual instructed seminars in the industry.  As they reach into their bag of tricks you’ll be amazed at the information presented.

“I found the Bench Seminar to be informative and worth my while.  The expertise is incredible.”  John Purvis – Lakewood, CO

This Full-Day of seminars is Only $195 with early registration.

A Small Investment That Will Repay Itself Many Times Over.

Don't Wait Another Moment!
You Can Improve Your Work at the Bench We Will Show You How
–
DON’T MISS OUT!!  Register TODAY!

http://www.BenchSeminars.com

Seminars,Platinum Techniques,Advanced Jewelry Fabrication,Stonesetting

Jewelers Tools: Pearl Vice

It is important to use a vise to secure a pearl while drilling to avoid the pearl slipping and accidentally drilling into your fingers.  A wooden spring action clothespin can be easily modified to do this job.

First, with a large ball bur, carve an indentation into the interior of each jaw.  The indentations should be just deep enough to keep the pearl from slipping out during drilling.  Now all you have to do is insert the pearl into the clothespins jaws, and allow the pins light pressure to securely hold the pearl during drilling.

-Unknow Jeweler

Jewelers Tools,Jewelry Making,Peal Jewelry

Holding Rings Securely for Soldering

To hold a wedding band securely for soldering, try making a small modification to your tweezers.  Using a pair of concave round forming pliers, bend the ends of the tweezers outward.  This will make it possible to hold the ring securely for soldering.  The natural tension of the tweezers will keep the ring in position.  However, be sure to use tweezers with little tension, as too much can spread the ring open during soldering operations.

- Unknown Jeweler

Jewelry making,jewelry repair,soldering,Jewelers Tools