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June 30, 2008
June 27, 2008
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
June 25, 2008
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
June 20, 2008
Jewelers Tools: Bur Guide
With the help of a modified pencil stub, you can have a simple little grip that will give you more control when you are cutting or grinding with a bur.
To begin, measure along the shaft of a pencil stub about 1 inch. Cut the stub to the proper length using a jewelers saw.
Once the pencil has been cut to the proper length, you must remove the pencil lead (graphite) from its core. Take a twist drill that is the size of the bur shaft, or slightly larger, and begin cutting through the lead.
Once the hole has been drilled through, push the bur through the pencil stub. You should have plenty of room to attach the end of the bur to the flex-shaft handpiece.
Now when cutting or grinding, you can grab the pencil stub and it will keep the bur still. This trick also has another benefit: The leftover graphite from the pencil lead will act as lubrication, allowing the bur to turn freely as you work.
- Unknown Jeweler
June 18, 2008
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
June 16, 2008
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
–
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http://www.BenchSeminars.com
June 13, 2008
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
June 11, 2008
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
June 09, 2008
New DVD from Bench Media
INTRODUCTORY ½ PRICE SALE!
Favorite Tips – The Complete 1st Season.
This DVD contains all 25 episodes playing this year on the Bench Jewelers Television Network. Tips, Tricks, and Techniques from Brad Simon and other Master Bench Jewelers
You CAN Learn To Be More Efficient & Productive at the Bench In As Little As 1 Hour With These 25 Different Tips.
This DVD will sell for $39.95 but you can have it NOW for ONLY $19.95 with this Limited Time INTRODUCTORY OFFER.
To Order Go to: http://benchtelevision.com/store/benchtips/index.html
“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.” - Alan Revere
Favorite Tips – The Complete 1st Season.
Tips, Tricks, and Techniques of a Master Jeweler
Making and repairing jewelry encompasses only a few basic techniques. However, there are numerous tricks to use in mastering those techniques. In this show series you will learn tips, tricks, and techniques on jewelry repair, fabrication, and stone setting from Brad Simon and other Master Jewelers.
“This teaches you how you can save a lot of shop hours and save the company money.” - J Hernandez
Greatest Gold-Mine Of New Bench Tips Ever Crammed Into One Product. How to make repairs easier, tricks to working on platinum, simple tool alterations to speed up your work, tricks to setting color stones, plus much more is covered.
“Many useful bench tips. I've worked 30 years at the bench, yet I learned a lot.” - Dick Westphal
Proven Tips, Tools and Tactics To Make Your Bench Work Easier. This DVD is a fast-paced session of Bench Tips & Tricks that will reveal secrets of Master Jewelers and enlighten you with numerous tips to make your work at the bench easier and more productive.
“Brad Simon never sleeps - I think he lays awake at night coming up with all of these off the wall tips to use in the shop.” - Michael Gerwig
Watch and learn what tricks are right for you and make your work at the bench easier and more productive. Don't Wait Another Moment! Learn To Be More Efficient In Your Bench Work Now!
Order by July 10th and pay ONLY $19.95 PLUS Shipping!
To Order Go to: http://benchtelevision.com/store/benchtips/index.html
June 06, 2008
Jewelry Making: Pearl Cross Pendant
Step 9
After polishing and cleaning, the finished cross can be presented to the customer.
