If you keep multiple saw frames around with different saw blades in them @rsalley has a great way to keep track of them! He cuts small strips of magnetic tape and writes down the number of the saw blade. The magnets are easily moved around when you... more
Want to make your own setting tools out of old burs? Watch these step by step videos from @piecesofstarrjewelry she modifies burs and center punches to create tools which can be used for hammer setting, flush setting and burnishing! Thank you so much... more
I know there are an overwhelming amount of mandrels and attachments available for your flexshaft so I thought it would be a good idea to start showcasing and discussing helpful ones! This one is called a split mandrel and I consider it an essential! ... more
If humidity is rusting your saw blades 😬 @noctisjewelry has the perfect solution!! - “If you are like me and live in a humid climate you are constantly fighting rust, and the worst is rusty saw blades! So... I tried using test tubes and voila! No more... more
Fellow jeweler @coffeycad very generously sent me a few wax sticks he’d ordered in bulk online. They are used for applying rhinestones to nail art and are perfect for taking stones in and out of settings while checking the seat. I cut mine down and... more
If you want to avoid tarnish while storing finished work you can use 3M anti-tarnish paper tabs! Just place a single tab inside your bag. Whenever I ship out a wholesale order I include one with each piece to ensure my pieces look perfect when they... more
If you have a narrow space to sand inside use this tip from @meda.orfebre “Take a strip of folded sandpaper, And put it in your saw frame (with tension). It works very well.” 🤯Someone was just asking me the other day how to clean up intricate sawed... more
If you use a burnishing compound in your tumbler, this tip is a game changer! Take an empty gallon jug and fill with water then add 2.5-3oz (or a shot glass worth if you have one) of your burnishing compound (I use Sunsheen) now every time you use... more
For today’s #tooltalksaturday we are discussing the Chenier Cutter a.k.a Tube Cutting Jig from the bench of @estherweinbergjewellery - “My fave tool for holding wire to get the same length for earring posts or rivits…. You are assured of a perfect cut... more
This hot tip from @susan_ewington_jewellery 🤯 She created her own locking tweezers with a strip of folded brass- “The strip of brass is about 0.6mm or thereabouts, it was just a piece of scrap I had lying around, maybe around 10cm long, and I just... more
Here is another way to store your wire and various sheet metals from @rek.inc what I love about the binder with the clear sleeves is you can check your inventory at a glance and you could also throw some @3m anti-tarnish tabs in there to keep your... more
If you want to secure your sandpaper to your split mandrel use this tip from @karlaurbachartisan - Orthodontic rubber bands! “They are super easy to slip down when you need to tear off the end of used paper!” Thank you for sending this Karla! Such a... more
Here is just one of the many solutions for setting a bezel in a tight space (stay tuned for more!) from @gildedpoppyco “I made this tiny pusher out of a little stainless steel nail by grinding and polishing the head and mounted it in the handle. I... more
Happy #tooltalksaturday this week I wanted to talk about my OptiVISOR! For those that are unfamiliar with an OptiVISOR it is a headset that has interchangeable acrylic lens plates that magnify your work. It’s an essential tool for me when I’m setting... more
How to make your own sanding discs from @artjewels.ru -“All that you need: sandpaper with the grit that you need (I'm using 1200 or 800 grit), scissors, screw mandrel and a sharp pin. 1. Cut the sandpaper with the scissors to the sizes you need. 2.... more
For this #tooltalksaturday I wanted to talk about all the wonderful uses of a round ball bur! Including this hot tip from @catpawgems - “For top-heavy rings, I use a round bur on a flex shaft to carve away excess wax. I only do the top and not the... more
This genius #DIY tool comes from @williamcobbjewelry “I use a craft circle cutter to cut sunshine cloth. It cuts 3/4 circles. Then mount them on a mandrel. You can buy them now, but I have been doing this since 2002.” I wonder if that circle punch... more
It’s time to talk tools! #tooltalktuesday (sounds so much better 🤣 than Saturday) I wanted to talk about my Miter Cutting Vise & Jigs today. I have owned this one for over a decade and used it countless times. You can place wires, rods, tubing and... more
Since this month our #metalsmithchallenge theme is hinges, I wanted to share this tip for cutting tubing - you can place your tube cutting jig in a vise to make it a bit easier to hold the tubing and hold down the jigs arm! Can’t wait to see what... more
For today’s #tooltalktuesday we are talking about ultrasonics! Shoutouts to @estherweinbergjewellery for these fab images and for sharing her experience - “This is the Elma Ultrasonic .8. Uses - CLEANS LIKE A MOFO! Ring rack is probably THE most... more
