Here is a technique for securing your work while stone setting from @alwaysaleda - “The t-plate from GRS is a Godsend. I haven’t got a ball-vise, (or the room for one at the moment!) so I use this in their ring clamp for setting stones in flat or... more
For this #tooltalktuesday we are discussing diamond abrasives! Thank you @fromsam_nz for sharing this tool with us! - “I have diamond polishing compound that I use to polish my stones. Sometimes I buy rough stones to cut myself or I buy a few stones... more
Here is a tip for holding your piece while soldering a hinge (or a multitude of other tricky situations) from @elmharris - “These honeycomb blocks and pins are AMAZING for holding work in place for soldering hinges! They’ve changed my whole hinging... more
Here is a step by step on how to create a basket setting from @sinead_cleary_jewelry - “Start by forming two circles out of wire. I prefer 18g. Argentium, sterling or fine silver all work. One circle should be smaller than the other, the larger circle... more
MERRY CHRISTMAS 🎄🎁 I hope everyone has a AWESOME holiday 🙏🏻😘 For this #tooltalktuesday ⚒ I’m showing off my @maunindustries Parallel Flat Nose Pliers with Soft Grip Jaws (and return spring) I. Am. Obsessed. I use these pliers every time I have to... more
Here is a tip for creating your own carving tools from @argenta.shop - “I modify inexpensive screwdrivers! Any small screwdriver can work for modifying and then wax carving. The modification goes by annealing - hammering - filing- sanding (80 to 1000... more
Here is a tip for when your torch tips get clogged. Someone from the community suggested this last year and we did a story about it (I’m sorry I can’t remember who it was!) Use distilled water and boil them for ten minutes! Easy peazy! I wish I had... more
If anyone has a hard time finding the center of a circle 🙋♀️ this tool for #tooltalktuesday will be a game changer. It is simply, a center finder. You can slide your circles, squares, hexagons etc. into the center finder and you use your scribe to... more
Here is an awesome technique for sharpening your gravers from @jewelleryinstitute - “To polish this square graver on the fly instead of taking it to the sharpening table, we use a Ceragloss yellow fine diamond wheel, make sure it has a backing on it... more
For this week’s #tooltalktuesday I’d love to discuss sanders! Thank you @dogvioletjewelry for sharing yours 🙏🏻 “This is the Ikohe Belt Sander, found on Amazon, price $185. This sander will definitely be a game changer for me. As all of us Smiths... more
Here is a tip to repair your broken honeycomb from @mylnebridgehouse - “Your broken soldering mat can be repaired very effectively by sewing it back together with fine iron wire (28g binding wire)- this one has been broken and repaired for longer than... more
For this week’s #tooltalktuesday I have the absolute pleasure of showing off the appropriately named *“Perfect Bench Pin” created and sold by Mike & Mary of @flowmke2 🙏🏻😁 this bench pin is made of a abrasion resistant (nontoxic) plastic and fits... more
This weeks #tooltalktuesday is about forming tools! I received this set from @splenortools and have spent weeks working with it, brainstorming all the possible uses. I fear this post does not even do it justice, but here we go: the Swage block (the... more
Here is a tip for some #diy handles from @mothersonthemountainjewelry - “Ouch! It was getting uncomfortable to file with the skinny handles, so I improvised with the gator tape. Happy hands and fingers means I can keep on playing (working) with... more
Here is a technique for soldering your bezels or smaller details to a piece without melting - focus your torch flame on your base and heat from below! You can even try a sweat solder (melt solder onto your base, pickle, sand slightly and then place... more
For this week’s #tooltalktuesday I’m extremely excited to show off my new @whaleystudios sliding hammer 🔥 this was my first time setting with it (I probably should have waited a few weeks until I got really good at it so I could impress you all 😂)... more
For this week’s #tooltalktuesday I’m sharing a tool that I went without for a really long time. I decided to finally treat myself last year 💃🏼and I don’t know why I waited so long! This is an automatic torch lighter. It saves me SO much time, I used... more
If you need a tool to open a set bezel, here is a step by step guide to make your own from @williamcobbjewelry - “Start with a pair of hemostats (an inexpensive surgical tool) I first had to flatten the jaws by removing the teeth. Then blunted the... more
For this week’s #tooltalktuesday I want to talk about the @grstools Benchmate System (I have the Encore QCX) I often get asked about mine and I wanted to give those interested an opportunity to ask questions! I invested in mine years ago and have... more
