Must-Have Metalsmithing Tools for Jewelers

re: Must-Have Metalsmithing Tools for Jewelers

dsal — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 00:41:35 GMT

Foxyfyr wrote: " When I work my seed beads the finished project doesn't have the stability that I feel it needs, It feels "floppy or flimsy" like it will fall apart or the work can be spread with the fingers. How do I leave enough slack for movement without losing the necessary tension."

If you want a stiffer piece, try using Fireline. The finished project does not give as much drape as when using Nymo, but it does yield a more stable project.

If you prefer Nymo (which I do), you might want to try this: Cut a length of thread you plan to use. Quickly run it through a heated hair flat-iron, by tugging the Nymo a bit at a time. Or, you can secure the thread into the barrel of a heated curling iron, and then wrap the thread around the closed barrel once, then gently tug on the end. The idea is to heat the thread and stretch it a bit simultaneously. You'll end up with a nice, straight piece of thread which will not be too stretchy. Your seed-beaded piece will have the drape of Nymo, but will not stretch out of shape.

For somewhat complicated stitches, such as St. Petersburg weave, or spots in other weaves/patterns that seem to lose tension: follow your thread path once again. Going through the beads the second time helps to firm things up.

These tips should help stabilize your beadwork!

hth,

dsal

re: Must-Have Metalsmithing Tools for Jewelers

ann3angels — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 02:42:52 GMT

I see that you actually wrote this in January, but I'm responding now because I have finally gotten myself a drill press. I have been investigating them for years and then stumbled on one on Amazon for $31. It's called the Dremel workstation and covers basic functions, but I am thrilled. I think it will suite my needs fine.

Now I just have to get it assembled. I know it gets difficult being able to afford these larger tools, but by shopping around, I always find a good deal on what I am looking for. A mill roller is next. I actually found one in the Otto Frei catalog for $250. Not the Cadillac of mill rollers, but again, I'm sure it will serve my rather humble purposes.

re: Must-Have Metalsmithing Tools for Jewelers

clsinger — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:32:59 GMT

I borrowed my husband's safety wire pliers (which is used to properly twist safety wire so that bolts, etc. don't fall of racing motorcycles). The pliers lets me grip one end of a folded piece of wire and with the other end clamped to something solid, be able to quickly make twisted wire which has perfectly spaced twists in it. I LOVE this tool and told him where in my jewlery work table he can find it when he needs it again!

I also now have the materials to make a sand bag for workhardening pieces withouth changing their shape. I couldn't find one so decided that with heavy leather, my sewing machine and fine sand, I could make one.

re: Must-Have Metalsmithing Tools for Jewelers

Foxfyr64 — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 16:10:25 GMT

Hi there Ms. Jean,

I just read yourarticle and found it interesting. I am still learning and have the problem of not being satisfied with my results (I've been practicing for over three years). My question is when working with round wire (dead soft or half-hard), how do you keep the wire from twisting or/and kinking. I've tried taping it and that makes it difficult to form or wrap for cabachons. When I work my seed beads the finished project doesn't have the stability that I feel it needs, It feels "floppy or flimsy" like it will fall apart or the work can be spread with the fingers. How do I leave enough slack for movement without losing the necessary tension. Thank you in advance for any suggestions. foxfyr64

re: Must-Have Metalsmithing Tools for Jewelers

ajca82@hotmail.com — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 00:10:22 GMT

It's me again, I bought a Third hand. I not sure this qualifies as a metal smith tool but it sure comes in handy when I solder jump rings and findings. I find that when I make bracelets, I tend to put a lot of beads, metal swirls and charms on them. To ensure that the bracelet doesn't break easily under the weight, I will solder the jumprings. I finally got a metal bench block and nylon mallet. I couldn't wait to harden and flatten some copper wire charms. My next purchase will be a torch, butane hand torch, I'm too much of a scary cat to get anything else.

Crazy to bead

re: Must-Have Metalsmithing Tools for Jewelers

JanineB@7 — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 15:14:01 GMT

Jeanne,

I knew that I had an old iron and it drove me nuts trying to locate it. Hee Haw !!!

I did locate it and have already started to use it. The metal block that I normally use is small and not always practical when working on a project.

Other items that I have located on my yard sale scavanger hunts are. An awl that

someone had made out of an old railroad tie. This works great and puts an awesome design on my projects. Another great tool I located was a boat anchor

that I use to form my bracelts. I love going to tool yard sales and I always seem

to find a great tool that is very inexpensive, but on the other hand they seem to have charachter and are very useful.

Thank you so much for the tip and by the way, your articles are great and I really

enjoy reading them. They inspire my inner soul and rejuvinate my desire to be creative..

Janine Brown

re: Must-Have Metalsmithing Tools for Jewelers

Angie@73 — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:02:36 GMT

I invested in a Dremel "D" vise which I attached to the corner of my work table - I use it WAY more than I ever thought I would!

Angie S

http://www.allthingsangie.com/

re: Must-Have Metalsmithing Tools for Jewelers

Karo - Bead Poetry — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:25:13 GMT

Can anyone suggest a specific type of Dremmel tool that would be good for jewelry use? I have a bunch of 1/16" diamond bits that someone gave me years ago but I could never find any tool that they would fit in. It looks like most of the other bits are 3/16 or 1/8". I had a small cordless Dremmel, and someone at Home Depot sold me something that was supposed to make the tool fit any size bits, but it never gripped the bits tightly enough, even when tightened, and they always wobbled. It was a total waste of money - unfortunately, I know nothing about Dremmels. Help!

re: Must-Have Metalsmithing Tools for Jewelers

technomad2 — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:40:46 GMT

Definitely the Dremel drill press stand Suzie mentioned! Also a good set of shears - cutting a more manageable size out of a huge sheet has led to reduced headaches. A clamp with nylon or rubberized grips can hold work in place without shaking and aching the way my hand does!

re: Must-Have Metalsmithing Tools for Jewelers

misswicked — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 22:35:28 GMT

I would like a guide to the Dremel rotary tool. I have one but cannot even figure out how some of the attachments...attach.

This book is a great suggestion and I'm grateful to read this blog and have the basic tools narrowed down. As a beader, my work is so time-consuming that I don't have a lot of time to devote to learning to work with metal. I want to make my own findings so that's a real problem. Thanks for writing about the basics. I'd be interested in seeing more along the lines of (just a suggestion) "Metal Working for Complete Idiots who would rather be beading?"

re: Must-Have Metalsmithing Tools for Jewelers

GeorgetteE — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 21:33:34 GMT

I found an inexpensive plummer's torch to be useful for small soldering jobs

re: Must-Have Metalsmithing Tools for Jewelers

Nancyzl — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 20:09:53 GMT

Love my tumbler!

re: Must-Have Metalsmithing Tools for Jewelers

handwork2 — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 19:07:32 GMT

I'm new to metal work, but love what I've done. I just purchased a deluxe set of letter punches in 3 sizes. I haven't even received them yet, but can't wait to experiment. I also have my eye on a dapping block and punches as my next purchase...

Kathy

re: Must-Have Metalsmithing Tools for Jewelers

Peter8 — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 18:24:58 GMT

From time to time I use a miniature butane-fueled torch, soldering equipment, a standard-size drill and bits, a center punch to dent the metal workpiece so as to prevent the drill bit from spinning off course, a scribe to mark the metal workpiece for drilling or cutting, Micro-Mesh polishing pads, plus a small vise and small clamps; also, as others have mentioned, a rotary tool with flexible shaft and bits (especially stone grinding bits and rubber polishing points) as well as a variant of the third-hand device. In the future a jeweler's saw and bench pin should come in useful.

Peter

re: Must-Have Metalsmithing Tools for Jewelers

kattzyze — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 18:15:27 GMT

Oooh, this book is making me drool--I would LOVE to own it--but--having been out of work all of 2009 and the job prospects in 2010 so far looking just as bleak--I'll have to pass. But at least I have most of the tools pictured--my hubby says he has a piece of steel, possibly a small anvil he thinks will work--and if I dug around in his tools I'd probably find a nylon mallet and a ball-peen hammer--I do have a flat face/nail-pulling hammer--He gets a look of fear on his face when I mention playing with power tools--even the Dremel-- and he is trying to talk me out of wanting to learn to solder as well-- anyway-- I have most of what I need and a degree from the "McGyver School of Engineering" where the motto is--"necessity is the Mother of Invention--and we don't mean Frank Zappa". :D