Here is another tool modification AND a tip when drilling holes from @teresa.matheson - “After drilling a hole in a piece of metal, I use a drill bit a little bigger than the hole and turn it a few times to clean up the edges. Always made my fingers... 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 twist two wires quickly and perfectly - insert the ends into a vice and your flexshaft. Once they are secured slowly run your flexshaft until you have the twist you desire. This will work harden the wires so if you want to work with... 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
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
Love this solution for efficiently making balls flat from @smith_tips - use painters tape to secure the balls to your steel block and then hammer them! You can see a video on their page and lots of other great tips! #metalsmithsociety... more
Love this #diy revolving solder chip holder from @leafandbadger - “Screw a watercolor pallet onto the underside of a surface to get a revolving solder chip holder. It usually has 12 cups which works great for easy, medium, and hard solders for silver,... 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
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
Here is another sandpaper storage solution from @Doris.in.the.hamptons (I can’t get enough 😂) she uses this gorgeous magazine holder from @ikeausa 🤯 I love the idea of just walking over to it, and grabbing what I need versus searching through my... more
If you use liquid flux here is a tip from @izao - “I use fluoron powder that I mix with water. It becomes very liquid (like water) so to apply it on the jewelry I use a syringe and needle. It makes the application of the flux more precise!” Thanks so... more
This is a essential tool every jeweler can make for themselves. Sanding sticks! 💕 I purchased a square dowel from the hardware store but I’ve also seen people use wooden sticks of all types (tell me about yours in the comments 😏) cut the sand paper... more
If you are forming round bezels often, use this tip from @refraction_manufacturing - invest in concave and round forming pliers, they are a game changer! “First I bend up the ends of the bezel and then I bend the center so it does not warp out of... more
When I’m soldering a clasp onto a chain, I protect the clasp with heat shield. It helps prevent the small elements of the machine made clasp from melting. This heat shield is also great for preventing chain from melting or accidentally getting... more
Here is an anti-rust recommendation from @dangbravegirl “I own hundreds of metal stamps in addition to the rest of my tools & Froglube saved me. For almost 2 years now! It's an all natural paste, USDA cert., non toxic, non hazardous & made to dissolve... more
I love this solution for holding a split shank ring in place while soldering from @meritmade - She used a split mandrel and binding wire! The split mandrel ensured her two rings were an equal distance apart. As jewelers we always have to be quick to... more
Last week in my stories we discussed what you can do to help combat/prevent/minimize tarnish on silver pieces when they are sitting out on display in boutiques. Thank you to each of you who reached out, (I got over 50 messages) I appreciate you all... more
Here is a #diy wax carving tool shared by @argenta.shop - “Cut the tip of a sewing needle and put it in a mechanical pencil to create a wax carving tool, perfect for details! The tip can be modified and you can also use a sewing machine needle which... more
If your bezel has a cutout on the back and you are using Jett set or something similar to hold it, it's hard to keep the plastic from oozing up into your bezel cup and raising your stone higher than it should be. Here is an awesome tip from @elleyo... more
When you need to file two identical pieces (like these cufflinks 😏) use this tip from @frk.stokholm and super glue them together 🤯 gently heat them up to remove the glue (in a well ventilated area of course💕) love this one! Thanks for sharing! If this... more
