I love this third arm created by @copperhead_queen thank you so much for sharing 🙏🏻 - “Have to share the new tool I made for my soldering table. I know someone else has to be racking their nogg'n on this problem. I took an old multi-joint desk light... more
Today I rounded up all the amazing tumbler tips from the community. One thing we discussed since my other post about using copper wire to keep pieces together is that by using other materials: a silicon loop @genne_laakso , a tea holder... more
Thank you @balancedcreations for sharing how you make your own flux and pickle. - “Instead of using traditional pickle and flux I make my own, it is cheaper and less toxic. For the pickle I use white vinegar and salt. For the flux I mix borax and... more
Here is your tip for the day (😂) thank you so much for sharing this @christynatsumi this is brilliant - “I like to use a q-tip when I’m polishing little areas that are hard to get to. You can put any type of compound on and add to/take off extra fluff... more
If you work with tube wax regularly to create rings this Matt Miter Box & Saw saves so much time. I have mine held in a vise and then within seconds I can saw out multiple rings in whatever width I set. I used to saw pieces off of the tube and would... more
Here is a recipe to keep your tumbler clean and happy: run your tumbler with a 50/50 mix of distilled vinegar and water for 20 minutes. Rinse, then follow up with 1 tbsp baking soda and enough water to cover the shots for another twenty minutes. A... more
I thought it would be appropriate to post about polishing chain since that is the theme for the March Metalsmith Challenge. Use a pin of some sort to secure the chain to your bench pin. From there you can use 3M polishing papers, a polishing cloth... more
If you work in wax and are looking for a new tool to invest in you can’t go wrong with this bur. Thanks @songan_jewelry for sharing one of your favorite tools - “This tool is from my massive 2/32 bur collection, its an aggressive crosscut 2mm cylinder... more
I can’t help myself, I need to also post a tip today 😂in less than a month we have 1K in our community! I started this because I wanted to actually connect on social media with others that are passionate about sharing knowledge. The response has been... more
The METALSMITH CHALLENGE starts today! The theme this month is ⛓ CHAIN ⛓Rules: 1️⃣ HAVE FUN 2️⃣ TRY SOMETHING NEW 3️⃣SHARE WITH US! - the spirit of this challenge is to do a project or even a sample of a technique that is different from the normal... more
Confession time 😬 when I grind down gold pieces I don’t attempt to save the dust. I literally blow it off my bench pin like I’m blowing out a birthday candle. 🙊 One of my college professors always told us to collect filings on a clean piece of black... more
If you drink champagne start saving those corks! Thanks for the lovely tip @fwatsondesigns - “Use champagne corks as file handles! Their fat rounded tops fit perfectly into the heel of my palm, allowing my hand to adopt a natural, relaxed curve as I... more
Loved coming across this simple solution for storing your Smith Little Torch when not in use from @em_vee_es I have the magnetic stand sitting in my cart @riogrande, but am trying to keep to a tight budget 😫🤑 Do you have a torch stand? What piece of... more
Jeweler @junsuk11 provided a fantastic visual for his process of getting started with a new bench pin. If you don’t have an electric saw you can saw it by hand! Always sad to part with an old bench pin. 😭 Check out his work as well, it is incredible!... more
Jewelry teacher @midnightpacific modified a tool to get the job done - “I made a new custom stone-setting tool and finally got a perfectly snug fit on this bezel. 👌🏽 Phew! The stone was a tiny bit loose and I couldn't get the brass bezel tight enough... more
If you use a tumbler to polish small pieces this tip is a game changer @quiettimejewelry - “Tired of hunting through your tumbler material for those smaller components? Make a holder so that all of your pieces stay together🙌” I use the same technique ... more
My organization hero at the moment is jeweler @meg_girard, She has a dedicated area for packing all her orders. I feel calm just looking at it! As your business grows it’s always good to have a system. What has helped you organize orders?... more
3D models and precious metal clay?!? Tell us more @cheribourquedesigns - “The making of a fine silver pendant from start to finish... The design starts as a 3d printed stamp. The stamp is applied to fine silver clay. The silver clay is fired in a... more
