If you like getting a matte or scratched finish on your work I created this photo tutorial on how to create your own @scotchbrite_3m mandrel for your flexshaft. The supplies you need are one Scotch-Brite general purpose scouring pad, one screw... more
This is brilliant @tte.designs - “You may be looking at this & think ‘what the heck?’ Found this rolling IV pole at my #thriftshop #volunteer gig and thought it would be perfect in the studio for my new #flexshaft !” 🙌🏻 If you are repurposing... more
Love this adaptation for a ring clamp to hold a ring while polishing the inside @fibre.and.flame - “I cut some grooves in my ring clamp to make it easier to file and polish the inside. Those buggers get hot when you take the polishing bit to them with... more
Here is a two part tip if you use #handyflux - found in an article on the @riogrande blog where jeweler @marknelson5121 shared some wisdom - “ The stuff (Handy Flux) comes thick as paste that can be hard to use, so I mix it in a separate container... more
Thank you so much for sending me this unique technique @sophiabrand -“My tip is glass beads when you solder a moving mechanism (hinge). It's easy to loosen them and they prevent small parts from soldering together!” 🙏🏻 anyone else ever try this? Or... more
Keeping stones from getting misplaced or mixed up while in the process of setting multiple pieces truly is an art, thanks for sharing your method @michelecdodge ”I use sticky wax to organize stones when I'm setting.” If you have another way send me a... more
This tip for carving wax bezels is genius! Thanks for sharing @kastjewelryco ”Finally getting the hang of a technique I learned at Kate Wolf’s wax carving course - using my flexshaft drill press to open up wax bezels. It’s so much faster than carving... more
This method of protecting a stone while polishing is pure genius, thank you so much @fione_harvey - “3M Scotch- Blue Painter's Tape is a must and go to for me. I use it to protect stone(s) when cleaning the surrounding metal after setting. I usually... more
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
