It was requested I show how to heat Thermo-Loc. This is not the only way, just one way. đ You can buy a Teflon pad (I got mine as a starter kit from ottofrei1930 that comes with Thermoloc-Loc) this pad provides a surface to heat the thermoplastic with... more
Here is a #diytool from @sierrasilverstudio @sierrastonestudio - âThis is my favorite DIY tool. Itâs simple but mighty! With this tool, holding tiny pieces for filing/drilling/etc is easier, and the wood âjawsâ are grippy but donât mar the silver. The... more
#affiliate For this weekâs #tooltalktuesday I am showing off my  foredomelectric Angle Grinder Attachment (SKU:8501358 ) available from our friends gesswein.jewelry This tool is designed for use with the #30 Foredom Handpiece. I am securing it for... more
Here is a sawing tip from @maggiethebear - âHereâs at a tip on how I put my designs onto silver. I use double stick Scotch tape! Rubber cement is often a suggested adhesive, but I find that it reacts to the heat & sweat of my fingers, causing my... more
Here is a bench pin tip from @jennwellsstudio - âHere Iâm using an old leather wallet, cutting the outside off and then using that as a cover for my bench pin. You could also use any scrap leather. This allows me to work on pieces at my bench pin and... more
Here is a tip for opening a bezel đđ from @iamweathergirl - âI started using watchmakers tools to open bezels on my pieces for repairs and resizing so I donât ruin stones with heat. The tips of the tools are perfectly chamfered and polished so they... more
One immediate benefit of using my sunstoneweld Orion 150s Pulse Arc Welder has been working with chain. First I hold the link I want to weld with grounding tweezers that are attached to the welder. They allow the electrode to fire when I touch the... more
âĄď¸Apron RestockâĄď¸ if you are on my email list you already know âşď¸ I have three options: Black Denim (featured here) Black Cotton Canvas & Gray Cotton Canvas. I also have 2022 Moth Raglans available in the shop for those that are obsessed with that... more
Here is a jump ring tip from @lucywalkerjewellery - âHow to use your jump ring winder with the smaller mandrels that have no hole? đ All I can say any hole is a goal! And there is a perfect little hole right inside the chuck, just put a little bend in... more
Here is a tip for saving your metal dust from @kimafinejewelry - âI use regular black tissue paper to line the bench drawer in my standard Rio bench for setting jobs. It fits like a glove! It's easy to see small stones on the black when you drop them,... more
Trimming 28g (.32mm) bezel wire with Joyce Chen Scissors. When I need to trim bezel wire or a thin backplate, these are my go-to scissors for the job! I have also used them to cut bits of solder or other wires. They are extremely sharp! I found out... more
Here is a texturing tip from @martindenoch - "Using a hammer handpiece to create some interesting texture on a silver ring". Iâm mesmerized! Lol. This is a hand piece attachment used with a Foredom flex shaft. You can attach different anvils and they... more
Follow up to yesterdayâs reel âşď¸ a bunch of folks asked about how you go about setting thicker bezels. I often hammer set when working with bezels that are .6mm-1mm thick. This can be done in several ways! In this video Iâm using a setting punch made... more
This demo on shaping thick bezel wire (that is 1mm + in thickness) is sponsored by our friends at lindstromtools Using their ergonomic RX series pliers I make small bends in my annealed wire, shaping and comparing it against my stone. I like to... more
Here is a post soldering tip from @baystateopals - âEven the most experienced jeweler sometimes has solder that doesnât flow completely when soldering a bezel to a backplate. It can be difficult to see where more solder is needed. We use a flashlight... more
Here is a refining tip from @jen_surine - âThis tip is one I picked up from @metalsmithsociety a while back, but it is such a great one, I had to share. Running my tumbler water through a coffee filter catches particles of silver and gold. It... more
Here are some bezel setting tips from @spiritmountainsilver - âDuring the stone setting process a lot can go wrong⌠especially with a square cut stone. The corners tend to be very fragile and one wrong slip or too much pressure and welp, youâve got a... more
For this weekâs #tooltalktuesday Iâm sharing a new tool I got that attaches to my Foredom H.30 Handpiece (which is the standard one you get with an SR flex shaft) the Foredom Belt Sander Attachment. This little tool is great for sanding my little... more
Here is a tip for when creating with a shot plate from @buenaonda.handmade - âI use my @pepetools_usa disc cutter to trim up those pesky edges on round shot. Once you have your shot mold, determine which hole itâs going to fit, then flip it upside... more
Here is a polishing tip from @isabelasopkova - âI would like to share my tip for cleaning small bezels after soldering, it is perfect for white gold especially. I use a interdental brush with polishing paste and it works very good :))â Thanks for... more
