Metalsmith Society Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tips

Here is a tip for keeping a heavy gauge ring together while soldering - use stainless steel binding wire! Simply wrap it around and then use a pair of pliers to twist closed. I personally like 20-24 gauge binding wire but you can find uses for all... more

Thank you @persta.paris for this DIY sanding disc tip - “I cut sandpaper discs with a small machine, a hole punch found in a stationery shop, I think all stationery shops sell them :) it takes 1 second to get a perfect round. Very simple and... more

How do you sign your work? I have been searching for some different options for a custom stamp to mark my jewelry and was super excited when jeweler @mollyavellarjewelry told me all about hers from @infinitystampsinc (this sounds like an ad 😂 but I... more

@sunlightsilver post got me thinking about my @foredomelectric flexshaft and curious what everyone else’s favorite mandrels are? I’ve been using the @3m radial polishing discs since I was in college ten years ago! Next time you’re at your bench take... more

Thanks for sharing this helpful tip for soldering earring posts @seattlefindings - “When soldering an ear post, make sure to make a notch where your post will sit. It makes a stronger and straighter joint. We like doing this by hand, with a drill bit... more

@seekerjewellery not only makes incredible jewelry but she also chops up rubber kitchen gloves to save her nails when polishing 💅🏻 RIP all the manicures I ruined, I’ll use this trick next time 🙏🏻 #metalsmithsociety #metalsmithy #polishing... more

Talented jeweler @nadinekieftjewelry shared her favorite attachment for her flexshaft. It’s a diamond drill bill that she uses to carve metal! Her gorgeous earrings (in the last pic) were carved not in wax but in metal. 😍 Thanks so much for sharing... more

Clogged files got you down? @andrewberryuk has your solution- “Push the straight edge of a piece of copper parallel across the teeth. This will easily remove the clogged up material and prolong the life of your file.” #metalsmithsociety... more

I store my saw blades in cigar tubes. You could even take it a step further and color code the tubes to quickly identify which are which. #metalsmithsociety #jewelrytools #sawbladestorage #metalsmith #metalsmithy

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

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 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