Recent Cool Tools columns
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My favorite thing about this craft is sharing information
with other makers. The master and apprentice relationship traditional to goldsmithing
has evolved at the speed of the Internet — with instant gratification and
maker to maker communication from anywhere to anywhere. Seemingly insurmountable
problems or questions can be answered at the speed of instant messaging or e-mail.
You can “know” people
from around the corner or around the globe, and if your immediate circle can’t
answer something, chances are somebody will know who to ask somewhere else. Online
forums, chat rooms, blogs, and message boards allow makers to ask and answer
whatever is on their minds. One thing that has not changed about jewelry makers,
though, is the willingness to share what they’ve
learned. This month, I offer some tips you’ve sent me over the past few
months. Keep sending them in and I’ll keep trying
them out and showing them here — I love trying
and reading what’s on your mind.
TOM SAASK, TORONTO, CANADA
 Although
more precisely a tool holder than a tool, this beautiful old thing winds up being
in my hand a lot. Burs, twist drills, files, all work fine. The Jacobs chuck came
off an otherwise broken hand drill. The handle is boxwood and still shows the
saw marks from the day it was cut. The end grain of the handle is polished so
you can read the text from the top of a reflected light bulb in it. One more tip:
never discard the little packages of desiccant that come in clothing packaging,
electronic equipment, or those humidity-stabilizing tops in health care or pharmacy
items. Throw them all into your tool drawers. Your carbon steel will love you.
LEDA ROGERS, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
 Cut
a metal strip to the desired length, plus extra for cutting a point on Here’s
a soldering trick that I know I will be using from now on. When I want to solder
a bezel down on a large backing, I use nickels to build up different levels when
soldering two or more planes on one piece. Nickels have a higher melting point
than silver and they will not melt onto your piece. I set up a bezel on a base,
and position a strip of 20-gauge silver to extend past the widest part of the
bezel. I balance four nickels on top of the strip on either side to weigh the
bezel down just enough so there are no gaps between it and the base. As a second
bonus, the bezel doesn’t slide around and out of position when the flux
bubbles up, as it sometimes does.
MONROE J. MECHLING, STEUBENVILLE,
OHIO
I was taught not to get a hardened set of beading tools.
I think it is better to get a bead block from one of the tool vendors and make
your own beading tools from 1⁄8" unhardened drill rod. The reason
is simple: a hard tool will chip a stone if the cup is rolled against it with
too much pressure. A soft punch will roll the punch cup and goof up the tool
end. A few taps in the bead block will correct this, and it’s
easy to do and better than ruining the stone.
LINDA STILES SMITH, DAYTON, OHIO
I invented a holder that keeps metal clay syringes not only ready
to use but keeps the clay in the syringe in perfect condition to use for months!
My syringe holder was created from a need to keep multiple syringes from drying
out in my studio. Because I work with several different tips, I wanted to have
each ready to use without having to change them, but I also didn’t
want to have several syringes drying up if I forgot to put water in my open glass.
I also observed that many people would tip over plastic glasses and jars, spilling
water all over the worktop, so, in comes Linda’s
Lid! The glass jar has a good weight to it so it won’t be tipped over.
A plastic lid is fitted with four lined holes that each accommodate a syringe
held suspended in the water you add to the bottom of the jar. Even when not filling
the holes with syringes, the lid keeps the evaporation of the water to a minimum.
The extra holes can be used to keep a water-filled syringe at the ready, or even
a suspended paint brush in the water. I set my holder into the bottom of my toolbox
when I go out to teach with no worries of spillage or dried syringes.
Cool Tools is a regular feature of Jewelry Artist. If you have a tool you would
like featured, a useful tool modification, or interesting bench trick to suggest,
or, if you'd like to join our studio of experts, contact Helen Driggs, Managing
Editor, Jewelry Artist, 300 Chesterfield Parkway, Suite 100, Malvern, PA 19355,
or hdriggs@interweave.com, subject line "Cool Tools." Please include your complete
contact information with all submissions.
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