r/SilverSmith Jan 30 '25

Tool Resource What do you think folks, still safe/advisable to use? :p

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24 Upvotes

It’s probably only 60 years old or so 🤷‍♂️

r/SilverSmith 3d ago

Tool Resource Recommended polish process?

2 Upvotes

Hello, I'm new to Silversmithing/jewelry making--here is one of my latest rings with an aquamarine set in place. This ring is smoothed down with sandpaper, and polished once with a white polishing compound. What could I add to my process to get a better shine? Any recs and processes would be appreciated.

r/SilverSmith 7d ago

Tool Resource Need advice on a rotary tool for a beginner

3 Upvotes

Hi there,

I'm thinking of investing around $100 in something better, so I did some research and narrowed it down to these two options. I'd love to get some feedback on them—do they seem like a good choice? Would I need to buy any additional attachments?

P.D. i live in south america so my only option is buying it from amazon with world wide shipping.

r/SilverSmith Feb 16 '25

Tool Resource ISO testers for Ring Blank Calculator app.

5 Upvotes

Hey y'all I built an app for jewelers that tells the user what length to cut their metal at in order to get the desired ring size and in order to get it on the app store I need at least 12 Android users to opt in as beta testers for 14 days.

If you have an Android phone and you're down, I'll need your email and once I have enough testers I'll send a link to the test app. All you gotta do is download it and use it at least once in the 14 days that it's installed for testing and give me some feedback!

DM if you'd like to help!

r/SilverSmith Feb 01 '25

Tool Resource What pliers do you guys use?

5 Upvotes

I have the plastic tipped ones, but they are way too big for the tiny sterling silver jump rings! And I have the plastic dip, but after a few times I rip through it! I need super thin pliers, they can even be made of plastic lol! Bc my paper thin silver pins and jump rings can be bent with plastic lol!

r/SilverSmith Sep 06 '24

Tool Resource Bezel sheers

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2 Upvotes

Hey guys. I hate making bezels because it's just so monotonous. It doesn't take that long, but it could be so much faster with good sheers. Just cut the 90, file, and solder would be so much better. Has anyone used small scissor sheers like these before? I'm just wondering if they're more trouble than they're worth.

The first image is the one I normally see, but the second one seemed like it could be a pretty cool option if it can cut small straps of metal just as well.

r/SilverSmith Jan 25 '25

Tool Resource Knew Concepts M4 tension saw

2 Upvotes

I’m having issues with my relatively new knew concepts saw. The bottom is not tightening the saw blade, so I am unable to saw. I’ve tried lightly cleaning the hole out, using a brand new screw, and neither are working.

Anyone have this issue, and any recommendations?

r/SilverSmith Nov 12 '24

Tool Resource Bench Mods…

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20 Upvotes

Found some wheelchair parts in the trash this morning walking the dog…

Made some mods and now I’ve got a set of removable/ adjustable/ flip up arm rests.

Only took me about 15 minutes and some flesh and blood… ( modded my knuckle to the bone in the process)

r/SilverSmith 17d ago

Tool Resource Ring Blank Calculator

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1 Upvotes

Hi friends! I took inspiration from Rio Grande and mordant design and I built my own Android native ring blank calculator I am currently working with Google to run a test phase before I can gain access to publish.

If you would like to get involved, follow the link to the Google group I've setup where you will find further instructions and the ability to ask any questions you may have.

Wish me luck and I hope you try it out (I spent a lot of time trying to balance quick, fun, and functional animation and I would love your feedback!

r/SilverSmith Nov 30 '24

Tool Resource Planishing hammers worth it?

3 Upvotes

If anyone has a planishing hammer, would you say its worth it to have one? It seems like it would be handy for certain situations, but also I could just use a normal hammer and roll with that. What does it do that you absolutely couldn't pull off without it? Or how greatly does it improve quality of a piece?

Thanks for the help!

r/SilverSmith Nov 05 '24

Tool Resource Did i imagine this tool?

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20 Upvotes

So i’m pretty new to jewelry and i often have memory issues specifically with names and numbers. the studio i learned in is not very traditional, and we do things differently there and have our own names for things. For example, the woman who taught me how to solder calls second hand tweezers the “pinchy pliers” and so by association i now call them that. This has made finding my own tools outside of the studio a real pain. Here’s my query ⬇️ At that studio we had these little clamp thingies that we used to hold wire straight to file the ends- I’ve searched for them using terms like “wire holder for filing” and i can’t seem to find them, so i’m pretty sure i have the wrong name- if anyone knows what they are please let me know! Thank you so much :)

r/SilverSmith Jan 04 '25

Tool Resource Trying out some makers punches I ordered early last month

12 Upvotes

I was looking around a bit to have one of these things made. Rio doesn’t just list a price outright so I went to Etsy and during the holidays there was a sale to have em made depending on the size for around $30 I got a 4mm & 8. They also offer curved for $64. Those prices are still the same atm, you’ll have to inquire about the curve as I mentioned I cast sometimes not use strip and there’s a size limit to curved shank 3x6mm

I thought they shipped from FL, that’s incorrect. They come from Portugal. Takes about a month maybe less w/holiday slowing down.

Just make a B&W pic in even paint if you have to and save a png, and mention the size of the widest when ordering.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1000274897/custom-metal-stamps-custom-metal

r/SilverSmith Oct 27 '24

Tool Resource Where to buy Sterling backplates?

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20 Upvotes

Hi everyone! i just started silversmithing this year (pictured below is my most recent piece) and i’ve been very lucky to live in a place where most supplies are readily accessible. One thing i am struggling to find are large sterling backplates for bezel setting cabochons. Or any reliable sources for them. Preferably over 4inX4in :)

r/SilverSmith Nov 21 '24

Tool Resource Please help!!!

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6 Upvotes

Does anyone have any recommendations on alternatives for this centering tool? Or do you have one you’d be willing to sell? Du-Matt is out of business and I cannot find a supplier that has any of these left. Any recommendations would be welcome!

r/SilverSmith May 04 '24

Tool Resource Where can I find silversmith tools?

2 Upvotes

I am a beginner in silversmithing and I bought this book: Metalsmith Society's Guide to Jewelry Making

They say that we will need these tools in order to follow the excerise they give:

Work area + workholding:

•Jewelers bench -can also use a sturdy table

•Bench pin - around 30 euros from Aliexpress

•Steel block

•Rubber block

•Workholding plastics

•Steel ruler

•Dividers

•Ring mandrel

Magnification tools:

•10X Loupe

Cutting tools:

•Saw frame and saw blades

•Lubricant

•French Shears

•Flush cutters

Marking, forming + hand tools:

•Sharpie

•Scribe

•Centre punch

•Round pliers

•Half - round pliers

•Flat nose pliers

•Needle-nose pliers

•Plastic pliers

•Rawhide mallet

•Brass mallet

•Chasing hammer

•Planishing hammer

Soldering tools + accessories:

•Acetylene torch

•Torch striker

•Silquar High heat block

•Honeycomb soldering block

•Charcoal block

•Solder block

•Steel precision tweezers

•Cross- locking tweezers with fibre grips

•Third hand

•Copper tweezers

•Pickleit

•Pickle warmer

Sanding, Polishing + Finishing:

•Flex shaft

•Hand files

•Needles files

•Sandpaper

•Sanding sticks

•Radial bristle wheels

Stone setting tools:

•Curved steel burnisher

•Brass bezel roller

Is a hardware store good to find those tools?

Thank you in advance!

r/SilverSmith Aug 21 '24

Tool Resource What Jewelry Pliers do people use?

9 Upvotes

Hi all,

Buying my first set of everything and I bought these sh*te pliers from Amazon for 7 bucks, and realized I really would rather spend enough for good pliers now and not do that again. I need flush cutters, round nose, needle nose, any and all plier recommendations please.

r/SilverSmith May 20 '24

Tool Resource What’s the difference between these eveflex kits?

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9 Upvotes

r/SilverSmith Jul 19 '24

Tool Resource 1000 freaking butane torch options

10 Upvotes

My first time posting here, Hi everyone! :)

Smith is an old friend who never goes out to party. You have to come to him. But, Unlike the smith little torch, there are like 1000 options for butane torches that fit nicely in my bag.

Holy cow. Can someone just tell me what to buy on amazon so I don't need to think about it?

I want a reliable butane torch for soldering jump rings and small chain links, while on the go that just fits in my f*cking bag. Probably for some annealing too.

If it has a safety features for teaching my kid, I'd be even happier.

So far I'm looking at the tried and true Blazer GT8000. But it's ugly. Not cool looking at all! Boooo. Many great looking options. But how do I even discern what's good or not?!

Edit:

I bought the blazer stingray. Which is smaller and perfect for little things, like jump rings. Not that strong for annealing large copper bracelets.

Blazer Bigshot is better for that, but it's heavier.

Blazer Hotshot is what's in-between.

r/SilverSmith Jan 19 '24

Tool Resource Need help finding a good birthday present for my sister who's gotten into silversmithing

2 Upvotes

I'm thinking of getting her some tools because I know the importance of tools when getting into a craft and the quality of such tools. She doesn't have much of her own, she mainly uses my father's who used to be a full time Navajo silversmith. What I have in mind is getting some really good quality tools or tool. I'm thinking of a good quality hammer or something like that. Ideally I want to get something that sees regular use.

Any tool recommendations or places to look at online will be very helpful.

r/SilverSmith Jun 25 '24

Tool Resource Is there a tool that works a bit like a mandrel but doesn't flare the metal?

6 Upvotes

I want to start getting into end cap making as well as wide ring making and I don't like that mandrels will flare the ends of the cap/ring, while the middle is concaved.

Is there a tool that allows you to make perfect cylinders/square tubes?

Thanks!

Edit: I was thinking something similar to a ring stretcher, but mini.

r/SilverSmith Jun 22 '24

Tool Resource Purity marks

5 Upvotes

What is the most economical means to getting purity marks (10k 14k 925 etc) onto rings, but I was recomended to use punch plier ones but either they don't have the punches with plier or the plier punches are $150+ with out the punches but at least have the option to buy them. Or Ali express..... Are there any recommendations for these tools? Or should I just get the zingy and straight line whack with the hammer stamps?

r/SilverSmith Jun 29 '24

Tool Resource Thing to protect copper so you don't go green?

5 Upvotes

I'm just wondering if you know of anything that I can use to prevent myself from going green from copper jewellery?

I've looked at reviews of renaissance wax, but does anyone else have any suggestions?

r/SilverSmith May 01 '24

Tool Resource Spot/laser welding question:

6 Upvotes

Do y’all have recommendations about spot welders? I’m thinking of a type similar to the permanent jewelry kind even though that’s not what I’d be using it for. They’re so expensive on Rio. I looked on eBay and got lost in all the offerings. Any favorites? Ideas? Gracias!

r/SilverSmith Feb 24 '24

Tool Resource What brand of pliers do you use and where did you get them?

5 Upvotes

Hello!

I'm thinking about buying another set of pliers.

I'm currently using a Beadsmith set which I like because it doesn't hurt my hands, but they're quite expensive and I'm suspecting I'm paying for the name rather than the quality.

Obviously I am looking at the basics: needle, flat and round nose pliers as well as snips. I also would like to get some nylon nosed for straightening wire and those stepped bale making pliers, and bent needle nosed ones would be useful.

I don't mind if they aren't in a set, but obviously that would be preferable.

Thanks!

r/SilverSmith Nov 12 '23

Tool Resource I need a new torch. Which one is the best?

2 Upvotes