BenchTips

02/05/2026

ADD ELEGANCE, DETAIL, AND TEXTURE

An easy way to add complexity your work is with design stamps and punches. They're a little expensive to buy but can be made at home with common jewelers tools. Yard sale punches can be modified or 3-foot lengths of new tool steel are available for about $8.


"Making Your Own Design Stamps" on Amazon gives all the details of selecting best steels, carving or grinding the designs, and heat treating for a long useful life.

Get a copy at http://amzn.to/2fvf58T

07/12/2025

BRAD's BENCH TIPS - RAISING A STONE

If a cabochon sits too low in a bezel, the bezel hides a lot of the stone. The solution is to either sand down the bezel height or boost up the stone. But if you choose to raise it up, the question is what's the best material to use ?

I was taught to use fine sawdust but now think that might be a problem when used in rings. I reason that rings will frequently get wet, which would cause the sawdust to swell in size and push the stone against the bezel. Then when the sawdust dries out, the stone would be a little loose.

A better approach is to insert a flat sheet to boost up the stone. It can be a scrap of metal or some plastic from product packaging or old credit cards. Choose the one you prefer and cut a piece to loosely fit into the bezel. Then drop in the stone (with some dental floss) to check its height.

See more of my Smart Solutions for Jewelry Making at http://amazon.com/dp/B0BQ8YVLTJ/

They include hard to find ways for saving time and improving the quality of your work.

> Browse 100's of My Bench Tips from Years of Teaching at amazon.com/dp/B07D4B45JJ/

> Turn Scrap Silver into Neat Jewelry Items with Broom Casting at amazon.com//dp/B01M2AOTSF/

> Discover 24 Ways to Add Easy Textures Without a Press or Mill at amazon.com/dp/B0BPZKZ1J3/

> Learn to Make Your Own Punches & Design Stamps at amazon.com/dp/B01M2AOTSF/

> How to Choose the Best Tool Bits for The Job With Your Foredom or Dremel at amazon.com/dp/B074LG35ZV/

12/12/2024

DRILLING A STONE

One of the things my students often want to do is drill a hole through a piece of gemstone. The usual thought is to get a diamond drill, but I've been disappointed with them.

I think the reason is that the tip of the drill is just pivoting in the hole and doesn't cut well. Then when it looks like the drill isn’t cutting, the tendency is to push with more force, the drill gets hot, and the diamond grit abrades off.

A much better approach is to use what's called a core drill. This is a small hollow tube with a coating of diamond grit at the business end. The diamonds easily carve out a circular arc without undue pressure or heat buildup.

05/12/2024

EASY WAY TO SAW JUMP RINGS

Making enough jump rings for a bracelet or necklace can be a bit of work. The hardest part of the job for me is holding the coil firmly while sawing the rings. Any slip here will break a blade. The best way I've found is to make a little wood block to hold the coil.

04/10/2024

In a couple weeks, I have a class coming up on sand casting using the very fine Red Clay material from DIYcastings.com. I've used the material for years and like it for the great detail you get with it.

The apparatus is simple and let's you make a copy of your model in about 20 minutes. It's not very expensive to purchase, easy to learn, and stores away in a box that's only a foot wide by 16 inches long.

All you need is a way of melting a couple ounces of metal. I use an electric crucible, but a small melt of Sterling can even be done with a Bernz-O-Matic from the hardware store.

04/08/2024

My next jewelry workshop is coming up in a couple weeks here on the Eastern Shore. We'll be learning how to making bezels, fabricating a pendant, adding textures, doing some patination, and setting stones on a neat design of pendant.

03/07/2024

My next class here in Virginia is coming up in just 2 weeks. Making filigree earrings and pendants is a great way to start learning how to solder or practice skills you haven't used in a while. The Art League has a wonderful classroom with all the tools you need. Treat yourself to an exciting session with some new friends.

12/03/2024

Looking forward to some fun classes next month.

21/12/2023

17/12/2023

With the holidays close upon us, you may need a quickie gift for one of your jewelry or metalsmith friends. Please consider one of my Smart Solutions volumes at http://amazon.com/dp/B0BQ8YVLTJ Amazon can have it in your hands fast.

And for a friend who likes to curl up for the holidays with a good read, See "The Reluctant Farmer" - my memoir of our early married days building a farm and dealing with all my wife's quirky animals. It seems like everything on four legs is out to get me. Pick up your copy at amazon.com/dp/0988285851

The Reluctant Farmer of Whimsey Hill