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This selected list describes a number of small, easily made tools which can improve efficiency, speed and ease of working at the bench. While by no means a complete listing of the tools one has at one's bench or of vernacular goldsmiths tools it demonstrates examples of the kind of thinking required for ease of working at the bench. Remember, speed and efficiency give one more creative time. Each tool represents a useful production aid and involves skills applicable to other areas of metalworking in it's making and discussion.... (1992) Complete Story
Double is a German word of french origin meaning rolled gold or gold fill material. I use it for the gold-fill material described here to differentiate it from the commercially produced sheet. Hand made double has different qualities than the manufactured metal. It is far less perfect, its finished size is limited by one's workshop facilities and counting hours it costs more per square centimeter....
(1985) Complete Story
While goldsmiths normally strive to have their solder flow easily, there are times you don't want it to flow, such as spilling over a decorated surface, if it 'freezes' a mechanism, or if it threatens to open a gap in a seam soldered earlier in a construction. The best way of not melting earlier seams is.... (2004) Complete Story
There is a great way of doing very complex and repeated solderings in one go. This very important method uses casting and soldering investment is to set up multiple solderings at once. The idea is that you take clay (I prefer real clay, not plasticine - less oil and grease present to impede soldering) and make a 'bed' of it, a slab. Some people like to use a soft wax like 'BonBell' wax that covers small round cheeses instead of clay.... (2005) Complete Story
Extremely clean metal surfaces give better results. See the article on Cleaning metal surfaces for more information on cleaning.... (1995) Complete Story
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