[Jewelry making - Article 00558] - Re: [Orchid] "Orchid in Print" Book Series Announced

[Pam Chott]

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Hi Karen.  

    What a great idea.  It will be a wonderful resource and will make a
    perfect gift to give (or request  :-)  ) 

>     . . . Please send me your bench tricks, your tips, and all the
>     innovative techniques that make your flex shaft special. 

    Don't know that this makes my flex shaft special, but it works
    beautifully for me.  Coming into jewelry making with a lapidary
    background, I found that holding the flex shaft in my right hand to
    use in the "normal" way was a pain in the butt - and a mess in the
    face! 

    I had an old drill press (garage sale find) with a work table
    extended from the main column on an adjustable-height arm.  I set the
    contraption up next to my table top dust-collector with the arm
    extended from the left side into the work area, under the shield.  I
    attached the flex shaft motor to the top of the drill press column
    and for added stability, I placed a heavy chunk of metal (garage sale
    find) on the base of the drill press.  I nestled the flex shaft
    handpiece into a convenient v-shaped depression on the table thingey
    and tightly strapped it in place using two 10 inch long Velcro straps
    (from the sporting goods store - backpackers' gizmos).  Now I use
    both hands to bring the work to the flex shaft, using it like a
    grinding wheel or work arbor. Since the handpiece is reversed to the
    left side, dust and debris is flung into the dust collector and away
    from my face. I still wear a dust mask because I have only one pair
    of lungs. 

    This set up doesn't work for drilling, but I keep a rechargeable
    Dremel mini-mite on my bench for such needs. 

>         I am also looking for your input for your favorite handpiece,
>     motor, bur, bit, polishing compound or abrasive.  I need the must
>     haves, wish you had and can't possibly live without. 

    I love my true-running Swiss-madeTechno handpiece and having a quick
    change (collet) capability is a MUST!  The time saved in changing
    work pieces will more than pay for it in short order. 

    I don't really think anyone can do without the 3M radial bristle
    discs! I've recently added the pale green and peach radial disks but
    unfortunately, I have these only in the smaller 1/2" diameter and
    that doesn't allow much clearance from the end of the mandrel so I
    can't get down into narrow spaces without the danger of bonking the
    metal on the screw head.  As you might guess, my work is a bit larger
    than tiny! 

    To save more time and add convenience when using the flex shaft, I
    bought lots of mandrels with the removable screw on the end - only
    about a buck apiece. 

    I load up multiples with my favorite abrasive disks, rods, and other
    consumables so that I have an immediate replacement if one wears out
    in the middle of a job. 

    I have each color of 3/4" 3M's radial discs loaded.  Additionally, I
    make up several mandrels for the blue disks which are my absolute
    favorite:  

    Two stacked for working narrow places 

    4 to 6 stacked for working larger swath (I use these for a satin
    finish on some  production pieces) 

    3 or 4 fresh disks for quick once-over on fabricated pieces to remove
    any remaining skuz from soldering, flux or Prip's 

    3 or 4 worn disks for that perfect soft, light touch-up or finish 

    My favorite polishing compound HAS to be the BLUE stuff I got from
    Ikohe through Blaine Lewis.  It's more aggressive than rouge but
    leaves a great finish and is cleaner than rouge - not greasy. (I
    think it's German) 

    Blaine Lewis also recommends what he called the "Sanding Disks of
    Everlasting".    Well named!  These zirconia sanding disks (also
    from Ikohe) almost DO NOT wear out.  I have mounted them in pairs on
    two mandrels: one set facing in for making points on pinstems, etc
    (an Orchid tip) and one set facing out so that I can work on either
    side.  

I can't wait to see everyone in Tucson!

Pam Chott
www.songofthephoenix.com

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