[Jewelry making - Article 00304] - Re: [Orchid] Getting even contours

[Jeff Demand]

========[ Invite a Friend - http://www.ganoksin.com/invite.htm  ]========

Joel,

    LOL... I find that it is much easier to see if two lines are
    parallel (or uniformly tapered) than trying to read a complex curved
    surface. I'll keep corners and flats for as long as possible in both
    wax and metal. 

    My method of keeping a rounded surface fair and symmetrical is to
    actually file flats. To go from a rectangular section band to a
    comfort section I'll chamfer all similar corners, chamfer width must
    be even. Now chamfer the two corners you just created. Repeat until
    you get tired or can't see the width of the surfaces or the corners.
    Emery with soft backed paper or an orange wax solvent if carving. I
    usually just use my palm and fingers as the backing. With gold and
    silver tripoli or bobbing can often replace the emery step, not with
    platinum. It is also important to work all similar surfaces together
    for symmetry, don't completely do one side before starting on the
    other. 

    Another symmetry tip is to realise that there is a bias in how your
    hands move, file clockwise and flip the piece and file counter
    clockwise. 

    Just be careful, I once was stuck with fixing another jewellers 20
    finished rings with exactly the same problems you are facing;
    instructions from far above for minimal weight loss of course :-) 

Jeff
Demand Designs
Analog/Digital Modelling & Goldsmithing
http://www.gmavt.net/~jdemand
____________________________________________________________________
T h e   O r c h i d   L i s t
Open Electronic Forum for Jewelry Manufacturing Methods and Procedures
____________________________________________________________________
Orchid FAQ:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/faq.htm
Orchid Archives:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/archive
Orchid Galleries:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/gallery.htm
Invite a Friend:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/invite.htm
____________________________________________________________________
Tips From The Jeweler's Bench - Article Archive
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/tip_sear.htm
The Jeweler's Selected Bibliography List
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/jewelry-books
Buy Orchid Jewelry:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/shop
____________________________________________________________________
-Unsubscribe:
-Email: orchid-request AT ganoksin.com Body=unsubscribe subject=blank
____________________________________________________________________