[Jewelry making - Article 00415] - Re: [Orchid] Experience with GRS Bracelet Former

[Connie]

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Joneric,

    I just returned from Tucson where I met the maker of a fabulous
    low-tech bracelet former called Cindy's bender. Her site is
    cooltoolchick.com. 

    I could have gotten the thing there and not paid for shipping, but I
    seldom make cuff bracelets and want to be cautious and slow to buy
    new stuff unless it helps me with my existing styles. However I
    really liked this little lightweight tool. 

    At the show she showed how to first make a vertical curve in your
    strip of metal (silver) on a simple piece of wood. The wood is a
    block about 2 inches wide, 2 inches tall, and 4 to 6 inches long.
    The top is carved out (she drilled it to create 2 tops) in a concave
    channel, like a U-channel. I don't know how clear this description
    is, but it's like a swage type thing, easy to make at home. 

    You press your 26 gauge (or whatever you prefer) metal into it, then
    to create an anticlastic cuff bracelet, form it on the bender. The
    base of the bender is a hard rubbery nylon. 

    You can use the bender on textured metal, formed (synclastic or
    anti), and sweat-soldered (appliqued) metal without gouging or
    nicking. You can use it to make size adjustments on the spot. She
    was showing us and it was really simple and easy on the hands. 

    It has a ring bender built in as a bonus. This thing seems to do all
    that you would need, from your post. It costs 48 dollars. I am
    considering getting one myself now after writing all this. 

    The way to use it is simple. On the phone she can tell you concisely
    all the uses, tips and tricks I saw. Maybe she includes
    instructions. It was really great to see it in person. 

    I really enjoyed watching her use it. She was able to bend the same
    cuff bracelet all day for demos without ever making a lump or
    breaking it. She says she doesn't anneal, for her own preference. 

Connie
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