Jewelry makers may use a variety of power tools and shop machines. Learn techniques and tips for getting the most from your power equipment.
The StarWeld microwelders are easy-to-use, low-maintenance laser welders for manual spot and seam welding, currently used in such industries as jewelry manufacturing and repair, dental and medical, electronics, tooling and repair. The StarWeld performance system, boasts improved ergonomics for operator…
For the past 10 years, MJSA has recognized the technological advances and products that are making a difference in the jewelry industry today and as we move into the future. The honorees are selected with the guidance of the esteemed…
The new Performance redefines the manual laser welding with many application-driven innovations and numerous technical refinements in an entirely newly designed housing. Rofin took a close look at how users were using their lasers and entirely redesigned the working chamber…
Features industrial-grade heavy-duty high-output transformers oversized heat sinks built-in cooling fan to prevent overheating and an output current that is 99% filtered to ensure maximum and repeatable results. Insulated lead and clamp set. Adjustable voltage from 0-13v.
Leading the way in Desktop Resolution. Realize your CAD designs quickly with the PICO 2, the industry leading desktop printer for direct production of jewelry casting patterns and master models. Print up to 20 parts in less than 1 hour….
The PICO2 HD delivers extraordinary resolution and build capacity to your desktop. It is ideal for the production of jewelry casting patterns and master models with a build envelope large enough to print bangles and larger items. Print up to…
This heavy-duty model of the revolutionary Avalon wet tumbler is the perfect choice for any busy, high-production environment. The Avalon tumbler design is more tapered at the top than competing models, creating an efficient tumbling pattern of media and jewelry…
Saving some dollars on equipment can be really helpful to a shop’s bottom line. Often tools and equipment from other industries prove useful, and are sometimes cheaper than regular tool suppliers. I think this behavior used to be called ‘scrounging’.
With the Nd:Yag Micro Laser Welders, being used by the jewelry, and other industrial manufacturing / repair industries, there is a very simple test that can provide a lot of information regarding the integrity of the laser beam. In the…
This article lists the following useful bench tools for jewelers including contact information where they can be purchased or ordered. Grobet USA LED Bench Lamp Suitable for use at the bench or on the sales floor, the Grobet USA LED Bench…
Connections are an important part of jewelry manufacturing. We make them with suppliers, with retailers, even with the people who buy and wear our jewelry. But some of the most important connections are those we make between metals. Whether creating custom one-offs or producing in volume, jewelers must constantly make physical connections between metal objects ear posts to earrings, clasps to chains, and jump rings to nearly everything.
BB70 is a multifunctional engraving and cutting machine that engraves on pendants the inside of a ring or bangle and the outside of a ring or bangle. The BB70 will create beautiful and lasting letters as well as patterns quickly…
When it comes to quickly and accurately forming metal, hydraulic power is peerless-and there’s no better hydraulic equipment than a Bonny Doon press.
Harold O’Connor’s latest book is both logical and well laid out and will be a valuable reference to anyone using the flexshaft machine for either production work or experimentation. The tool, the flexshaft machine, is not glorified in the text…
Almost any metal or hard plastic item can be buffed to a high polish or a satin sheen with the correct buffing wheel and the proper polishing compound. This includes copper pots, doorknobs, golf clubs and switch plates, to name a few common items. The molecular composition of different metals is as different as the appearance, density and luster of the metals themselves. To polish and enhance the shine on a beautiful piece of jewelry requires a totally different set of polishes and buffs than to get a real professional shine.
carve your computer-generated designs with incredible detail-and surprising speed-right on your desktop (using your own computer and monitor) with the fast, affordable, space-conscious Carbide3D Nomad 883 Pro CNC mill. The Nomad 883 Pro fits easily into almost any shop or…
A cardboard disc sander is a very useful tool. One uses the side or large flap of a fairly rigid corrugated cardboard box. Make sure it has not been bent or creased to damage its rigidity. Make sure one side is smooth.
This segment from the 2017 MJSA Journal November issue is dedicated to metals, tools, software and more that aids jewelers and designers in their quest to create their masterpieces. In this article we talk about Casting Tools and Products. See…
For someone new to the jewelry industry, the sheer assortment of tools and equipment in the typical workshop can be overwhelming. That’s especially true when it comes to technology, which changes so rapidly. If you’ve invested in your own computer-aided…
AJM Magazine asked me to perform a comparative analysis of three welding systems performance in several different precious metal welding applications. I was to analyze the PUK 2 spot welder, which was developed by Lampert Tools USA Inc. and supplied to me by SEP Jewelry Tools of Chicago; the Mini Pulse III from Aelectronic Bonding Inc. (ABI) in Cranston, Rhode Island; and a laser welder. (I used my Starweld by Rofin-Baasel, which I purchased from Manufacturing Technologies in San Diego , but the results presented in this article are accurate for most laser welders used in the jewelry industry.)…
Durston rolling mills are recognized for reliability, robust construction and high quality for strength and accuracy you can depend on.
Durston is the foremost manufacturer of rolling mills throughout the world. They are recognized for their reliability robust construction high quality and fine finish.These are exactly the same as their standard models but without the extension rollers on the end….
High precision ring stretcher/reducer featuring a six spline mandrel and 12 polished countersunk dies. This high-quality ring stretcher ensures exceptionally accurate ring sizing. Its countersunk polished steel reducing plate will reduce bands up to 12mm wide.
This segment from the 2017 MJSA Journal November issue is dedicated to metals, tools, software and more that aids jewelers and designers in their quest to create their masterpieces. In this article we talk about Engraving Machines. See related topics:…
You pride yourself on your pristine shop. Your equipment is laid out for maximum efficiency, your tools are stored in a logical, user-friendly manner, and you can monitor workflow effectively because you are so organized. But when was the…
Racine and his son, Ittai, a physicist by profession but a top engineer, passed on purchasing the dated facility and equipment, instead opening a new tech-savvy casting workshop. It was here that they designed the Etype automated wax injection system that earned them a 2011 MJSA Thinking Ahead Award. The system features a motorized conveyor belt that brings barcoded molds to an injection station. There they are read and injected using the corresponding stored parameters, then returned on the conveyor belt to a worker, who removes the wax and starts the process over again. The number of wax injection stations used varies between one and four, depending on the volume needs of the manufacturer.
Since their introduction to the jewelry industry, laser welders have been lauded for their speed, accuracy, and convenience of use. Retail stores and job shops have made sizable investments in these machines, which are guaranteed to simplify day-to-day repairs such as fixing damage next to stones and cleaning up porosity in castings. But it has only been in the last few years that the technology has started to turn up in higher volume production settings. Now, however, as laser welders become faster, more user-friendly, and suitable for a wider range of jewelry applications, they are finding new homes as standard equipment on the manufacturing shop floor.
This segment from the 2017 MJSA Journal November issue is dedicated to metals, tools, software and more that aids jewelers and designers in their quest to create their masterpieces. In this article we talk about Finishing Machines. See related topics:…
A good selection of burs may be had from your dentist. Dentists often throw out burrs which still have a reasonable life left in them for a jeweller. The same goes for the probes and other tools. Some dentists are nervous about giving tools away.
The 1/6 HP reversible SR Motor with FCT foot-operated speed control H.20 Hand piece and 43-piece accessory kit offers superior performance and combines all of the features expected. H.20 Handpiece comes with a 1.5mm allen wrench to adjust collet tension….
When manufacturing and repairing jewelry products, rotary equipment is essential to the process. Nothing is more frustrating or potentially damaging to the task than equipment that offers less than smooth, reliable and strong performance. The Foredom TX flexible shaft is capable of delivering this and more, resulting in greater efficiency, consistency and valuable time savings with the job at hand.
This apparatus is equipped with 2 tanks in pyrex glass of 1 liter capacity each with separate power supply. The degreasing tank has a fixed voltage of 7.5 volts 10 A max. the rhodium plating tank has voltage adjustable by…
This segment from the 2017 MJSA Journal November issue is dedicated to metals, tools, software and more that aids jewelers and designers in their quest to create their masterpieces. In this article we talk about Gem Identification Machines. See related…
Gold alloys can be analyzed quickly and without being destroyed with the help of X-ray fluorescence (XRF). The advantages compared to destructive measurement methods mean that XRF is predestined for application on valuable specimens (fig. 1) or to measure large…
Besides the safety instructions that you get from a tool manufacturer in the tool manual it may be necessary for you to write your own sets of rules up to keep you out of trouble. This is especially important with employees. What follows is an example of thinking about what can go wrong with a tool. The tool used as an example is a mounted grinder. You can do the same sort of rule compilation with all the tools in your shop. See the “General Safety Rules for Tools” article as a starting point, then each tool will have certain idiosyncrasies which need to be noted. Think of it as “What advice would I give to someone to keep them out ot trouble on this machine?”.
Trusted by hand engravers and jewelers for years the GRS Acrobat stand has been redesigned with a sleek form specifically for the high-powered Leica A60 microscope. The new Acrobat Versa features a rigid frame that makes positioning easy a magnetic…
This new power tool offers basic work capability and pneumatic impact power for stone setting and engraving at less cost than the fully-featured machines. Like all GRS¨ power tools the GraverSmith reduces worker fatigue increases production and improves quality. A…
In the course of my 30 years in the jewelry industry, I can recall many instances of damaged equipment and potentially dangerous situations caused by how the handpiece is connected to the flexshaft. Here are a few observations that can make your equipment last longer and prevent possible injury.
The flexible shaft machine, commonly called a “flexshaft,” is a combination of a motor, handpiece and the flexible shaft that connects the two. The machine is usually operated by a foot pedal. Because jewelers often use more than one handpiece during the workday, the procedure of connecting a handpiece to the flexible shaft is a common operation, but is often done incorrectly.
You will require a 5 to 6 inch by 3 inch wide brass or copper tube, silver solder a cover on both ends a thicker one or double up for the base to retain the heat. Ideally the tube and top plate should be 1/8th inch thick with the base plate being.
Pressing Matters by Tina Wojtkielo Snyder This month, we asked Lisa Krikawa of Tucson: If you were stranded on an island (that just happened to have a bench in the middle and some metal hanging around), what tool would you want to have that allows you to do things you can’t do with any other tool?.
About Anvils, Buffing Machines, Casting Machines, Drill Press Machines, Flexible Shafts, Hydraulic Press Machines, Rolling Mills and more…
I have an intimate relationship with my tool collection. Sometimes the needs of a particular jewelry project drive me to purchase a new tool, while other times I’m compelled to add a tool to my collection simply because of its…
The innovative JoolTool™ X sharpening and polishing system is ideal for fine jewelry, woodworking and more. Unlike most sharpening and polishing systems, you can work from the underside of your workpiece, and have a clear view the entire time, due…
First, the ‘n’ really is silent, at least according to the American Heritage Dictionary. There are kilns as big as your house, used for cooking everything from grain to stone, but we don’t need to concern ourselves with those. Even in the sub-sub-category of benchtop electric kilns there are plenty of questions. Let’s take a look at a few.
This segment from the 2017 MJSA Journal November issue is dedicated to metals, tools, software and more that aids jewelers and designers in their quest to create their masterpieces. In this article we talk about Laser Technology. See related topics:…
The one tool that allows each of these jewelers to do their jobs better is a laser welder, a technological advancement that is becoming increasingly common in trade shops and manufacturing facilities. By using a sharply focused beam of light to produce very high heat in a small area, lasers are allowing jewelers to routinely accomplish tasks that would once have been either impossible or too time consuming to be worthwhile.
This article will run over multiple issues of Bench Magazine. I plan to start with the basics of welding and write about the characteristics of the beam and how we use those characteristics to weld. It is important to understand…
In my last article I wrote about the various adjustable parameters, and the effects of changing those parameters. In this article I hope to explain, in better detail, how laser beam energy is focused. I will likely be referring to…
Back when I was going to school, if I had known I would be writing an article about laser welding geometry I would have paid more attention in all my math classes, not to mention my English composition classes. We…
When first starting to work with the laser welders, operators should experiment with five or six different alloys commonly used. It is also recommended to source different types of alloys in casting and strip/stamping form. This gives the operator a better understanding of the composition and thermal conductivity of the metals. Since close attention must be paid to the thickness or thinness, shape, and fit of the parts to be welded, operators should test-weld some parts together at different settings (voltage, pulse length, beam diameter), then cut a cross section of the piece to check the weld depth. This exercise provides the operator with a feel for the different alloys and how they react to various power levels.
In laser welding of Sterling Silver ‘ lower silver bearing alloys (coin silver) we have about seven choices in laser wire.
This paper is initiated with the reference that one selects process because of aesthetic need. The premise of technology as an end in itself insures the triumph of the means (process) over the ends (aesthetic). Only ones aesthetic ends deserve a primary position in this hierarchy. This paper is submitted not as a redundant recital of a machine tool technology already supported by vast volumes of technical literature; rather, it seeks to nourish one’s aesthetic vocabulary which consequently may demand the use of that technology.The title, “Machine Tool Technology: An Aesthetic Application”, is the result of these thoughts.
The first feature you may notice is the rectangular bowl that sits atop this magnetic super-agitating MIT-300A pin finisher. This is part of the equation but the real magic happens inside the stainless steel housing. There, a powerful, 1hp motor…
Every month MJSA choose new products that they feature on their monthly publication. Here are the three MJSA July 2017 New Products. Tune Up Kits Designed for use with the Foredom flex shaft, these 32-piece Tune-Up Kits allow users to…
Every month MJSA choose new products that they feature on their monthly publication. Here are the three MJSA June 2017 New Products. Foredom Mobile Work Station Developed for use in small or crowded workspaces, the Foredom Mobile Work Station is…
We use a method for cutting down firescale when using a Presto-Lite Torch along with an acetylene B tank. The torch tips are engineered to take in so much gas through the gas orifice and so much air through the air inlet ventura so they burn to their max.
With highly efficient material removal, dual motor capabilities and compact portability, this micro-motor from NSK packs a powerful punch for your cutting, grinding and shaping tasks–wherever they may be.
The NSK Sheenus Neo System can be used for grinding polishing removing burs and mirror-finishing on a wide range of materials from aluminum dies to cemented carbide dies. It is also perfect for plastic molds precision molds electronic dies ceramic…
The most versatile and complete welding solution for the master jeweler. Designed with jewelers in mind the Orion Pulse 150i has all the critical features necessary to design create and repair jewelry watches eyeglasses and more. The most advanced micro…
Built with leading-edge technology that is continually improving, the mPulse Plus from Orion allows almost any shop to cost-effectively add arc-welding capability to their processes. This small powerhouse is priced at a fraction of full-function Orion pulse arc welding machines…
The Orion 200i_ (patent pending) is an evolution in micro pulse arc welding. Built on the stability of the Orion platform the Orion 200i_ takes that next leap forward by delivering the most innovative and versatile welder on the market…
Using 1 inch by 11 inch belts with a 4.25-inch working surface, this sander fits onto a flex-shaft with a quick-release collar. It can be clamped onto a table or bench and is adjustable to many angles. An optional mounting attachment is available for use with the GRS Benchmate. The sander comes with five assorted belts in a variety of grits from very coarse to very fine. Why it’s one of Pat Pruitt’s coolest tools.
This segment from the 2017 MJSA Journal November issue is dedicated to metals, tools, software and more that aids jewelers and designers in their quest to create their masterpieces. In this article we talk about Pollution Control / Metal Recovery….
All-steel construction, mounts to any work surface
Laser technology is still so new to our industry and there is still so much to discover. Fortunately, I believe that as jewelers, we are the ones left to do a lot of the discovering. My only intention with this…
In my last article about welding nickel white gold, (Ni WG),I said I would weld the same Ni WG shank by using pulse shaping, (PS). I have since realized that I need to write more about pulse shaping before I…
The first time I saw a machine for pumice finishing and brass wire brushing was at the School for American Craftsmen. I don’t know if it is available as a ready-to-use product as I have never seen it in a…
This production-sized oven features simple, digital programming. These production-sized ovens feature simple, digital programming, sturdy stainless steel oven cabinets and interior firebrick construction with exposed side-wall elements to ensure efficient, even heating and fast, effective burnouts.
The Rio 1000 enameling kiln features three pre-set firing temperatures for enamels and six that you can define. Use the exclusive Rio controller to set and maintain firing temperatures. Perfect for all types of enameling, including tall pieces. Includes ample…
If you’re a bench jeweler who loves her flex-shaft, you may consider adding a micromotor to your toolbox. That’s what San Francisco–based jewelry artist and Revere Academy instructor Ronda Coryell did recently when she purchased a Foredom K.1050 brushless micromotor—and…
While it is clearly impossible to give a set of rules for each tool and procedure that goldsmiths use, this section gives some examples of the kinds of rules that may be helpful to review when using powered equipment. hand tools and processes have been left out, primarily because their dangers tend to be of the “don’t put your hands in the way of things that might snap or slip” kind. Many specific hints associated with hand tools can be found in the procedures section.
This article lists the basic tools someone learning stonesetting might want to have around. One would of course add to this list..
If the thought of buying a laser welder gives the accountant in you cardiac arrest, you may have a more affordable option. The PUK 2 by Lampert Tools Inc. in Chicago is a spot welder that performs many of the same tasks that a laser welder can, such as repairing porosity and welding next to gemstones. Although it won’t make as small of a weld as a laser, nor does it share a laser’s machine-gun rapidity, the PUK 2 may be an affordable alternative for some small shops.
In my 25 years of working as a goldsmith, I have always looked for tools that make my life easier — tools that make me more efficient and therefore more profitable. And I’m not an easy sell. Although I have embraced CAD/CAM in the past few years and produce many of my models on a milling machine, I frequently hand-carve wax models in my shop. I often modify models that have been milled, or add hand-carved elements to them, which is a great way to personalize designs that can otherwise have an overarching CAD look. When laying out a design on wax, I scribe lines for the silhouette of the top of the piece and side views directly onto the wax. With the framework in place, it’s time to remove the excess wax — which is where the Wolf Adjustable Trimmer really shines. This tool allows you to remove wax quickly very close to the layout lines.
I was recently in Chiang Mai, a city in northern Thailand, where I spent a month visiting silversmiths and chasers to document their work. The city is teeming with chasers, and there are whole temples covered in metalwork. The chasers…
There was a time in Ocean Rose’s life when moving to CAD/CAM would have been like “going over to the dark side,” as she put it. An independent designer based in Tucson, Arizona, she eventually succumbed and invested in ArtCAM…
For two years now, the manufacturer Lampert has been cooperating with the Laboratory for Welding Technology and Thermal Treatment at the Polytechnic College in Wrzburg-Schweinfurt. Test series and fundamental scientific research is applied in order to continue the technological development. And now the Generation 3 is well on its way to conquering the studios. The new device series consists of three models that will appeal to beginners, ambitious users and also professional. They offer numerous new features under the names PUK3 basic, PUK3 Professional and PUK3 Professional plus.
Jewelers are constantly in search of tools that make them more productive. It helps to shop trade shows where tools are on display to try out, but it’s really difficult to gauge whether the tool improves efficiency or accuracy without…
A good vise is a vital piece of equipment for any goldsmith because it can act as a third hand, securely holding onto a piece while the goldsmith uses both free hands to work on it. Given their usefulness, it’s…
Maybe you’re shopping for the latest technologies—the newest developments in CAD/CAM to produce life-like renderings, a laser to engrave your rings, or a casting machine engineered to maximize fills. Or maybe you want to upgrade your old work-horse flex-shaft system,…
This segment from the 2017 MJSA Journal November issue is dedicated to metals, tools, software and more that aids jewelers and designers in their quest to create their masterpieces. In this article we talk about Bench Tools. See related topics:…
New patented Warrior Power Tool System kit provides a revolutionary proficiency advantage for bench jewelers and jewelry manufacturers for split-lap abrasive pre-finishing, finishing and polishing.
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