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Here is your next issue of E-BENCH. Thanks for subscribing.
<=> <=> <=> <=> E-BENCH <=> <=> <=> <=> The E-Mail Newsletter for Bench Jewelers
June 2004 Volume 5 Issue 06 circulation over 3,000
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<=> <=> ABOUT THIS NEWSLETTER <=> <=>
E-BENCH is a FREE monthly newsletter for Retail Jewelry Store Owners, Shop Managers, Bench Jewelers and Anyone Else That Is Interested.
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E-BENCH is a BENCH MEDIA Publication BENCH MEDIA is a B W Simon Company Bradney W Simon – Publisher Daniel Spirer - Proofreader
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<=> <=> <=> TABLE OF CONTENTS <=> <=> <=>
REVERE’S TIPS FOR JEWELERS Tips for Jewelers, Who Do Repairs from Alan Revere
FEATURE ARTICLE Learn how to make your shop more profitable, a new technique, or brush up on basic skills.
STEWART'S BENCH TIPS Bench Tips from Stewart’s International School for Jewelers
AT THE PLATINUM BENCH Tips for working on Platinum from Platinum Guild International
FAVORITE TIPS Tips and Tricks to make your work on the bench a little easier and more productive from Bradney W. Simon CMBJ and E-BENCH Readers.
GERRY’S GEMZ Stone setting tips from Gemz Diamond Setting
WORKSHOP SAFETY FOR JEWELERS Tips from Charles Lewton-Brian
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<=> <=> <=> E-BENCH SPONSOR <=> <=> <=>
New from MJSA/AJM Press The AJM Guide to Lost-Wax Casting
Learn from the masters how to achieve smooth, porosity-free castings! The AJM Guide to Lost- Wax Casting offers an abundance of best practices, handy tips, and troubleshooting techniques. How to create trouble-free master models to proper breakout procedures.
Contributing experts include: Charles Lewton-Brain, Jurgen J. Maerz, Gregg Todd, Michael Bondanza, and many more.
For sample chapters and more information, go to http://www.ajm-magazine.com/pub_press.php
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<=> <=> REVERE’S TIPS FOR JEWELERS <=> <=>
Tips for Jewelers Who Do Repairs from Alan Revere Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts
This Tip is from the forthcoming book "101 Bench Tips for Jewelers" written by Alan Revere and published by MJSA/AJM Press.
The snazziest system I have seen to find your chuck key is mounting one of those retractable spring gadgets that hold a ring of keys on your belt (sometimes known as a Keyback or key caddy), under your bench top. Instead of keys, attach your chuck key. Now it is always exactly where you left it.
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<=> <=> QUOTE WORTH RE-QUOTING <=> <=>
I do the very best I know how – the very best I can; and I mean to keep on doing so until the end.
Abraham Lincoln
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<=> <=> <=> E-BENCH SPONSOR <=> <=> <=>
SIMON SEZ SEMINARS
Bradney W. Simon is a JA Certified Master Bench Jeweler with over 26 years experience on the bench. He is the Editor and Publisher of E-BENCH, BENCH Magazine, and BENCH ROM, and is an accomplished platform speaker, providing Keynote Speeches, and Educational Seminars.
Topics include: Shop Management Bench Tips Jewelry Demonstrations
For information on having him speak for your organization, log onto; http://www.BWSimon.com/SimonSez Seminars
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<=> <=> <=> FEATURE ARTICLE <=> <=> <=> YOU WANT IT WHEN? A Bench Jewelers Guide to Job Scheduling Part 1 of 4
When Charles M. Schwab started Bethlehem Steel he called in management consultant Ivy Lee and asked how management could get more done during the day. Ivy Lee recommended the following.
Each evening before the manager leaves, they should write down the most important things they have to do tomorrow. Then number them in the order of their true importance. The first thing the next morning, they are to start working on item number one, and stay with it until completed. Then begin item number two, then number three, and so on. They should not worry if they do not complete everything on the list. At least they will have completed the most important projects before getting to the less important ones.
Ivy Lee told Charles Schwab to have all his managers do this for one month. Then when the month is over, send him a check for what ever he thought the idea was worth.
At the end of the month, Ivy Lee received a check for $25,000, an enormous amount of money in the early 1900’s. Charles Schwab said that it was the best idea he ever received. It allowed his people to accomplish more during the day then any other single idea.
This was the beginning of the daily To Do list.
Scheduling your work allows you to work more efficiently and productively regardless of the type of work you are doing. When work comes into the shop each jeweler needs to schedule the work given to them. An ideal time to do this is late in the afternoon. After you have finished the day’s work, and it is in the cleaner, take all the new jobs that have come in during the day and schedule them.
Examine the Work
The first thing you need to do is check over the new jobs. One at a time, take each job out of the envelope. Check the descriptions on the envelope and make certain you can later identify the jewelry from this description, as you are responsible for getting the jewelry back into the correct envelope. Add any notes or draw a simple sketch of the jewelry if needed.
Next, examine the stones and the jewelry for any damage that is not listed on the envelope and look for any additional repairs that are needed. If either of these conditions exists, return the job to the salesperson that took in the job to notify the customer.
Next, check the instructions on the envelope. Make certain you understand exactly what work you are to perform. If you have any questions ask the salesperson who took in the repair. Do this as soon as possible while the information is still fresh in their mind.
Then check if any parts are needed to complete the job. If parts are needed, take the parts out of inventory and place them in the envelope. If they are not in inventory, make certain the information is on an order log and that they have been ordered. Then place the jewelry back in the envelope.
File the Envelopes
The next step in scheduling your work is to file the envelopes. A 5 X 7 card file box works well for this. You need to have numbered dividers in this file box, one for each day of the month. Often dated file dividers come in packages with the 30th and 31st printed on one divider. Avoid these, and buy the package of thirty-one cards. The 31st comes only seven times a year. However, on those occasions having the extra divider is necessary.
Each jeweler needs to have their own workbox to schedule their work in. It does not matter if there is only one jeweler in the shop or if it is a multi-jeweler shop. Each jeweler should schedule their own work and take responsibility for getting that work out of the shop on time.
File each job envelope behind the date you will begin to work on it. Do not file it behind the promise date. Filing it behind the date you need to begin the work will assure you that the work will begin on time and be ready for the customer when they expect it.
To determine which date to file the job envelope, work backwards from the promise date. Most repair work in the shop can be finished the same day it is started. File these jobs behind the divider for the day prior to the due date.
If possible, it is best to stay one day ahead in planning your work. For example, jobs promised to be delivered on the 3rd should be filed behind the 1st. Then they can be worked on during the day on the 1st, and be ready to be delivered on the 2nd, one day ahead of schedule.
If something happens to a job or if you just do not complete all the work, you have this extra day to finish them. Plus, I have never heard of a customer complain about the work being done too quickly. Keeping ahead with the work coming out of the shop also looks good to your employer.
Staying one day ahead allows you the flexibility to work around a day with numerous interruptions, or when a large number of jobs are taken in. You can spread the work out over two days, and still be on schedule. The next day, you can then start to work ahead, to get back to your one-day cushion.
This works well if you receive a sufficient amount of time on the promise dates, particularly on work promised for a week or more from when it was taken in. However, if jobs are promised for a day or two then this is impossible to do.
In scheduling your work keep your days off in mind. If a job is promised for the 5th and you are off on the 4th, file the envelope behind the 2nd not the 3rd. You do not want to schedule work to be done on a day you are not working.
In order to keep from scheduling jobs on your day off, go through the dividers once a month. On all the days that you will not work, paper clip the divider to the next one, and then envelopes can not accidentally be filed behind it. It is preferable to not remove these dividers from the box, as they can easily be misplaced.
On jobs that will take longer than one day to finish, you need to estimate how many days it will take to finish the work. Then counting forward from the due date, file the job behind the appropriate date. For example, a job taking three days to finish and promised for the 10th should be filed behind the 5th or 6th. To give you a one day cushion, the job will need to be scheduled to be finished on the 9th. This extra day is important on large jobs. If you miss on your time estimate, you will still have time to finish the work, and be able to deliver when promised. You need to start on the 6th to have three days to complete the work by the 9th. If a day off falls between the 6th through the 10th you will need to start the job on the 5th.
This is the most effective method to making certain the job is done when the customer expects it. Next month we will look at planning your daily work.
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<=> <=> QUOTE WORTH RE-QUOTING <=> <=>
Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. 1 Thessalonians 4: 11 – 12
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<=> <=> <=> E-BENCH SPONSOR <=> <=> <=>
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<=> <=> STEWART'S BENCH TIPS <=> <=>
Bench Tips from Stewart’s International School for Jewelers http://www.stewartsintlschool.com/
REMOVING A DENT FROM HOLLOW JEWELRY By Jim Stewart
There are many ways to remove a dent from hollow jewelry. One method is to pour water into an opening, filling it to the top. Then put tape over the end and put in your freezer. The water will expand when frozen pushing out on the dent. You may have to do this more than once to completely remove the dent. This also works in removing dents from candlestick holders.
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<=> <=> QUOTE WORTH RE-QUOTING <=> <=>
The people who get on in this world are the people who look for the circumstances they want, and if they can't find them, make them. George Bernard Shaw
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<=> <=> <=> E-BENCH SPONSOR <=> <=> <=>
Run Your Shop Without It Running You A Practical Guide To Efficient Shop Management
With over one hundred and fifty pages of information, illustrations, and worksheets, this is the most comprehensive book on Shop Management available today.
This Valuable Guide Is A Must In Every Retail Jewelry Store
“For too many years, Simon says, jewelry store owners have believed the fallacy the shop can’t be a profit center. He destroys that notion step-by-step with a practical book that shows owners and shop mangers the keys to profitability.” Professional Jeweler Magazine
Only $39.95 (US dollars) plus S&H - $4.00 US, $10 International
Send your order and check to: B W Simon 106 S. Pinepoint Dr. Spartanburg, SC 29307 U S A
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<=> <=> AT THE PLATINUM BENCH <=> <=>
Tips for working on Platinum from Jurgen J. Maerz CMBJ, Director of Technical Education for Platinum Guild International http://www.pgi-platinum-tech.com
It is difficult to explain surface textures to a customer who is not familiar with the terminology of the trade. Prepare a texture strip by taking a strip of metal and apply different textures in 10mm sections along the strip. You'll be able to show the surfaces to clients, preventing misunderstandings.
When polishing a ring with diamonds, it can be difficult to remove the rouge after polishing. Try dipping the ring in water and then in baking soda before you polish. The rouge dust will stick to the baking soda rather than the metal. Since baking soda is water soluble, the rouge will wash away easily when the ring is rinsed.
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<=> <=> QUOTE WORTH RE-QUOTING <=> <=>
You can’t build a reputation on what you are going to do. Henry Ford
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<=> <=> <=> E-BENCH SPONSOR <=> <=> <=>
Jewelry Dealers World Trade Network http://www.JewelryDealersNetwork.com
<=> Bench Jeweler Discussion Channel <=> >
Ask questions, share tips, and take part in the ongoing discussions, or just read and take in all the advice from many excellent jewelers from around the world.
Membership includes: Topical Discussion Channels, including Bench Work, CAD-CAM, Stone Setting, and many more. You may buy, sell and trade on the Buy/Sell Channels, Plus Much More.
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<=> <=> <=> FAVORITE TIPS <=> <=> <=>
When filing prongs to shape them,
always file
in a direction toward the mounted
stone.
Filing away from the stone could push
the prong
loose.
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Always polish inside the
head before you set
the stone.
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After coiling wire around a
mandrel, thread
your saw blade through the
coil to cut the jump
rings apart, and saw from
the inside out. This
makes sawing the coil
easier as your blade
tends to slide when
starting to cut from the
outside of the coil.
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When soldering hollow link
chains or other fine
chains do not use a solder
pick. The pick will
act as a heat sink, drawing
heat away from part
of the chain. This makes it easy for the
remaining chain to melt.
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Many ring mandrels measure
ring sizes
differently than the ring
sizers used to
measure the customers’
finger, resulting in an
improperly sized ring.
One method to avoid this
problem is to purchase
several sets of plastic
ring sizers. Take
apart the sets of sizers
and organize them by
finger size in a plastic
compartment box with a
snap close lid. Then measure the customers’
finger with these sizers
and place the correct
sizer in the job envelope
with the ring to be
sized. Then the bench jeweler will have no
questions as to the size to
make the ring.
When finished, return the
ring sizer to the
tray for future use.
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If you have a tip you would like to share with our readers send it in an e-mail to
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<=> <=> QUOTE WORTH RE-QUOTING <=> <=>
I believe that every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession, a duty. John D. Rockefeller
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<=> <=> <=> E-BENCH SPONSOR <=> <=> <=>
BENCH ROM The Multi-Media Magazine for Bench Jewelers
BENCH ROM is an affordable method to learn new skills and develop your career. Discover New Techniques Learn New Tips to Improve Your Work See New Products and Technologies Demonstrated All right from your home or shop without having to travel to a seminar or trade show.
“Bench Rom is great,” says jeweler Bill Scores “It’s like being in the shop of a Master Jeweler and watching over his shoulder.”
Log onto www.BWSimon.com/BenchRom for more information or to subscribe
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<=> <=> <=> GERRY’S GEMZ <=> <=> <=>
Stone setting tips from Gemz Diamond Setting http://www.gemzdiamondsetting.com/index.html by Gerald N. Lewy
When setting a series of diamonds in a row, I use a 156C bur and just touch the inside wall of the hole. This way each and every diamond will sit at the same level and be correctly placed.
When bright-cutting the inside bezel for a ‘gypsy’ set stone, apply downward pressure with your finger to the #39 flat graver. This will give you a consistent applied control to the cutting tool and not leave a jagged edge when cutting.
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<=> <=> QUOTE WORTH RE-QUOTING <=> <=>
Believe in yourself. You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you stop to look fear in the face … You must do that which you think you cannot do. Eleanor Roosevelt
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<=> <=> WORKSHOP SAFETY FOR JEWELERS <=> <=>
Workshop Safety Tips From Charles Lewton-Brian
To escape unnecessary work, look for examples of people who have solved the same kinds of safety problems you have to solve, and see if you can adapt some of their ideas and approaches for your own small shop. Look for models around you.
Here's something to aim for. A well laid out, orderly workshop, electrically and fire safe, with low dust and few solvent procedures, with excellent local ventilation at the appropriate work stations; the use of work clothing cleaned frequently, lots of personal safety equipment (earmuffs, safety glasses etc.), different heights to work at over the work day and a conscious attitude and consciousness of safety. Choose procedures that don't involve exposure to risks. Set things up so that you can't hurt yourself. Mark Twain said 'If you don't lie you don't have to remember anything', we could crudely paraphrase that to 'If you don't have an unsafe workshop you have less to worry about'. Make safety a habit and then it won't seem like work.
For more information on Workshop safety from Charles Lewton-Brian log onto: http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/safety.htm
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<=> <=> Thank You for Reading <=> <=>
We are on the World Wide Web. Visit us at http://www.BWSimon.com A complete archive of back issues of E-BENCH is located there.
Visit often, as we will be making changes to our site, adding additional useful information for bench jewelers.
<=> <=> SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION <=> <=>
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Information provided in this document is provided ‘As Is’ without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied. This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information concerning the subject matter covered. It is provided with the understanding that the author or publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional services. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought.
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Copyrighted, 2004, BENCH MEDIA. All rights reserved.
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