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<=> <=> <=> <=> E-BENCH <=> <=> <=> <=>
The E-Mail Newsletter
for Bench Jewelers
July 2005
Volume 6 Issue 7 circulation over 3,700
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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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Instructors Include:
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<=> <=> <=> TABLE OF CONTENTS <=> <=> <=>
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.
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 <=> <=> <=>
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Metal Refining
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<=> <=>
Tips for Jewelers Who Do Repairs
From Alan Revere
Bending Tubing
As every bench jeweler has discovered, bending tubing is easier said than done. When using your hands or a clamp, tubing just folds and creases, like a plastic straw. But unlike plastic, if you know what you are doing, it is easy to form metal tubing into a smooth and even curve.
Let’s say you want to bend a piece of tubing into a bangle bracelet, which will make it a lot lighter and less expensive than using a solid rod of metal. In order to bend tubing without crushing it, you need to support it, either on the interior or the
exterior.
Here is a way that works well all the time. Go to a hardware store and find a steel spring that fits snugly over the tubing. (You can even buy springs made expressly for this purpose in some hobby stores.) You will need a piece of tubing that is longer than called for in the final bracelet, in order to gain leverage. Anneal the tubing and then put the spring around it. Now use a curved form, like a bracelet mandrel or piece of plumbing pipe, slightly smaller than the desired curve of the tubing. Spread out your fingers and apply even pressure, as you force the tubing/spring assembly against the mandrel. It will naturally recoil a little as you release the pressure, depending on the alloy and hardness. Now slide the spring along a little further and bend the next section, proceeding in this fashion until the entire tube is formed into a circle with overlapping ends. Then pull the spring off; sometimes it is necessary to use a lubricant and an "unscrewing" tug to remove it. Amazing!
This Tip is from “101 Bench Tips for Jewelers"
written by Alan Revere and published
by
MJSA/AJM Press.
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<=> <=> QUOTE WORTH RE-QUOTING <=> <=>
Time is our most valuable asset, yet we tend to waste it, kill it, and spend it rather than invest it.
Jim Rohn
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<=> <=> <=> E-BENCH SPONSOR <=> <=> <=>
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<=> <=> <=> FEATURE ARTICLE <=> <=> <=>
Give Me A Break!
Knowing when NOT to work is as important as knowing when to work.” Harvey MacKay
Research shows that a short break every forty- five minutes actually increases productivity. The following are a few examples of ways bench jewelers can take effective breaks. This is not a comprehensive list, but is meant to stimulate your creativity to find ways to renew your body and mind so that you can work at maximize productivity during your
work day.
Coffee Break
This is the old standby and just as effective today as ever. Sometimes you just need to go get a drink of your favorite beverage and get away from it all.
Wash Your Hands
Going to the sink to wash your hands and face can be very invigorating and effective in giving your mind a change of pace, and it only takes a minute or two. Also this helps prevent illness - getting sick is a major
time waster.
Do Chores
For the creative person these menial tasks can be a break and a change of pace that is badly needed, and you can feel good about the concrete and visible fruits of your labor. Sweep the floor, dust the shelves, vacuum the shop, change the solution in the ultrasonic, clean out the polishing machine, put tools away, organize your bench or shop,
etc.
Maintaining Tools
Sharpen your gravers and drill bits. Clean and oil your pliers, clean your files, change your broken saw blades, change your worn out wheels on your flex shaft mandrels, etc.
Exercise
Get up and stretch or take a quick walk around the building or block. Exercise and fitness don’t have to take much time, and it creates a natural high and can increase your energy for the entire day.
Planning
Look through a new catalog from a supplier, and daydream a little of all the new equipment you would like to have, and plan the future of the shop.
Socializing with Co-Workers
This is important to do to maintain a good working relationship among employees, and should be done on a regular interval. Just make certain your break does not become an unwanted interruption to the other
workers.
Study Your Craft
Reading a magazine article or a book can be a refreshing break and you will gain knowledge in the process.
Take Time to Be Alone
Creative individuals need time alone; the amount of time you need varies depending on your personality and situation.
Take a Nap
You’d be surprised how many people incorporate a nap (or meditation) into their daily routine. Winston Churchill took daily naps, even during the height of World War II. Thomas Edison is famous for his 10 minute catnaps. 10 to 20 minutes is best. You’ll wake up refreshed, recharged, and ready to take on the
world.
Daydream
Open your mind and let go. This is what creativity is all about.
Read a Good Book
A good book can take you to distant places away from work and other problems. However be careful with this one. It is easy to get caught-up in the book and waste away an hour or so. Before beginning to read your book set a kitchen timer for 5 or 10 minutes. Then, when the timer goes off, STOP READING and get back to work.
Remember
Taking several small well-planned breaks instead of one longer break helps keeps you refreshed, and working at maximum
productivity.
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<=> <=> QUOTE WORTH RE-QUOTING <=> <=>
If you really do put a small value on yourself, rest assured that the world will not raise the price.
John Carpenter Dealey
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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
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from around the world.
Membership includes: Topical Discussion
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Buy/Sell Channels, Plus Much More.
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<=> <=> AT THE PLATINUM BENCH <=> <=>
Tips that make working with Platinum or
working at the bench in general -
easier from
Jurgen J. Maerz CMBJ,
Director of Technical Education
for Platinum Guild International
http://www.pgi-platinum-tech.com
Devesting
Removing the castings from the investment can be a challenge. The investment, which is baked at very high temperatures, turns into a glass- like substance that can be difficult to separate from the cast pieces.
Most manufacturers use hydrofluoric acid, which is extremely dangerous and must be handled with utmost caution. Always use rubber gloves, a rubber apron, and a respirator that filters small particles from the air.
A small shop may wish to consider a safer devesting agent for platinum investment as a substitute for hydrofluoric acid. Ask your tool supplier; there are many brand names. You can also mix your own substitute using the following formula (percentages are given by weight): 25 percent sodium hydroxide, 25 percent potassium hydroxide, and 50 percent deionized or distilled water. (The sodium hydroxide and the potassium hydroxide should be in pearl or flake form.) Combine all three solutions in a stainless steel container, and heat (do not boil) for 25 to 40 minutes. Be careful mixing, since the three ingredients will naturally heat up when combined.
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<=> <=> QUOTE WORTH RE-QUOTING <=> <=>
If you don't set goals for yourself, you are doomed to work to achieve the goals of someone else.
Brian Tracy
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<=> <=> <=> E-BENCH SPONSOR <=> <=> <=>
The Ganoksin
Project
www.ganoksin.com
The Gem and Jewelry Pre-Eminent Online
Resources. Open to the public
Free of
Charge.
A substantial library of articles,
publications, reports, and technical
data on
gem and jewelry related topics; as
well as a
sizable collection of art and jewelry
galleries, for both the casual
visitor and the
professional, also host the popular
Orchid
online forums for jewelers.
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<=> <=> <=> FAVORITE TIPS <=> <=> <=>
Keep walkways to and from the polishing machine and sink area open and free from
clutter.
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Write estimates on the envelope - ALWAYS! Don’t rely on oral estimates. You want to avoid unprofessional situations when the customer comes in to pick up jewelry and says “But when I left it, you said it would only cost...”
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Always mount hand files into handles. Handles offer far more control and safety than just holding onto the un-mounted tang of a file. Needle files have a smooth round tang that doubles as a handle. However, they can be awkward to hold for more than brief periods. It is helpful to fit the file into a larger and more comfortable handle.
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Cut a perpendicular notch across the tip of a pair of self-locking soldering tweezers. This will then easily grasp and hold wire, jump rings, earring posts, etc. when
soldering.
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Lay a double edge razor blade over the chain with the slot in the blade over the break in the chain. When soldering it will be easy to find the break and the razor blade will serve as a heat sink.
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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 <=> <=>
Go to the ant and consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or rules, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.
Proverbs 6 : 6 - 8
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<=> <=> <=> E-BENCH SPONSOR <=> <=> <=>
Southeastern Findings
Southeastern Findings has been a leader in the wholesale jewelry business for the past 27 years servicing the Independent Jeweler. We are Findings, Diamonds, Wedding Bands, Jewelry Boxes, Platinum, Batteries, Tools, and So Much More.
Call us Today at 1-800-282-8285 or visit us on the World Wide Web www.sefindings.com
Namano / Southeastern Findings
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<=> <=> <=> GERRY’S GEMZ <=> <=> <=>
Stone setting tips from Gemz Diamond
Setting
http://www.gemzdiamondsetting.com/index.html
by Gerald N. Lewy
One of the most available items in office supply stores that are useful for jewelers are Thumb Guards. What are they good for? Well, one thing is that they will protect the thumb- pad so you won’t get cuts from the graver you use. Imagine receiving multiple cuts and then using the polishing machine. Think of the residue that is now being built INTO YOUR finger?
What kind of guard and what size?
A proper fitting thumb guard must have ventilation, or your thumb will soften and not give you proper setting co-ordination. Do not buy a guard that is too tight, it will restrict blood flow and compress the sides of your thumb.
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Manual of Diamond
Setting by Gerry Lewy
This new book and CD set on diamond setting is
geared to the Hobbyist, Student,
Beginner,
Intermediate and Advanced Jeweller/Setter. It
is a compendium of 5 years of writing
for Bench
Magazine and has over 613 pictures taken during
the setting process. This Manual sell for
$69.95 US Special Price for all E-Bench Readers
is only $54.95 plus Shipping and
Handling.
For more information or to order
E-Mail Gerry Lewy at: gemz@ican.net
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<=> <=> QUOTE WORTH RE-QUOTING <=> <=>
A difficult time can be more readily endured if we retain the conviction that our existence holds a purpose - a cause to pursue, a person to love, a goal to achieve.
John Maxwell
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<=> <=> <=> E-BENCH SPONSOR <=> <=> <=>
101 Bench Tips for Jewelers by Alan Revere
Alan Revere—acclaimed designer, author, and
educator—now shares his most valuable
bench
tips and tricks in 101 Bench Tips for
Jewelers.
Based on the monthly column in AJM, this book
will help any jeweler speed
production, improve
quality, and raise profits at the
bench.
Filled with helpful illustrations, this
publication covers all aspects of
bench work,
from soldering to stone setting,
piercing to
final polish. This book is sure to be a
resource you’ll reference for years
to come.
For more information, visit
www.ajm-magazine.com/pub_press.php
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<=> <=> WORKSHOP SAFETY
FOR JEWELERS <=> <=>
Workshop Safety Tips From Charles Lewton-Brian
GIVE YOURSELF A GRADE
I am a teacher, and one of the things I do when I grade my students is to be as objective as possible, taking into account the individuals skills, about how much they have personally developed and pushed themselves, how hard they worked and how they excelled against their own goals and aspirations; not just what they did to fulfill any parameters of the projects I set for them. This means that I have to judge myself by the same criteria to avoid being a hypocrite. As an educator one has to be a sort of role model as a form of continuous education. This can be kind of rough. So grade yourself in terms of your safety efforts. There is no shame in a mediocre grade, merely an indication that one can do better-you don't put yourself down for doing one's best-that is as good as it gets. So, assuming you are doing your best for yourself then give yourself a grade in that regard. Then try again. One tends to get better and improve this way. Judge yourself as you would judge another persons performance given the same problem to solve or project to carry out. And, give yourself credit. If it is an 'A' grade then that is what it is. Enjoy!
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
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Visit often, as we will be making changes to
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for bench jewelers.
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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
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the
subject matter covered. It is provided with
the understanding that the author or
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> > > >
For editorial suggestions, comments, ideas
or requests, please send an E-Mail to
Bradney W. Simon mailto:Brad@BWSimon.com
Copyrighted, 2005, BENCH MEDIA.
All rights reserved.
BENCH MEDIA
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