exotic new options

January 5, 2011

Well over the recent holiday I decided to treat myself to some new quick change graver handles.  Unhappy with the standard plastic handles I decided to upgrade using my JWX-30.  I designed several new handles in CAD.  The fixture is designed to hold a cylindrical piece of wax, so my first action was to mill […]

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Cast key model

August 29, 2010

Because of the extreme shape of the key design and its thinness, multiple sprues were attached to multiple points on the model.  The result is a nearly complete casting.  One of the most common problems with CAD designs are the proportions of the model.  Often designs that look amazing on the screen will not manufacture […]

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Large scale milling

August 29, 2010

One of the things I love about the JWX-30 is the size of the milling platform.  The large two sided mill fixture is 64mm X 58 mm, and on the key I milled for designer Dan Canivet the overall length of the key is 53mm. There is a little length for the supports attached to […]

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Milling bands

May 9, 2010

Bands are really easy with the JWX-30 mill.  the models are milled on the rotary fixture as shown here.  The wax is attached by sliding it on to the shaft of the fixture, and stays in place by means of friction.  The screw fixture to the left of the shaft is used to remove the […]

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Setting the Diamonds and finishing

May 9, 2010

Once the enamel is finished, I flush set four 1mm diamonds in the pre-made seats created by the milling.  After the piece is polished, I placed it on a leather cord for displaying.  The leather helps to reduce the overall cost of the piece. Overall I am satisfied with the experiment.  The cost range for […]

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Enameling the pendant

May 9, 2010

The recessed cell on the pendant is engraved with a pattern using a #52 round bottom graver.   I then used a medium transparent blue enamel I got from Rio Grande to fill the champleve cell on the front of the pendant.  The enamel is fired at 1500 degrees F until it melts.  The enamel […]

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Casting the model

May 9, 2010

Since I am using this piece as a test, I chose to alloy down some 18k yellow gold down to 14k.  I made the mistake of using the 18k alloy material to bring the karat down.  The result is this pale yellow color.  the model cast very well, and I think I will reduce the […]

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Sprued up the Lace sphere wax

March 29, 2010

I took the two sides of the milled model, aligned them carefully, and welded them together.  I apparently deleted one of the lace details on the front of the model without noticing it before milling.  I replaced the missing section with a soft blue wax wire.  It’s not the best option here, but this is […]

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Exercise in price points

March 25, 2010

I have been looking for ways to reduce the price points of some of my designs that I sell wholesale.  The majority of my current designs are constructed out of heavy 18k yellow gold.  While I love the look of heavier designs, the price points are making them a difficult sale.  I am exploring designs […]

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Some shots of the mill

March 25, 2010

Well I wish I could say I have a luxurious studio space, but like most of us out there making a living I have to make due.  In my case I put my mill on top of my table saw so I could have a nice stable platform to work on.  Turns out it works […]

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