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Complete Metalsmith: Professional Edition Hardcover – February 1, 2005

by Tim McCreight (Author)
4.8 out of 5 stars 445 ratings
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The Complete Metalsmith became a classic soon after it was first published in 1982. A second edition (blue cover) raised the bar by adding 50 more pages and using a larger format. To mark the millenium, McCreight revised it again, this time doubling the number of pages, adding color and using an innovative concealed spiral binding. This information-packed technique source book is on every professional metalworker's must-have list. With over 2500 drawings, the Complete Metalsmith provide a wealth of information on materials, tools, shaping, surfaces, joining, color, finishing, casting, stonesetting, chains, findings and mechanisms. Also included is one of the largest collections of charts and tables for metalsmiths. You’ll wonder how you got along without it!
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  1. Print length
    312 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Brynmorgen Press
  4. Publication date
    February 1, 2005
  5. Dimensions
    8.25 x 1.25 x 9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1929565054
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1929565054
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Editorial Reviews

Review

I was blown away this is truly complete. I hope it gets the recognition it deserves it's a masterpiece. --Bruce Baker Studio

If you are a super-serious metal worker, you ll like this version, which is twice as big as the Student Edition. --Tammy Powley, About.com

a smart, stylish cover and larger binding rings expanded many topics a legacy for future generations. --Tom & Kay Benham, Lapidary Journal

About the Author

Tim McCreight has been teaching metalsmithing for over three decades. He brings his years of experience and his passion for the field into every page.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Brynmorgen Press; Professional edition (February 1, 2005)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 312 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1929565054
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1929565054
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.3 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.25 x 1.25 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 out of 5 stars 445 ratings

About the author

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Tim McCreight

Tim McCreight

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Tim McCreight is a designer, teacher, author, and goldsmith. He received a degree in fine arts from The College of Wooster and an MFA in jewelry and silversmithing from Bowling Green State University. He taught fulltime for 25 years, first at the Worcester Center for Crafts and then at Maine College of Art. Along the way he has taught hundreds of workshops throughout the US and in Canada, Japan, Mexico, and the UK.

After writing two books for large commercial publishers, he decided to take on the challenges of illustration and layout, joining a new generation of authors who took control of all aspects of their books. In this way he has overseen all details of many of his books, most notably Complete Metalsmith, which is recognized as a standard text in the field. His books have been translated into Russian, Japanese, and Italian.

McCreight's books are characterized by a practical approach and commonsense descriptions that empower beginning artists while confirming information for advanced readers. His curiosity and the obvious pleasure he takes in sharing information makes his books not just readable but fun. Most of his books deal with metalsmithing but he has extended into design and into the genre of creative nonfiction with his very popular Syntax of Objects, re-released in a new edition in 2010. In his efforts to explore new approaches, he has also created an App for iPhone, iPod, and iPad called "Metalsmith Suite," available through the iTunes store.

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
445 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this metalsmithing book comprehensive and well-written, with clear prose that makes it easy to read. Moreover, they appreciate its value as a reference, with one customer noting it includes almost everything in Jewelry metal works. Additionally, the book receives positive feedback for its lay-flat design, spiral binding, and motivational content.

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126 customers mention "Information quality"117 positive9 negative

Customers find the book highly informative and comprehensive, providing sufficient detail for practical use, with one customer noting it covers all aspects of silversmithing.

"...Clear graphics with detail versus photographs help you see what is needed. Soooo much information is well organized and charts are easily found...." Read more

"...- Tim McCreight is world-known for his work and providing books to help others learn the basics and some of his own "tricks" in manipulating metal...." Read more

"Great referance tool for any metalsmither" Read more

"...The explanations are generally clear and Mr. McCreight covers a wide variety of topics...." Read more

17 customers mention "Metalsmithing"17 positive0 negative

Customers praise this metalsmithing book, with one describing it as the "metalsmith bible" and another noting it includes almost everything in jewelry metal work.

"...The book has lots of reference material, details on tools, metals, techniques, etc...." Read more

"...The book summarizes many different techniques and methods of working with metal and gives a basic description of what the processes involve...." Read more

"The Metalsmith bible. Tim McCreight has put al lot of his well known experince into this book...." Read more

"...physical properties of various metals, what makes them soft or hard, alloys, melting points, etc...." Read more

14 customers mention "Writing quality"14 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well written and easy to read, with clear prose, and one customer notes it serves as a standard text for metalsmithing.

"...The pages are of good print quality and weight. Clear graphics with detail versus photographs help you see what is needed...." Read more

"...It it thorough. It is well written. It is full of high quality, often with color to help know which piece is what when working an item...." Read more

"...audience spans from beginners to professionals and it is clearly written by a pro...." Read more

"...The writing is well organised and easy to read. The author also seems to have a bit of a sense of humour which makes it even more pleasant...." Read more

11 customers mention "Value for money"11 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well worth its price as a reference, noting it's a great addition to the Craftsman's Library. One customer mentions it includes almost everything in Jewelry, while another highlights the superb appendices.

"...It is well organized. The appendices are SUPERB - from safety (ventilation, repetitive motion, chemicals) to suppliers to geometric formulas to..." Read more

"...bound hard cover, and it also has more pages and more subjects than the cheaper student edition...." Read more

"...And the price is extremely reasonable for such an excellent book...." Read more

"I have been looking for this book at a reasonable price for a while now. I found it with this seller and made the purchase...." Read more

9 customers mention "Motivation"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book motivating, with one mentioning how it helped refine their knowledge and skills, while another notes how it rekindled their adventurous spirit.

"...This book is not only confidence building but motivating for me to try new techniques or improve those I have already learned...." Read more

"...it's an invaluable reference and very motivating and inspiring to have around. You want this book!" Read more

"...This book has helped me through many situations and taught me things that seemed to be brushed over in class...." Read more

"...to know the little things that never get written about, it really put me on my way and is a continues reference thanks to mr mcCreight for a great..." Read more

5 customers mention "Lay flat"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate that the book lays flat on the bench.

"...great and thus when I have to review something when working, the book lies flat and doesn't need to be held down in order to stay in place...." Read more

"...for the most part than the older edition the book is designed to lat flat on the bench it is obvious it was designed by someone who designs..." Read more

"...The ring-spine makes easy to flip through pages and lays flat, which I love. The grey fabric-cover also looks pretty on the bench!" Read more

"...I love the big spiral binding that allows it to lay flat while I'm working on something and constantly referencing it...." Read more

5 customers mention "Spiral binding"5 positive0 negative

Customers like the spiral binding of the book.

"...First, my copy is hard covered with spiral bound inset. The pages are of good print quality and weight...." Read more

"...The pro edition is a spiral bound hard cover, and it also has more pages and more subjects than the cheaper student edition...." Read more

"...One of which is the binding. Yes, it is a spiral binding, but the quality of the paper seems too thin for that format, it feels as though the..." Read more

"...I love the big spiral binding that allows it to lay flat while I'm working on something and constantly referencing it...." Read more

Mis-Leading Condition
2 out of 5 stars
Mis-Leading Condition
Condition was described as like new.....anything but....it has library stamps and still has library card on the back cover....would have never paid the amount for this book if
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Sillady
    5.0 out of 5 stars Best Purchase
    Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    I have purchased MANY books over the past year because I need hard copy verses internet/device use. This book, although published a bit ago, is so well organized and thorough. If there is any one book you choose to help you learn the craft this is it. First, my copy is hard covered with spiral bound inset. The pages are of good print quality and weight. Clear graphics with detail versus photographs help you see what is needed. Soooo much information is well organized and charts are easily found. As one who can be very judgemental on quality of educational books, i wish I had gotten this from the start. If you are new to this caft, I don't think you will be disappointed I would post pics, but it is copyrighted and I honor that. I will be looking at Tim's other works and hope they are just as wonderful.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • CLG
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book for any metal enthusiast
    Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2008
    Verified Purchase
    Recently I have returned to playing with metal in designing jewelry, mixed media art, and fine art. The author of this book - Tim McCreight is world-known for his work and providing books to help others learn the basics and some of his own "tricks" in manipulating metal. I have to say this book is one of his best and probably the one I hold in highest regard. It it thorough. It is well written. It is full of high quality, often with color to help know which piece is what when working an item. It is well organized. The appendices are SUPERB - from safety (ventilation, repetitive motion, chemicals) to suppliers to geometric formulas to melting points to conversion factors to properly photographing jewelry AND MORE! It is a great starting point for all those who are seriously interested in pursuing this type of work as a hobby or art.

    Some of McCreight's other books (e.g.Practical Joining) are often rehashes with a bit more thoroughness of this book, while others (e.g. on PMC - precious metal clay) cover other topics. Of the numerous books by MeCreight in my library, I refer to this one first. The spriral binding is great and thus when I have to review something when working, the book lies flat and doesn't need to be held down in order to stay in place.

    The only drawback is that the cover (at least my version) tends to attact fuzz or dog hair when I take it from my work area to review sections in my home. Weird...luckily tape takes care of that problem for I don't want to give up my pets!

    So for beginners to advanced workers in metal - get this book first...or second if you want a more beginner book to see if this work is really for you. Other books by McCreight should be considered IF you are interested in pursuing various aspects of metalwork in detail (e.g. "Metals Technic" - book based on his workshops and focused on producing quality pieces in various methodologies...but some of the images in it have much to be desired - ?new addition might help that???).
    4 people found this helpful
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  • jcp
    5.0 out of 5 stars Essential
    Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    This is my first go-to book when I am doing something new and need to know how to get started. It is encyclopedic in that it covers everything, but it does not go into a lot of detail on some subjects. It seems to have enough to get you started, and a lot of details on setting up workshop, tools, etc with less coverage of the more advanced techniques.

    The pro edition is a spiral bound hard cover, and it also has more pages and more subjects than the cheaper student edition. I bought the pro version since I would would hate to end up buying both if I find out it had something essential. There is also a super-deluxe version that has a DVD, The Pro edition is the one you want.

    The book has lots of reference material, details on tools, metals, techniques, etc. so if you are doing jewelry work or metalsmithing it has enough in it to make it worth buying. It does not have pretty pictures, and does not have a lot of details for the more advanced techniques, but in those cases you really need to buy a book devoted to a single technique to get enough coverage.

    I bought this and Jinks McGrath's The Encyclopedia of Jewelry-Making Techniques: A Comprehensive Visual Guide to Traditional and Contemporary Techniques and they are a good pair. McGraths's book is less thorough but he has a different perspective on things and also includes lots of nice photos. It is more visual and maybe that is more useful for some people, but I find them both essential. If I had to buy just one, it would be the McCreight book since I can live without the photos, but for the very beginner I think the McGrath book may be a little easier to get into.
    9 people found this helpful
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  • stephanie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Everything for beginners
    Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Great referance tool for any metalsmither
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Fabiane
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!!
    Reviewed in Brazil on November 6, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Everything about metalsmith! Great book!
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  • Debbie Ann Kendall
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 9, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    If you're looking for a general reference book as a student for Jewellery making, or silversmithing. If you're confused by all the books out there, wondering which one to buy, which one you'd keep referring back to in the future as an invaluable source? This is the one! Highly recommend.
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on August 19, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    I love it. It contain everything that I need. Thank you very much.
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  • Fred
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great references
    Reviewed in France on February 22, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    New forging hobby, this book has it all, tools, methods, metal specs, and much more. Will be my guide.

    Thanks Tim :)
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  • tabare27
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brillant
    Reviewed in France on April 15, 2010
    Verified Purchase
    Tim McCreight est considéré aux USA comme un gourou de la joaillerie.
    Diplômé en sculpture ,avec un MFA(Maîtrise Beaux Arts) en joaillerie et travail du métal, ses livres sont un condensé de connaissances de toutes les branches de la fabrication de bijoux.
    Ce livre de 300 pages n'est pas une exception, car il embrasse un large éventail de techniques de bijouterie.
    Il n' y a pas des photos, mais des dessins couleurs,très clairs, sauf pour le chapitre dédié à la gemmologie, où l'on trouve des photos des pierres fines et précieuses.Car le livre va au delà de ce qu'annonce le titre, avec un chapitre très généreux sur la gemmologie, des conseils d'atelier, la photographie des bijoux, et même des conseils pour éviter les blessures et ménager les articulations ,avec une planche d'exercices.
    Pour le reste du livre :-que voulez -vous savoir?. Tout ce sur quoi vous vous questionnez fait certainement partie des thèmes abordés par l'auteur:Le matériel de base,la coupe, la forge, le pliage, l'incision, le travail de la pâte d'argent, l'impression au rouleau, la gravure, la granulation, le Mokumé, le kum boo, la fabrication de moules, avec différentes techniques,et différentes étapes de la fonte, la confection de boucles d'oreilles,le sertissage des pierres, création de chaînes avec ou sans soudure,fermetures pour colliers, fabrication de fibules, ou des boutons de manchettes.
    De façon concise et claire, on y trouve tout ce qui intéresse à un aspirant bijoutier .
    En fin d'ouvrage, on trouve des grilles de conversion et de poids et mesures et un repertoire des fournisseurs.
    Un ouvrage qui fait des adeptes et réveille ou confirme des vocations.
    Un livre unique et nécessaire pour celui qui désire créer de ses mains des bijoux uniques et réveiller l'artiste qui sommeille dans chacun de nous ,avec le guide d'un maître joailler confirmé.
    Le monde de la création vous ouvre ses portes,franchissez son seuil sans hésiter.
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