Bench Tips and Tricks

Make your own high quality rotary burr from an inexpensive disposable lighter. By master goldsmith Charles Lewton-Brain. Filmed in full...

Learn to harden and temper your own custom-shaped jewelry tools. By master goldsmith Charles Lewton-Brain. Filmed in full HD 1080p....

Single-row pavé, which consists of a single row of small diamonds set into a narrow strip of metal, is a...

Two surprising uses for a pencil as a tool in jewelry making. (1) Gain extreme control over the burr on...

In this video, master goldsmith Charles Lewton-Brain will show you how to make a handy cardboard disc sander. You can...

Learn how to quickly identify whether a piece of steel has the quality you need for making jewelry tools. By...

I took in a broken hollow rope chain bracelet for repair this week. The bracelet had caught on a desk...

Technical Briefs deals with technical concerns of interest to a wide audience, addressing topics as diverse as vanguard technology and...

Making a simple or basic link chain to display your pendant designs is a great way to add further value...

Fire scale or fire stain is a reddish purple toned 'bloom' or 'stain' that appears on silver/copper alloys such as...

We asked a number of top jewelers to tell us their best practices, techniques, and tips for creating satin, brushed,...

[Step by Step] This five-strand spiral braid is made using one of the many textile techniques that Professor Arline Fisch...

Originally published under the title: Selecting the Correct Saw Blade This article provides and describes useful tips for selecting the...

One of the most important types of closures used in jewelry is the box clasp. This clasp and its many...

Goldsmiths and silversmiths use hammers frequently in their work, silversmiths especially. A regular trade goldsmith might use a bench hammer...

After you learn to apply enamels by sifting, wet packing, brushing on crackle and firing the base coats, you are...

The "General Safety Rules for Tools" article applies here too, as with all power tools. Read the instruction manuals and...

This bench has been designed so it can be made from easily available materials without sophisticated woodworking equipment. People with...

Here's something to aim for: a well laid-out, orderly workshop, well-lit by multiple non glare light sources, well-maintained equipment, electrically...

Medical hemostats and forceps make good clips for wire solder. Soldering clips for soldering work may be made from cotter...

This article is about creating and sharpening gravers before using for your work or project as described by Tom Weishaar....

Available in a wide variety of formulas, epoxy resins are used in jewelry making as adhesives, as coatings, and for...

Making jewelry is sometimes seen as a difficult or an expensive proposition. In reality a basic metal working shop can...

Fabrics and precious metals would seem to be total opposites, like hot and cold or yin and yang. However, despite...

Jewelers treat soldered objects with dilute acid solutions to remove oxides produced from heating and soldering as well as glassy...

Soldering is probably the most commonly used and least understood operation performed in the jewelry industry. Most jewelers know how...

Over the years, bad habits creep into our work procedures. Periodical review of our techniques is needed to assure us...

Many jewelers see polishing as a mundane task. However, it is one of the most important operations in the process...

The palladium bench guide reviews the working characteristics of palladium for the jewelry bench staff and provides an overview of...

Jewelers use so-called -oxidising- solutions to darken metals like silver, copper, brass, nickel silver, bronze and, with specialized mixtures, on...

Tom Dougherty of Studio 2015 in Woodstock, Illinois, had an interesting process to share about making hoop earrings from tubing....

There is a major difference between durability and scratch resistance. Platinum is very durable. When scratched, the scratch actually displaces...

The casting investment process enjoys wide popularity in the production of commercial and one-of-a-kind art metal objects. However, production practice...

Yes you can make your own earring posts. It is generally more cost effective to buy them, but making them...

Transforming a single sheet of metal into an undulating organic form using only a hammer and stake is the art...

Over the past decade, channel setting has grown in popularity. Setting small diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and even emeralds into channels...

Ventilation means removing noxious materials, dusts and fumes from where you can breathe them in. It is about taking away...

Not all sizes and wall thicknesses of tube come seamless from a factory or refiner. Especially when working in gold...

First the stone's diameter is measured at the pavillion and a dent is made in the metal for the pilot...

A selected bibliography list for the jeweler - Metal working, Casting, Plating, Enamelling ,Gem Cutting, Setting, Engraving and Etching, Other...

Joining is a very important production technique in the field of jewelry production. Therefore it is useful to know, what...

Both natural and cultured pearls are formed when an irritant lodges in a mollusk. The mollusk then deposits layers of...

This page provides an international ring sizes chart you can view and/or download to be your guide in making or...

Carat, karat, caret, and carrot are all pronounced the same, but each has a different meaning. Carat and karat, of...

In every aspect of my daily life I am, and have been for quite some time, concerned with promoting and...

When you've made the decision to learn hand engraving, you have basically 3 options: Spend little or no money but...

Dust is small particles of a material. There are dusts you can see in the air; these can be breathed...

The most widely-used gemstone exploration techniques today are ground-penetrating radar, known as GPR; trace-element analysis, which involves seeking signature elements...

Scoring metal is incredibly important for custom jewelry construction. It enables you to reduce the number of parts in a...

This article offers some laser welding tips that might make your life as a laser welder a bit easier. Read...

This article lists the basic tools someone learning stonesetting might want to have around. One would of course add to...

Fine jewelry represents much more than its trade value in diamonds, gemstones and precious metals. It is a personal representation...

The primary issue with topaz that must be remembered at the bench is its one perfect cleavage direction. Hammering or...

Jewelers need to bend tubing for various constructions, including neckpieces, earrings, catches, and cuff links. Normally, precious metal tubes are...

This Metalsmith's Guide to Los Angeles can be useful to metalsmiths who are new to the Los Angeles area or...

After 25 years as a jeweler, first as a student, an apprentice, an instructor, and now a master instructor and...

In this article, we will continue our Back to Basics Series with an article on Sawing techniques.

Once you've wound jump rings around a mandrel, what's the best way to cut them apart? Some craftspeople use hand-held...

The metal conversion chart below will help you determine the amount of metal needed to create a piece of jewelry...

When I ran a trade shop, time was money, and I often found myself sizing 50 to 60 rings in...

Myth: Singeing buffs to prep them is faster and more effective than raking them. There are as many people in...

Bezel setting is one of the most secure methods of setting a gemstone into a mounting, but one of the...

We use a method for cutting down firescale when using a Presto-Lite Torch along with an acetylene B tank. The...

Besides the safety instructions that you get from a tool manufacturer in the tool manual it may be necessary for...

Goldsmiths sometimes do a little rough and ready lapidary work with emery and leather sticks or even polishing compounds on...

Many craftspeople have posture and body position problems. Ramazzini, the founder of occupational medicine and author of a groundbreaking book...

I have an intimate relationship with my tool collection. Sometimes the needs of a particular jewelry project drive me to...

A sign on the side of a plumbers truck read, In our business a Flush is better than a Full-House....

Many gemstone owners enjoy wearing their treasures. Few things can ruin that enjoyment faster than the discovery of damage such...

When it comes to fine jewelry making polishing is a very important step - it can be the difference between...

Aim for: a well laid-out, orderly workshop, well-lit by multiple non glare light sources, well-maintained equipment, electrically and fire safe,...

This article offers instructions on how to resize platinum rings whether for a size smaller or bigger, as well as,...

One of the most revolutionary advances in recent years, apart from laser welding, is the method of setting stones in...

Gloves are used to prevent skin contact with a hazard, whether physical (like a razor edge on a piece of...

Like most bench jewelers I do a lot of bead setting and like most bench jewelers I take pride in...

A vertical copy stand is sometimes used for shooting prints, drawings, jewelry and other fairly flat objects. A copy stand...

Platinum is a very durable metal, so prongs will last a long time. However, it is sometimes necessary to re-tip...

This article briefly reviews issues of studio safety and discusses ways of recognizing risks in the studio and reducing hazard...

Goldsmiths began to use hydraulic presses in small shops in the 1940s in North America. Factories have used hydraulic presses...

When one gets a new file one traditionally dips it in alcohol and sets fire to it to burn off...

It is sometimes useful to have criticism of one's work in order to develop it. While studying as an apprentice...

Securing curved stones when drilling can be a bit difficult. I use recycled ceramic china, beach pebbles, sea and river...

In high volume production operations, many jump rings need to be closed one after another. For such fast paced operations,...

What if you could sit down at your computer, spend a little time manipulating the mouse, keyboard or electronic pencil...

Although ultrasonic cleaners are great for removing gunk on jewelry, they do a poor job when it comes to removing...

It's an "everyday" kind of repair job. The customer brings in a bangle bracelet that has a broken safety slide....

I came up with this system to solve some production and prioritizing problems at a small custom jewelry store. We...

In the Jewelers Bench Book, the MJSA/Ganoksin project published in spring 2008, there is an extensive look at what happens...

If you're just starting to work with palladium or interested in taking the leap, you should know a few critical...

The links in this 16-in. (40.6cm) necklace are forged so they become flat and work-hardened. The pearl in the featured...

Dermatitis is a group of skin conditions that may often be contracted by exposure to chemicals and metals. These may...

A note on slide developing: you want your slides to be developed for the best quality possi¬ble. If you want...

The popularity of white gold has us all looking to the most perplexing gold we use. Perplexing a variety of...

Most jewelers know how to handle their precious metal scraps: they separate their scraps by metal, dry out ultrasonic solutions...

Myth: Magnesia blocks are superior soldering surfaces to charcoal blocks: A topic that seems to raise a fair amount of...

Joints that fit well make soldering a snap. The next time you need to solder or fuse a bezel, try...

Several shapes of stones have pointed ends, including marquise, pear, heart, and princess. Because these points are often thin and...

This article offers a few tips on making your own wooden raising stakes instead of buying rather expensive metal ones....

Now What? You’ve carved a few waxes or made a piece in metal that you want to mold and have...

Small, fine drill bits used for jewelry making will become dull with normal use. Worn cutting edges make tasks more...

The best 'Sneaky Goldsmith Tricks' involve taking mundane, everyday items and repurposing them as goldsmith's tools. Two classic tricks that...

Granulation, a technique used in jewelry and metalwork, is the decorative use of minute metal granules attached to the surface...

We all drill, all the time. We take drills and what they do for granted, but reviewing the obvious doesnt...

Have a fire plan; ask your fire department for advice. Keep the appropriate extinguishers around and in good shape. Get...

Jewelers work with compressed gases of all kinds, in torch systems, kilns, casting machines, abrasive blasters, laser welding machines needing...

This is a metal frame for a brooch which can be made without any soldering. Findings can be glued or...

An ancient system of working metals, this procedure uses steel punches to manipulate the metal while it is fixed onto...

The difficulty of chain repair lies in the fact that the chain is made up of fine wires. These wires...

Its no secret that palladium has captured the attention of the industry. In 2005, purchase of palladium for jewelry use...

Ask a seasoned bench jeweler how many rings he or she has sized and they'll probably give you a figure...

Ask any experienced jeweler, and they'll tell you: it takes stones to become a gem setter. You literally have to...

Jewelers spend hours fixing damage that they themselves did to the metal. Soft hammers and shaping tools limit the injuries...

You start to turn and there it is again. You go to stand up from your chair and it happens...

In thinking about the daily tasks that I undertake at the bench, I realized how easy it is to fall...

There are a few scientific methods for precisely determining karat gold purity, some destructive (fire assay) and others nondestructive (X-ray...

Jewelers are always molding objects and parts, most often to use for making wax models for casting. There are many...

This is a continuing series of metalsmith's guides to cities, regions and museums throughout the world. The purpose of these...

I'm going to do something different in this issue. Instead of taking you through the steps involved in putting a...

When taking in a piece of pearl jewelry for repair, it may be necessary to remove the pearl to avoid...

This sophisticated bench costs a little more and is a bit more difficult to make than the one on the...

Opinions differ considerably when discussing the ease or difficulty of polishing platinum, but most agree that when a piece is...

This is the second in a series of articles on the art and skill of rendering jewelry and small metal...

In the Spring 2003 Issue we asked the question "What causes these marks on this casting?" Around 100 readers responded...

White, gummy Wonder Bread isn't just for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. It's a fun tool for making hollow forms...

Tweezers are a constant in a jeweler's life, particularly in these safety conscious times. Tweezer use can help reduce your...

Saving some dollars on equipment can be really helpful to a shop's bottom line. Often tools and equipment from other...

Roll printing, or texture transfer, has been around a long time. The ancient Greeks and Romans used various dies and,...

A good selection of burs may be had from your dentist. Dentists often throw out burrs which still have a...

Soldering is a quick and easy method for joining metals. But sometimes two metals require a connection for which soldering...

Every now and then when you are fabricating a piece or polishing a casting, a hole or hollow will pop...

Before sizing any ring, examine it carefully and compare it to the information on the job envelope. If you see...

To begin with I highly recommend this book of technical information and procedures for anyone wanting to learn wax modelling...

By Old burs can serve a number of useful purposes in daily bench work. Here are two tips from jewelers...

This segment from the 2017 MJSA Journal November issue is dedicated to metals, tools, software and more that aids jewelers...

The strength of Computer Aided Design &  Manufacturing is similar to that of any other tool on the bench:it is...

Let's face it, not every snippet of solder winds up in your work. Some pieces fly away during clipping, while...

Often jewelers are called upon to hand fabricate a crown to fit a stone. This is necessary when either the...

The next time you sit down at your bench, don't think of it as just a bench. Think of it...

Noise is so common that we don't tend to think of it in terms of exposure in the same way...

This paper is aimed mainly at the small- to medium-sized jewelry manufacturing operations interested in working with platinum group metals....

Carpal tunnel syndrome is only one of many kinds of repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) and cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs). RSI,...

Jewelers use jump rings extensively as chain components, connectors, and linking devices for multiple construction problems. Here are a few...

Trying to get a really high polish on the inside of a ring can be frustrating. Because inside ring buffs...

Our castings can be flawless, our assembly precise, and our settings secure -- but let any surface go a bit...

This page offers a list of some useful North American Sources for Equipment, Materials, information, etc that would be very...

One of the most basic designs in stone setting is Bezel Setting. It is rudimentary in its concept, and it...

The most important detail in the preparation of gemstone for chemical coloration is that it be clean. Oil and grease,...

Here are some very helpful stone setting tips provided by Gerald Lewy to help and guide you when working on...

In this article Chris Ploof shares tips for sizing, welding, and engraving palladium.

In working on jewelry there are many tasks that seem simple - you just do it and don't think about...

Soldering is a delicate and sometimes difficult process especially when you need to solder very close to a previous solder...

This article lists the following useful bench tools for jewelers including contact information where they can be purchased or ordered....

how one of 3M's radial bristle discs to a non-jeweler friend, and you are almost guaranteed to get a lukewarm...

The holiday season can be rough on jewelers. The long hours spent toiling at the bench trying to fulfill last...

To stretch a wedding band that is larger than your ring stretcher mandrel, slip a copper sleeve over the mandrel...

A sharp graver can improve cutting performance at the bench. There are several approaches to use when detailing a graver,...

I’m hoping this series of articles will save some of you time, money, and embarrassment by discussing some of the...

Firescale has been the scourge of sterling silver casters since the first silver was poured into a mold. It has...

Helen I. Driggs demonstrates how some non-jewelers tools give fabrication a new twist. My background is in graphic design, so...

Click on the image to enlarge and download and you can use this layout form or template to help layout...

The Art versus Craft issue is a complex question and one that has bedeviled creators a great deal in the...

Bezel setting the center sapphire is normally pretty straight-forward, but I would like to share a few tricks that have...

Jump rings may be made most easily by using a small hand drill with various sizes of mandrel. Take a...

How you light your shop, illuminate your working area, experience the reflection from surfaces and the paint you choose for...

A good vise is a vital piece of equipment for any goldsmith because it can act as a third hand,...

Do not get caught in the dark - make certain your shop is well lit. In the jewelry shop, two...

The use of area inlay, called damascening or woven inlay, is common in the ancient metalwork of Iran, India, Japan,...

In past issues of BENCH magazine, I have dealt heavily on making a bead raiser and using it to bead...

There are several ways to make a "box-setting" for enameled work pieces. This is one way on how to make...

Editor's Note: Looking ahead at the coming year, it's just as important to consider the challenges facing the jewelry industry...

This project is dedicated to bench tricks that make working with platinum-or working at the bench in general-easier. This is...

Many tools sold in model/hobby stores can be used for jewelry making. During a recent visit to a hobby shop,...

Sometimes, holding on to really little parts is the greatest challenge of my day. I use tiny cabochons almost daily...

Technical Briefs deals with technical concerns of interest to a wide audience, addressing topics as diverse as vanguard technology and...

Pre-finishing, finishing, polishing and re-finishing have all been tasks usually done with a flexible shaft at the bench and/or a...

Ask any bench jeweler the best way to secure a band-aid to his or her cut finger during a day...

Once more the realm of engineers and number-crunchers, CAD over the years has become more user-friendly and artisan-intuitive. Similarly, small-shop,...

This is a method to reduce technical problems which one repeatedly experienes. We all find during the learning process that...

Sawing is an essential skill for a bench jeweler. This article will show you a technique that will increase your...

From the Editor: It’s happened to everyone. You’re working on a project and everything is going along well until…. Oops....

Procrastination can sometimes lead to wonderful discoveries. Tom Arnold, owner of Facets Fine Jewelry in Arlington, Virginia, found this out...

Bench jewelers hate to throw out used tools. By training and by nature we try to conserve the materials we...

Ergonomics is the safe and effective relationship between a worker and the work environment. For the bench jeweler who spends...

Make the inner band the desired size first. 18 or 20 gauge is about right. Next make the bezel or...

Every caster has seen his or her fair share of investment inclusions. You'll be polishing a casting when suddenly a...

This segment from the 2017 MJSA Journal November issue is dedicated to metals, tools, software and more that aids jewelers...

A cardboard disc sander is a very useful tool. One uses the side or large flap of a fairly rigid...

Often craftspeople start out making craft objects in their living space, a kitchen, a living room, and sometimes continue working...

Every bench jeweler has experienced the frustration of trying to sand and polish a nearly inaccessible area on a piece...

Ask most jewelers about repairing a chain or finding and they’re likely to offer you their best Charlie Brown impression:...

The Flat Topped Solitaire Setting is a popular style setting that is slightly more complicated to set than the standard...

A bench jeweler typically uses a split mandrel to sand and finish the inside of a ring. Various grits of...

I received this opal from a woman who had cut it years ago. Her customer was aware it had a...

While it is clearly impossible to give a set of rules for each tool and procedure that goldsmiths use, this...

Extremely clean metal surfaces give better results. See the article on Cleaning metal Surfaces for more information on cleaning.

This is an exciting era for gemologists. High-tech analytical techniques now make it possible to identify trace elements, treatments, and...

How you set up your shop, your working procedures and workspace can affect your safety, comfort, stress level and efficiency...

Shaping a bezel on stakes is a process of forming the metal by stretching. First the metal is bent with...

Homemade flex-shaft guard using a soft drink plastic bottle, a solution to the annoying and potentially hazardous problem of breathing...

Jeremy Pavlow shares his common jewelry making bench tips by taking advantage of other tools and materials not normally used...

Repairing jewellery is an extremely tricky job. Work often pretends to be something else, metal is not what it is...

Take a look around you. Chances are there is a flex-shaft or a dust collector you've neglected because you've been...

Shawna Kulpa takes a look into the assaying methods refiners use to determine the value of a lot. This article...

Traditionally trained jewelers often scoff at the idea of using glue as a joining method. However, there are times when...

Jewelers have been going green for many years by recycling old or worn-out tools into something new and useful. Setting...

True tales of how jewelers overcame out-of-the-box limitations - Most people who work with their hands become tool mad, and...

Design is a perennial issue for all who produce objects meant for a specific use, utilitarian, in contrast to objects...

This article describes the different tool alterations that any bench man needs to know and learn as guidance for their...

I was recently in Chiang Mai, a city in northern Thailand, where I spent a month visiting silversmiths and chasers...

BW Simon in Spartanburg, South Carolina, made this handy tool for finishing jewelry. I would like to thank him for...

When setting a series of diamonds in a row, I use a 156C and just touch the inside wall of...

This article is an extract from the book 'Hinges and Hinge-Based Catches for Jewelers and Goldsmiths' Not all sizes and...

Designing stock pieces for my jewelry store has never been more fun than it is now that I have a...

Jurgen J Maerz of the Platinum Guild International USA outlines factors to consider when adding platinum to your line of...

Meticulous planning and tedious layout are a big part of a goldsmiths life at the bench. It usually pays dividends...

One requires a taper on the end of the wire to grip it with when placed through a drawplate for...

Technical Briefs deals with technical concerns of interest to a wide audience, addressing topics as diverse as vanguard technology and...

There are numerous mass production processes that bench jewelers can adapt and use to streamline their studio jewelry work. One...

Bur Goodtip, a legendary bench jeweler shows how sometimes a tool is not just a tool... We are taking a...

What is one of the causes of a "rippling or jagged" effect around an inside cutting edge in a Gypsy...

Bench Jewelers often use different methods to accomplish the same work. I believe the end results are what is important,...

Ever since childhood, I’ve been fascinated by rocks and gems. I started cutting cabs more than 40 years ago, and...

There are times during the setters workday where there is a need for a specific tool, but there nothing is...

n this installment we present a mold cutting technique called a spiral cut, which is designed to facilitate the successful...

One of the most difficult aspects of soldering is to heat the piece properly so that the solder will flow....

Check out this list of 19 jewelry making tips and tricks for preparation, cleaning, setting, how-to's and more.

Being more organized, and planning how you use your time will mean that you will spend less time on some...

“You should know what kind of shape you’re in,” joked Arthur Anton Skuratowicz during an MJSA At the Bench Live...

Steve Satow describes the procedure on creating a 14KW Rubellite Tourmaline Pendant. Creating a 14KW Rubellite Tourmaline Pendant Beginning components...

There are many myths about heating pieces during soldering that can cause innumerable problems during relatively simple soldering operations. In...

I like to hold small pieces of metal with a clamp that allows me to file hands free. I feel...

Steve Satow shows the procedure for a customized earring setting pliers using a normal setting pliers. Normal setting pliers can...

This article provides a helpful tip on locating dead center on ring blanks and finding balance on an object. Free-form...

My dad was in the Navy during World War II and was among the personnel who entered Japan shortly after...

This page provides some helpful tips when it comes to resizing damaged rings with stones. Read on for more. When...

Accurately laying out an oval or marquis stone in wax can be tricky business. We learned this foolproof method for...

Many stone setters would agree that one of the most challenging aspects of prong setting is getting the prongs down...

Gemstones that become loose in their settings can cause damage to both the gem and the setting. A regular inspection...

What is a bench trick? A shortcut? A faster way of doing something? A better method? A tool used for...

My finishing techniques are up close and personal. The majority of my polishing work is done at the same proximity...

In the course of my 30 years in the jewelry industry, I can recall many instances of damaged equipment and...

Pantone’s picks are comforting, enveloping, and easy to wear. Warm. Comforting. Effortless. These are just a few of the words...

This article page is from a section "Favorite Tips" from BENCH Magazine 2002 submitted by readers and BENCH Magazine Staff...

When a commercial finding isn't quite right but making the component by hand seems like reinventing the wheel, creative modification...

Contemporary Studio Jewelry There are few faster ways to clear a room than to invite a conversation about the difference...

A drill press (either a full size, miniature, or Foredom) with an end mill or cylinder bur can thin down...

Beading tools and dot punches lose their form and become dull as you use them. You can recondition a tool...

The soldering process, used extensively in all aspects of jewelry manufacturing and repair, joins two or more pieces of metal...

Steve Satow shares his procedure on how to customize bench tools like a beading tool retipper, small parts trays and ...

My kids are grown now, but I still recall how effective they were at pushing each other’s buttons when they...

Stuller had the foresight to offer straight wire that we don't have to remove the bend from before we use...

Steve Satow shares his procedure for customized solder holder and blast shield, and how to make using a Jet Sett...

After writing my recent safety book something unexpected happened. I had a number of calls from lawyers about safety issues....

Much of my business comes from re-cutting colored gems that have been chipped, scratched and broken (not always by the...

Here are some patination sources on the internet. Remember that all patinas are toxic and irritant and should not...

This article page is from a section "Favorite Tips" from BENCH Magazine 2002 submitted by readers and BENCH Magazine Staff...

Find a turntable that
 is size appropriate for 
your bench. In this case
mine is 18 inches wide.
 If possible...

At most trade shows, you could stock up on enough pens, notepads, tote bags, and keychains to start a thriving...

This diagram shows how jewelers approach working in the field in terms of how they relate to the material. The...

One persistent daily challenge a bench jeweler faces is trying to figure out the best way to hold onto tiny,...

Maybe you’re shopping for the latest technologies—the newest developments in CAD/CAM to produce life-like renderings, a laser to engrave your...

Buffer System & Ultrasonic Basket Replacement When we replaced our vacuum tubes for the buffer system I chose to run...

This article page is from a section "Favorite Tips" from BENCH Magazine 2002 submitted by readers and BENCH Magazine Staff...

This article page is from a section "Favorite Tips" from BENCH Magazine 2002 submitted by readers and BENCH Magazine Staff...

In times of increased price competition and global producers, cooperation with designers is also an important factor for large jewelry...

This article page is from a segment of the Metalsmith Magazine (1984 Summer), “Health Hazards”, discussing questions from readers about ...

This article page is from a segment of the Metalsmith Magazine (1984 Spring), “Health Hazards”, discussing questions from readers about...

The hazy days of summer aren’t too soon to begin thinking of designs for the holidays—and how to best cast...

Always try to understand, that you are your own best enemy. Be nice to yourself when tackling the unknown. Realize...

My grandson has spent the last several weeks learning how to walk. This new risk comes with a lot of...

In this project, I will demonstrate a clever method of making equally sized beads. These beads can be used for...

This is the first in a two-part series on green bench tips shared by jewelers who are taking an eco-friendlier...

A worn-out bristle brush can easily be recycled into a useful tool called a whip burnisher or rotary hammer to...

This article page is from a section "Favorite Tips" from BENCH Magazine 2002 submitted by readers and BENCH Magazine Staff....

As the target comes into focus and the operator aligns the crosshairs, elements of the world slowly cease to exist...

In 1959, Victor Papanek gave the third-year students in his creative engineering seminar at Ontario College of Art this problem:...

The art of self-promotion is less about celebrity than it is about perseverance. Breaking into print doesn't take a magic...

This is the second in a two-part series on green bench tips shared by jewelers who are taking another approach...

Since the advent of the Information Age, the marketing landscape has undergone a radical transformation. Pre-internet, businesses used to be...

This article page is from a segment of the Metalsmith Magazine (1983 Summer), "Health Hazards", discussing questions from readers and...

These tweezers are great for gripping melee when straight tips don't give you enough clearance. They allow you to slide...

Linda Weiss-Edwards provides a list of Onsite Consultation for Artists and Schools from each state in the United States in...

This article series from Metalsmith Magazine is named “Recent Sightings” and here Bruce Metcalf talks about art, craftmanship, design, the...