More New Toys To Play With!

I'm a tool junkie and I admit it. Is there an AA style group for it? The more I learn, the more tools I need, afterll how can I make those cool designs without it? (at least that's my reasoning behind it).

So here are my latest tools, all came yesterday through the post (shown from left to right).

I got a round sandbag, because hammering around here is quite tricky with me living in a flat. I hope I can dampen a bit of the sounds and also make it easier on my table. I was using a thicker cloth and a mouse pad, but I think it was still not enough.

Next I got the heavy Euro Power Punch which can punch out various size rounds from a sheet of copper or sterling silver. It's heavy, just like the sandbag (the shipping cost me quite a lot as well, as it was sent via UPS due to the weight). I can't wait to start using this tool, I have so many ideas already!

Then I got myself a texture hammer with two different texturing styles (dimples and narrow lines) - you can see it here. Having recently bought a huge copper sheet of 0.7mm, I can't wait to start hammering on it and making some fun textures.

Finally I got the smaller Euro Punch plier which makes one type of hole only, of 1.8mm. Perfect for adding a jump ring to a pendant through the hole. It's this one that I got, with the round hole. There are 2 more styles (with square and oval holes) which are on my wishlist, will get them eventually. For now I really needed this as I was struggling to drill a hole with a Dremel, I just couldn't keep the tool steady for it. I guess I do need a flex shaft, or I don't know how to use the drilling part of the Dremel (or I don't have the right drill bits), but anyway, I've already tried this small tool and it's perfect for my needs. It also comes with a replaceable tip, which is a great thought by the developers.

Can't wait this weekend to start using my new fun metalsmithing tools!

Jewelry Tools On My Wishlist

The more things I'm learning on making jewelry, the more tools I need. Wire wrapping, chain maille, and now metalsmithing too (albeit only a beginner at it), these all need high quality tools to not only save time, but also make great quality jewelry - working only with the hands goes only so far... And with the limited amount of extra money most of us have, it's quite challenging to fulfill our wishes all the time. So I've started to add most coveted jewelry tools to a wishlist that I will keep in this post, transferring them from the notepad I was keeping them in. As I manage to *gulp* buy a new tool, will cross it off the list.

If you do have any of these tools, let me know in the comments section if they're worth getting, or better to go for something else instead. Also I'm curious what are some of the tools that you want to get and are on your wishlist?

So here goes my list.

• A new jeweler's saw - bought (although I secretly dream about a Knew Concept Saw)
• V-Slot Bench Pin and Clamp - bought through Ebay, just came in the mail
• A Foredom Flex Shaft
• A nice big anvil (like this one)
• And speaking of Fretz tools, a couple of cool texture hammers for metal forming and shaping wouldn't hurt either
• Tronex cutters and pliers
• A leather sandbag (shown here)
• A Pepe (or Swanstrom) disk cutter
• A dapping tool
• The new Pepe Jumpringer (supposed to be available soonish) for chain maille
• Alternatively the Ringinator would be a great choice (actually my first choice before I saw the new Jumpringer pictures on Facebook)
• A larger bench block than my small square that I currently have
• Chasing tools (like these ones)

Got Myself Some New Cool Jewelry Toys

I was browsing Zoraida's blog, specifically the post about bracelet mandrels, when it dawn on me that I want one too! I haven't done many bangle style bracelets, or those that actually need a mandrel, but for the few I've done, I've always shaped them by hand, with not the best results, especially if you want to sell those pieces.

So off I went to the local jewelry store (my usual store for buying sterling silver wire), and I came home with not one, but ...several goodies that emptied my wallet for the moment. Oh well, it's for a good cause.

(click the picture for the large view)

So I came home with the bracelet mandrel- I actually wanted a stepped one, but they only had this, and when I saw it, I quite liked it, so it got sold.

I bought a jeweler saw, as my old one is getting undone and it doesn't hold the blades as well as it should. Then got myself the actual blades, as I didn't have this size - 1. I have 2/0 and 3/0, but those are for sterling, and I found that they don't work as well for cutting bronze rings, which is much harder then silver or copper. So I'll give these a try. At the shop they assured me it will work.

Then bought a small table vice with clamps made specially for jewelry work. I have a huge old one that is kind of awkward to work with, so it was time to upgrade.

Then bought some leather-like cord for any copper pendants I might do, and finally 3 finger protectors since I need them for when cutting wire for jump rings with the jeweler's saw. I have 3 but they're already worn out and I wanted some shiny new ones.

Oh and the small black thingie in the middle, it's some bracelet display made of hard plastic. It was very cheap on Ebay and it happened to arrive today, so I added it to my 'cool toys to play with' stash.

So there, my haul for today thanks to Zoraida, lol. And I only wanted a bracelet mandrel...