This is so neat, I never thought of the drill press for stone cutting! Also helpful to see your process for bezel making and stone setting. I always (gently) hammer set my stones as I have a tough time with the bezel rocker but you’ve inspired me to try again. Thank you for sharing your knowledge
I think it feels like I don’t have the wrist/hand strength to push in the bezel and it doesn’t get tight enough to the stone (even after using the burnisher, too). I’m using fine silver bezels so I know they shouldn’t be too tricky to push in but I still seem to get stuck!
You may already be doing these things, but here are a few tips: 1. place the ring in a vice that sits at hip-height or lower so that the effort is not placed on your wrists but more in your core. 2. Work the rocker from the bottom of the setting upward, basically like working the air bubbles out of a window decal. 80%+ of the work can be done with the rocker before using the burnisher. I only use the burnisher for the very top of the bezel.@@Solarwilds
Loved this great video, I sure hope you will either offer this ring shank how to on your site or here because it is amazing. Thank you for sharing with us
Great video… I use diamond Cores for my Seaglass… But I use them to cut the sea glass into smaller round pieces, that to large to make a piece of jewelry…I never thought about using the diamond cores to flatten my Seaglass, so I can set it into a bezel. I’ve been using my sander with a water bowl…And I have to go outside to do this because I don’t want glass particles flying all over my little studio that I have. Anyway, I am going to use my diamond Cores to flatten out my Seaglass so thank you for that tip… hugs 🤗, Michelle
Absolutely! I was actually thinking I would do a ring shank like the one in this tutorial, including a word. I'm also planning on showing how to create a ring with a rock set inside another rock. There's SO much we can do!
Those Silversmith hands! I am so excited to try this as I always collect beach stones when I visit my daughter at WWU in Bellingham. I didn’t think I could do this with just my drill press. I can’t wait to get your book this spring and take a class with you! When will you be doing classes in Winthrop again? Also, you should talk to the Director of the Emerson in Bozeman, MT about doing a class here! Be well.
I will look up Emerson, thank you for that. I'm teaching on a regular basis in my personal studio. I have a few spots left in one fall 2024 workshop but they're otherwise full. Are you on my email list? .... and let me know how it goes with the cabochon!
Please excuse my very basic question, but did I get this right? You go right straight to flux & soldering after pickling? I always thought I had to brass brush the white silver off before soldering. If I heard/watched you correctly, you have just saved me a bit of PITA in my process! My sink is in a different (but nearby) room and I always hate leaving my soldering set-up to brass-brush the metal. Doing a reserved happy dance over here now. Also, thank you for mentioning your pick is not hot when you pick solder. I've been struggling to get my solder ball "off" the pick and onto the join. I'll bet it's due to my hot pick (***blush*** and I've been purposefully heating it).
Nicole, I'm really enjoying your channel - and stoked to learn some of your tricks. I'm wondering, do YOU really use the "H,M,then Easy" protocol for soldering in your own practice, or is this just because this is a beginner tutorial video? I know you've b😮een at it for a long, beautiful, and revered time, and easy solder is..... not a good color match, and mostly eschewed by pros, yet frequently espoused to/for beginners. I always want to learn the behind the scenes "why's and how's". It's interesting to see all the varied techniques of masters.
Yes, now I definitely use hard, medium and easy. I never use the super easy though. But I also use heat sinks constantly to prevent previous solder joints from coming loose, especially when I'm working on sculptural pieces.
Nice! Liked the method for flattening with the core drill. I've enjoyed all your videos. Thanks for sharing. Cheers Jim
Thank you for showing us your process and sharing your precious time to provide us an opportunity to learn more from you…❤
You're so sweet, Kim. Thank you!
Spectacular! The ring shank is amazing. ❤
Thank you!
Very helpful, thanks
I learned something new today, thanks so much. just when you knew everything.
Yay, thank you!
This is so neat, I never thought of the drill press for stone cutting! Also helpful to see your process for bezel making and stone setting. I always (gently) hammer set my stones as I have a tough time with the bezel rocker but you’ve inspired me to try again. Thank you for sharing your knowledge
What do you find difficult about the rocker? Maybe I can help with some tips?
I think it feels like I don’t have the wrist/hand strength to push in the bezel and it doesn’t get tight enough to the stone (even after using the burnisher, too). I’m using fine silver bezels so I know they shouldn’t be too tricky to push in but I still seem to get stuck!
You may already be doing these things, but here are a few tips: 1. place the ring in a vice that sits at hip-height or lower so that the effort is not placed on your wrists but more in your core. 2. Work the rocker from the bottom of the setting upward, basically like working the air bubbles out of a window decal. 80%+ of the work can be done with the rocker before using the burnisher. I only use the burnisher for the very top of the bezel.@@Solarwilds
@@ringgoldnic thank you so much, Nicole! I will try out these tips
That is a great video. what is the vise you have? thx so much.
Thank you so much a great video ,beautiful ring ❤️😊
Thank you!
Thank you! This video is so helpful!
Oh good! That makes me happy.
Loved this great video, I sure hope you will either offer this ring shank how to on your site or here because it is amazing. Thank you for sharing with us
It's on my list of tutorials to add here! Thank you.
Great video… I use diamond Cores for my Seaglass… But I use them to cut the sea glass into smaller round pieces, that to large to make a piece of jewelry…I never thought about using the diamond cores to flatten my Seaglass, so I can set it into a bezel. I’ve been using my sander with a water bowl…And I have to go outside to do this because I don’t want glass particles flying all over my little studio that I have. Anyway, I am going to use my diamond Cores to flatten out my Seaglass so thank you for that tip… hugs 🤗, Michelle
Yes, I use it to shave off the bottom of sea glass as well. It works like a charm!
Well done, thank you!
Thank you for the informative video-I am so inspired !
Kind thanks! 💙
Thank you for the video. You do a great job explaining. Can you make a video on how to make (including how to size) an open shank ring ?
Absolutely! I was actually thinking I would do a ring shank like the one in this tutorial, including a word. I'm also planning on showing how to create a ring with a rock set inside another rock. There's SO much we can do!
Those Silversmith hands! I am so excited to try this as I always collect beach stones when I visit my daughter at WWU in Bellingham. I didn’t think I could do this with just my drill press. I can’t wait to get your book this spring and take a class with you! When will you be doing classes in Winthrop again? Also, you should talk to the Director of the Emerson in Bozeman, MT about doing a class here! Be well.
I will look up Emerson, thank you for that. I'm teaching on a regular basis in my personal studio. I have a few spots left in one fall 2024 workshop but they're otherwise full. Are you on my email list? .... and let me know how it goes with the cabochon!
Please excuse my very basic question, but did I get this right? You go right straight to flux & soldering after pickling? I always thought I had to brass brush the white silver off before soldering. If I heard/watched you correctly, you have just saved me a bit of PITA in my process! My sink is in a different (but nearby) room and I always hate leaving my soldering set-up to brass-brush the metal. Doing a reserved happy dance over here now. Also, thank you for mentioning your pick is not hot when you pick solder. I've been struggling to get my solder ball "off" the pick and onto the join. I'll bet it's due to my hot pick (***blush*** and I've been purposefully heating it).
Correct. I eliminate the brass brush process by heating (annealing) my pieces. I anneal, pickle, quench, then move right to fluxing and soldering.
Thank you for this tutorial!! Can you recommend a small affordable drill press for a beginner that would work?
I purchased mine through Harbor Freight, but you can just as easily get an affordable and quality one at Home Depot.
THIS BAND 😍🥲🤤
I'll do another tutorial on how to create the band.
Nicole, I'm really enjoying your channel - and stoked to learn some of your tricks. I'm wondering, do YOU really use the "H,M,then Easy" protocol for soldering in your own practice, or is this just because this is a beginner tutorial video? I know you've b😮een at it for a long, beautiful, and revered time, and easy solder is..... not a good color match, and mostly eschewed by pros, yet frequently espoused to/for beginners. I always want to learn the behind the scenes "why's and how's". It's interesting to see all the varied techniques of masters.
Yes, now I definitely use hard, medium and easy. I never use the super easy though. But I also use heat sinks constantly to prevent previous solder joints from coming loose, especially when I'm working on sculptural pieces.
Nicole - did you tumble your collection of stones? They look shiny.
The ones in this tutorial, yes. But I have many that have not been tumbled, and I "polish" them with essential oils.
What form of protection do you use on your vice? Thanks
One of my vices already has rubber padding. The other (a ball vice), I often pad with a rag. That seems to be sufficient.
😊😊
What drill press do you have?
Good morning. Mine is a Century Machinery 13" drill press from Harbor Freights
'Promo SM' 😭
Hi! I follow you in Instagram too, and I love your work , actually your post Bring me joy , i m from mexico so please forgive my english ♥️
You're wonderful, thank you! And your English is WAY better than my Spanish!