What are /r/Benchjewelers' favorite Products & Services?

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Foredom has definitely been the industry standard for a long time, it’s a good choice.

My former teacher does tool testing for a few companies and was given one of these, she said it’s great and has it permanently set up at her apprentice’s bench. She recommended it to me as I was looking to get my own flex shaft but foredom is expensive and I was looking for a good deal on a used one. Personally I can’t tell the difference during use. The pedal does look and feel cheap in your hand but it works great. It came with a lot of accessories that I wasn’t expecting and I think it’s unbeatable for the price. I don’t know if the long term quality compares to foredom yet but that might not matter for your needs.

Edit: whoops, forgot the link!

SE 979FSG Flexible Shaft Grinder, Chuck, Pedal, Switch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NW4YRK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_POhHCbNP3EWAD

Theory and Practice of Goldsmithing https://www.amazon.com/dp/0961598492/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_W9YEGY00MC8B3WAC568K

Jewelry: Concepts And Technology https://www.amazon.com/dp/0385041853/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_WQRYPR93Y8ZQ00ESJRHG

I haven't bought any to try yet, but this is the only one I can reliably find on amazon (that doesn't also have crap reviews). I just can't give you any personal review on it.

Sure! I found this led https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P8PMCCS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_5D1SE581Q5VA0X5BCPFQ?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 and this battery https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07F1PTJCH/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_FN734P0YYKDJMKV443WQ?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 voltage doesn't align exactly but it'd work with a little tweaking

I just got an IV pole for mine, I can wheel it around, and it's nice and sturdy, and the height is adjustable.

I've got the next size up from this: https://www.grizzly.com/products/grizzly-4-x-6-micro-metal-lathe/g0745 and have used it for years. But I'm generally cutting steel (slowly.) It's got to be more than enough for jewelry work.

You MIGHT want to look at something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Machine-Woodworking-Milling-Grinding-Polishing/dp/B07Z2KPGMK/

But..I'm not sure I'd trust those as far as I could throw 'em. The price point might be low enough to be worth the risk though.

Get on ganoksin.com They’ve been collecting info, research, conversations and help all in one place since the mid 1990’s. They’ve got a beginners corner and a wealth of info from all over

Also, check out The Jeweler's Bench Book https://www.amazon.com/dp/0979996201/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_1u-BFb0FWFERQ

https://www.ganoksin.com/learning-center/

Ganoksin has a ton on gravers and dressing them as well as burs and how to set. Check out all Gerry Lewy I believe is his name. He’s very generous with his knowledge and has many videos for little or no money and is a stone setting king

This stuff right here is perfect. Use as much or as little as u need, it dries completely clear and is much better than superglue. You can do very small drops on toothpicks or pinheads, and it doesn't run like superglue.

Also available from jewelry suppliers like Stuller, I just threw out this amazon link for brevity:

https://www.amazon.com/Epoxy-330/dp/B00A980F0I

That's fair. It was tolerable until COVID but so were most jobs. I will say it was a really good experience for getting skills specific to the industrial standard for jewelry making and repairing. Soldering with a handheld propane torch at home or in class is very different from a trade soldering torch and it's techniques. Side note. I can't suggest this book enough for people new to jewelry making. The jewelry and metal working courses I took in high school were based off this book. It has some really cool information and the best part about it is since it's an older book most of the instructions refer to hand tools which cost less compared to modern machines while still being relevant to the modern shop. It also includes nice stuff like karat conversion tables for making your own solder as well as melting point charts, precious metal breakdowns etc. There's stuff in here my master jeweler wasn't even familiar with.

https://www.amazon.com/Metalwork-Enamelling-Herbert-Maryon/dp/0486227022

I wish you luck!

I use this generic brand of radial discs. They work pretty good and you can stack multiple discs to have a wider sanding disc.

Thanks for the input. I’ll try out the compound I got and if it doesn’t work out I’ll get some of your recommendations.

I use some radial bristle discs. I usually start with 400 or 600 and it goes all the way up to 2500. I tried to polish with the dremel polishing compound and I got a worse finish than with the 2500 grit.

I just purchased this polishing compound kit but I haven’t had a chance to try it.

I also have a tumbler but it’s not the best at reaching tight corners.

My jewellery teacher used an Archimedes string drill for the entire first decade of her career. Very commonly used not so long ago! Still see them for sale sometimes too.

Here's some pics: https://www.ecosia.org/images?q=Archimedes+drill+jeweller+bow

My current boss has been a setter for 40 years and still refuses to use a flex shaft for setting. He uses only hand gravers, hand beaders, etc. No hammer handpiece at all.

I hadn't thought of duck tape, that actually sounds like it might work. I tried 5 minute epoxy on the screw on the crockpot I'm replacing, but it did not hold up well.

I wonder if something like this Gorilla patch and seal spray would work? Kinda expensive though just for this one thing.

Maybe a clear car spray paint might be like what you're thinking of with the plastic sealing paint?

If you can find a copy of this book somewhere it has a lot of very useful information on alloys and everything else.

Melting Furnace RapidFire Programmable Tabletop Kiln Melter Jewelry Gold Silver PMC Metal Clay Enamel Bead Making Ceramic Firing https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CUKD1UY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_fabc_Nks.FbEA6FH8E?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 actually cheaper now

Like this? 316L?

https://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Steel-316L-Gauge-Wire/dp/B07CJLTNR4/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=stainless+steel+wire&qid=1573740111&s=arts-crafts&sr=1-4

I'm hesitant to buy anything other than a brand I've heard of, and a couple of people I've seen use this Dremel one (https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MJW07Z0), which is a reasonable $30. But if I could get a reliable one for less, I will! What brand/model do you use?

Editing this entire comment. I'm not sure about whether a small plastic cup (like a yogurt cup) would break down, but I just had a thought that might be great for you. If you're concerned about the longevity of the item and want to keep it in the pickle pot, what about the ceramic cup from a tea steeping mug set? This is what I'm talking about. It has holes pre-drilled, and I don't think it should break down because it's ceramic.

Do you think I should maybe use my pencil torch instead of my micro torch?

http://www.amazon.com/Bernzomatic-Micro-Torch-Butane-Carded/dp/B0034YNMD6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1432342966&sr=8-2&keywords=pen+butane+torch

It's a little finicky sometimes but great for small stuff.