TOOLS:

  • Standard Block Graver Ball  if you need to purchase (GRS #003-468 $468.00 – 19 lbs) or equivalent (A mini graver ball will not work)(mention your taking this class for 10% off at GRS) you can shop for other balls on line,they must be at least 10lbs.
  • Jewelers Saw
  • Saw Blades (4/0, 5/0,6/0,7/0 8/0) choose a size or 2(lots of blades,you’re going to break them or you’re not doing pushing the technique)
  • Small Drill Bit Assortment (Suggested #74 for most #77 and #76 for fine work)
  • File Assortment – including Needle Files
  • Dividers
  • Bur Assortment
  • Sanding Stick for smoothing up the punches
  • Assortment of Gravers (If you have them)
  • Small Chasing Hammer – very light
  • Large Pin Vise (for holding the punches while filing and hardening – large enough to hold a 1/8″ square rod)
  • Your favorite hand tools that you can’t live without
  • Sharpening Stone (at least 6″)
  • Large bastard file – for filing steel punches (file cannot be too big or corse)
  • Fee for tool kit ($100 to be paid to artist, cash or check please), includes:
    3- #1 onglette gravers
    1- #5 onglette graver
    1- #40 flat graver
    1- #54 round graver
    6 – wooden graver handles
    stick of thermo lock (for holding work)
    1- heavy plate (for gluing work to)
    1- practice plates (cooper for getting started
    3- 1/8 water hardening tool steel rods (for making punches
  • A design of your choosing which you will transfer to your metal.
  • Gems you want to design around
  • Gold in the dimensions listed below (see Metal). I suggest practicing on nickel before moving on to precious metal.

NOTES from Tom:
You will have to use in class with an option to buy set of punches: 2 planishing, 1- tracing, 1-cup punch, light chasing hammer. Also I’ll have some tools from tevel at all craft for purchase.

To get ready for class, please saw pierce coins!! I can’t stress enough that saw piercing is going to be very important. Practice, practice, practice…

If you have questions, feel free to email me and include your phone # and i’ll call you back. Include a photo of what your question is about (is this a good tool? or can i work on this?). A photo that we can both see leads to good answers for both of us (please give a phone number: I will not email you back).

Optional items:
You have the option to make a ring (more complicated project) or a flat design.  All metal should be between 1.5-2mm thick (16-12g).

Metal: 
All metal should be thicker in size, at least 1.5mm thick-16-12g is preferred and can be as large as a 2″x3″; 1″ x 2″ pieces are fine if you have it. (1″x2″ piece of Nickel Silver (1.5mm thick) to practice techniques)

If you want to work on a ring you will need to bring the following:

  • You must have the ring prepared in advance with the preferred metals in a gauge at least 1.5mm in thickness. If cast, must be cleaned up and already sized. (Tom usually uses 2mm thick)
  • You will need to bring an inside ring holder to work on a ring (Inside Ring Holder-Vertical-GRS item #004-847. $56.95.(mention your taking this class for 10% off at GRS)

Types of Metal: Cooper, Steel, Nickel Silver, Sterling Silver, Argentium, 50/50 Copper/Silver, 18K Gold, Bronze, “Nu-Gold” or the equivalent. NO BRASS-it is too flakey.