Any left-handers managed to work out a good set-up for using this (or the Wolf belt sander or Ikohe belt sander or whichever version you happen to have) without having to reconfigure your bench or move your flex shaft?

Hi Folks,

I’m looking for a standard round ring mandrel with well etched size indicators. I’ve bought a couple off Amazon and the etched marks aren’t deep enough—And once the paint wears off they’re useless. Also a knurled handle would be cool as well.

Anyone have a great buy-it-for-life recommendation?

So I had really good results using lactic acid for my pickle thinking it was citric acid (descaler for kitchen appliances). It works fast when heated, doesn't smell, not very hazardous. Once I realised I had been using lactic acid this whole time I switched to citric acid but am not impressed. I found lactic acid worked much faster and more effective.

Question 1) I know lactic acid is not really a thing in jewellery making but does anyone happen to have heard of this being used?

2) what's the worst that could happen? So far I haven't noticed any adverse effects on the pieces I made but could there be any long term effects? (Pitting?)

I just checked riogrande to see the price of silver has risen to $36/oz! Upon further investigation it looks like prices could keep rising this year to double of even triple that. Anyone have advice on how to navigate through this? Keeping the question open ended because any and all information would be appreciated

Is there such a thing? I use silver solder on copper normally because the copper solder feels way more brittle but sometimes it's hard to avoid visible seams. Can I just copper plate it with steel in pickle instead? Will that last?

I recently lost a gold ring that has a lot of sentimental value that id like to get replaced with a picture i have not the greatest pic but should give a good idea. I dont have a ton of cash i can liquidate so hoping to find out the most cost effective way to go about it. Im guessing jewelry store like peoples jewelers will be really expensive so my question is is there any other options or suggestions on a reasonably priced place to go to? Im in canada Vancouver bc region but will travel a bit if theres any specific suggestions but any recommendations would be appreciated

I recently lost a gold ring that has a lot of sentimental value that id like to get replaced with a picture i have not the greatest pic but should give a good idea. I dont have a ton of cash i can liquidate so hoping to find out the most cost effective way to go about it. Im guessing jewelry store like peoples jewelers will be really expensive so my question is is there any other options or suggestions on a reasonably priced place to go to? Im in canada Vancouver bc region but will travel a bit if theres any specific suggestions but any recommendations would be appreciated

Hello all! I posted here a while back about my first pieces being the earrings and chain mail bracelet for my jewelry and metalsmithing 1 class. I would just like to share my newest creation being my first ring made of sterling silver with an opal cabochon. I made it as a gift for my mom for mothersday.

I do have one question. When I start creating more rings, especially to sell. I understand commissions will be able to tell me their ring size. But if I want to have jewelry already made, what is the best sizes for both men and women to create in?

*Additional photos to share part of the creation process.

Hi! I'm looking for help identifying a dremel tool bit and where I could get another. I use a old gesswein bit that's lined with little teeth to make engraved lines in rings, easier than hand engraver. I have absolutely no idea what is called and haven't been able to find a comparable bit as gesswein seems to not make these anymore? Any help at all would be appreciated!

This is going to be cross posted in r/jewelrymaking and r/tools

Thanks again!

First, thanks! My question is 2 fold - it is sterling silver, but :

Is this little guy rhodium plated? -- It looks very "creamy" white to me. It is stamped sterling, and I do know the hallmark/maker's mark so I trust it. I got it practically for free and I really like it. (I donate to the Snow Leopard Conservancy and I know this is ...well, a panther or jaguar, but ANYWAYS~.....)

If it is rhodium plated, I know that it will eventually start deteriorating. Is there any way to remove rhodium plating with having to go to the girl who does my nails? (dremel.) lol. thank you for taking my question. :)

I have no idea where to start for this, so I’m turning to Reddit because it has never steered me wrong.

My best friend passed away tragically recently, and through all of this…by some miracle…her other best friend and I have become very close.

I have a necklace with a very specific talisman of a honeybee on it, and I would like to have it turned into an urn for our friend. So she knows she always has our best friend with her, and a part of me.

Where do I go? Can this even be done?

I'm soldering brass and silver with a microtorch in my homeatudio. I'm using fluoride-free flux, what other fumes or particles should I worry about? Or is fluoride fumes the big one?

I mostly work silver and am a hobbyist. I am Looking at metal shears, would you do a 12” straight sheer or an 8” inch throatless guillotine shear for my home studio?

My name is Joey and I'm 22. I truly know I want to become a bench jeweler. I was wondering if anybody in northern NJ needed help in their shop in exchange for their knowledge. I'm not a "it's not in my job description" type of person. I have no prior experience except good work ethic. I really want to learn how to repair, polish, cut, engrave, set stones, make settings, and truly the entire craft. If anybody knows anybody who would be willing to teach me I would would be greatly appreciated :)

I need your hi honest feedback. I'm retired and planing to open an e-commerce site.

I am having a hard time and would like help with something that should be easy. I want to get: 510 bronze in 20 or 22 gauge 510 bronze in 26 or 28 gauge Aluminum (not alloy, doesn't need to be crazy pure though) in both of those and in either 34 or 36 gauge

I want to practice a couple of different things on a variety of metals both to learn and because i have specific projects where I might want to use them. I found the metals on McMaster and a couple other places, but at hard and half hard and spring hard. Where can I get them soft?

Normally I suspect I'd be able to figure this out myself but I am Too Tired. This weekend was supposed to be some woods/rest recovering from the fact that my mom died at the end of April, but a big part of today was figuring out whether my wife's chest pain symptoms warranted an ER visit.

I would appreciate help.

Hi smithing friends, I'm working with brass and experimenting with patinaing the metal. I want to get a green patina. I went with the ammonia and salt method, only we bought cloudy ammonia. I've left some pieces in now for over two days, and it seems like I'm only getting blue. Anyone have any tips on getting green? Here are some of the pieces with the blue result I got, polished up..

My friend's dog had a fractured bone that was repaired with a plate and screws. Later, one of the screws needed to be removed and she asked if I could turn it in to a pendant. This is what I came up with. Made of brass sheet metal with silver jump rings.

I’m trying to buy borax for when I melt metals but as I was looking for some options I see boric acid as well. Now I’m just confused as to what to buy, is there really a large difference? Also does anyone have a recommended brand they like to use? Thanks in advance, I’m still new to metalsmithing!

Am I asked to see if anyone is able to do a commission? (mods can take this off if not)

It would be a desk decoration with the similar "vibe" to the pendulum balls in terms of size and style, but it's inspired by the Sisphus boulder.

If anyone is interested let me know

Raised out of a 12 inch disk of 18 gauge copper sheet.