Lots of Toys

We all do it.  We get excited by all the "toys" AKA tools out there.  And of course we think we have to have them all (which we often find out later is not really the case.)

A good example of this is the "measuring sticks" for rolling out the clay.  All people who work with metal clay know that the clay is rolled out between two level surfaces to create the desired thickness.  This results in a slab of clay that is even the whole way across it's surface.  (This is a technique that comes from the ceramic world, although a slab roller works so much better than two sticks.)  In metal clay the depth of the clay is referred to as so many cards thick.  Three cards thick is a typical thickness for earrings and pendants.  Rings and bracelets are usually thicker, around six cards thick.   One can buy many different sets of "measuring sticks" (and I have.)  But for me nothing beats taking the actual cards, gluing them together with a glue stick (make sure the number on the top reflects the thickness of the stack) and cutting them in half.  Cheap and effective.

I do have many tools that are very useful and I couldn't live without them, like my flex-shaft.  (My tumbler hasn't seen the light of day since I started relying on the flex-shaft. )

But my usual method is to buy the tool and wait months (maybe even years) before I try it.  That's exactly what I did with the flex-shaft, even though I had a great book to use as reference.  I know there are still many things yet that I haven't learned about the flex-shaft. (Give me time!)

Yesterday I finally got around to using another "I just have to have this" tool.  That would be my drill press.  I was trying to line up two pieces of metal clay and drill them (in the exact same place) so I could sandwich them with rivets.  It didn't happen.  My sense of direction in the world and on the golf course is bad.  It's no better when it comes to drilling.  Keep the drill straight?  Yeah, right.  Needless to say that piece did not work out.  Hence the need for the drill press.

Since this takes me into a whole other story I'm going to stop talking and save that one for tomorrow night's post.

Stay tuned!

Who knew?

   Who knew there was so much to the flex-shaft.  I just started perusing (like that big word?) my new book - "Making the most of your Flex-shaft" by Karen Christians.  

   I've owned a couple of handheld rotary tools over the years that came with all sorts of bits, wheels and mandrels; none of which I knew how to use.  So, they got limited use and weren't very effective (since I didn't know what I was doing!)  

  As I've said in my very first post, I'm not a jeweler.  I'm a metal clay artist who makes jewelry.  I had one jewelry class in college, many moons ago which was all fabrication.  So, I am learning as I go (and there is sooooo much to learn.)  Right now my focus is on the flex-shaft tool (and making metal clay toggles.)

   Anyway, the gist of this post is a book review.  I haven't read it all yet, but I can see that my new flex-shaft book will be an invaluable resource that I will be referring to often.  (Because like most directions that come with tools.... they don't tell you squat!) 

   The book covers every little detail you might want to know from the invention of the flex shaft to maintaining it.  There are chapters on choosing the right motor, the proper hand piece, the proper bur or bit and mandrel.  Then she covers abrasives, grinding wheels, buffs, etc.  There are attachments available to extend the capabilities of the tool and a chapter that goes beyond the basics.  And, finally in the back are resources for jewelers.

  As I've looked through this book, I've had some Aha! moments.  Now I know what that little drum shape was for or that stack of what looked like gritty toothless saws and the pointy screw mandrel.  All those years wasted, while I was waiting for such a book full of information.  I sure could have used the knowledge I've gained from this book when I was teaching.  I would let my students use the rotary tools when we were doing sculptures, but we weren't getting the most out of it.  At least I was aware of the safety issues.  That came from my college sculpture teacher scaring the crap out of us when it came to power equipment and I thank him for that.  (He cut his hand in half using the table saw!)

  Point in case.  This is a must book to have if you have a flex-shaft.