Easy Tools for Working at Different Heights and Angles
Getting the best view and angle while making your jewelry makes your work more precise, much quicker, and is better for your body. I use dowels of different lengths with thermoplastic on each end to give me a range of positions to view my work for different tasks. They fit into a vise and allow me to find just the right height and angle to work on my piece.
Instructions
These dowels hold the pieces in thermoplastic at one end and the other end has thermoplastic shaped into a rectangle shape that is similar to the space of a vise to give it more surface area to grip and secure it in the vise. Because the dowel is very secure it is easy to rest your hands around your piece to give you greater control using your tools. The larger you make the thermoplastic base the more secure the setup will be.
The more surface area the vise has to grip the stronger the hold will be.
Thermoplastic is easy to use, it is soft and pliable in very hot water and it is hard at room temperature. For more info see my tip 'Using Thermoplastic in Jewelry Making'.
The vise will hold a dowel without thermoplastic but if you are hammering on your piece or placing pressure on the dowel the hold won't be as strong without the bottom thermoplastic and it will move around.
You can also use square or rectangular pieces of wood, I use dowels because I can easily cut them with a jeweler's saw and I find the round shape easier to work on if I'm resting it against my bench pin.
You can also use square or rectangular pieces of wood, I use dowels because I can easily cut them with a jeweler's saw and I find the round shape easier to work on if I'm resting it against my bench pin.
Secure your dowel in any vise and adjust the angle to find the right position.
You can make a range of heights with different dowels.
The mound of thermoplastic around the piece can be used to support your hands which is more comfortable and gives you greater control.
Materials
No materials listed
Tools
1 1/2 Inch Mini Fixed Table Vise
G10-20
- G10-20
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $9.27
- Gold Club Price: $6.95
Bench Vise, 2 Inch Jaws
VIS-204.20
- VIS-204.20
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $13.95
- Gold Club Price: $10.46
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- Category: Tools
- Technique(s): Tools
Kylie Jones
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