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Taking Care of Your Rolling Mill

by Judy Larson
I recently visited a friend to help with new skills needed for a beautiful pair of earrings she was making to match a necklace her husband gave her. One thing led to another and we started working on how to use a few pieces of silver that had cracked, which led to the rolling mill she has had for over a year and used quite often. Since it had started to rust, I gave her a little tutorial on roller care - after removing as much of the rust as possible.
Instructions
Rust is the enemy of rolling mill rollers.

If your rolling mill is used or stored in a humid environment, clean the rollers after every use or at the end of the day.

This is especially important if the mill experiences temperature changes that cause moisture to condense on the metal.

Coating the rollers will help preserve their smooth, shiny surface for longer.

Cut a ¾" dowel slightly shorter than the width of the rollers and sand the ends smooth.
Cut an old cotton terry towel into pieces about 6 inches (15 cm) long and the width of the dowel.

Use a sewing machine to zigzag stitch around the edges twice to prevent fraying.

Trim any loose fuzz.

Wash and dry the finished pieces to remove extra terry loops that might fall off and get stuck in the rolling mill.

For extra caution, I ran mine through the washer and dryer twice.
Fold the terry piece over the dowel.
Judy Larson's Taking Care of Your Rolling Mill - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, taking care of a rolling mill
Judy Larson's Taking Care of Your Rolling Mill - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, Fold the terry
Open the rollers one full turn using the calibration gear.

Push the terry-covered dowel through the rollers with the roller crank. Adjust the rollers as needed so both turn smoothly.

For mine, it's one full turn plus 13 clicks note your setting for next time.

Apply some metal polish to each roller. The terry cloth will help spread it evenly.

Crank the rollers for several minutes, then turn the crank backward to remove the dowel and cloth.

Turn the cloth inside out and repeat to remove excess polish while leaving a protective film against corrosion.
Judy Larson's Taking Care of Your Rolling Mill - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, taking care of a rolling mill
Judy Larson's Taking Care of Your Rolling Mill - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, Swipe some metal polish on each roller
I keep all my small terry pieces in a gallon-sized resealable plastic bag.

Inside that bag is a smaller resealable bag for used cloths, which should only be used once, along with the dowel and polish.

The calibration setting needed for cleaning is written on the outside of the bag, so I don't have to remember it.

The bag is stored in a basket on the rolling mill stand for easy access.
Pro Tip: I keep a tube of the same polish in a drawer of my jewelry worktable. I use it to periodically clean, polish and protect metal tools and mandrels.
Judy Larson's Taking Care of Your Rolling Mill - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, taking care of a rolling mill
Judy Larson's Taking Care of Your Rolling Mill - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, I keep a tube of the same polish in a drawer
COVERING THE ROLLING MILL
When not in use, it's a good idea to cover your rolling mill.

This keeps dust, grit, and humidity from damaging the machine.

A bonus is that curious little elves like grandchildren and husbands are less likely to mess with it.

I made my cover from thick, washable upholstery fabric. Avoid non-breathable materials, as they can trap moisture.

Try to place your rolling mill in the least humid spot in your workspace.

I wish I could follow this advice, but mine sits just outside a basement bathroom, where daily shower humidity is an issue.

Even so, I clean the rollers at least once a week and regularly check for corrosion.

After six years in this spot (with an exhaust fan), I haven't seen any damage, but I stay vigilant.
Judy Larson's Taking Care of Your Rolling Mill - COVERING THE ROLLING MILL, Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, Try to place your rolling mill in the least humid spot

Materials

Terry cloth towels
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Wooden dowel needed size
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Metal Polish
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
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Tools

Rolling Mill 80mm
MIL-280.10
  • MIL-280.10
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $349.95
  • Gold Club Price: $262.46
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Mini Rolling Mill - Mini C80 from Durston
DUR-1000
  • DUR-1000
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $965.33
  • Gold Club Price: $724.00
Add to Bag
Add All Items to Cart
  • Category: Tools
  • Technique(s): Tools

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