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For setting, I usually use a GRS microblock. Just been using one to hold some 1/2" round to carve a new touchmark, but I really ought to have used...

That’s what I love about my fretz hammers, the handles are my bit of tool porn, they are so lovely to hold and I would imagine to replicate.You'd...

You might find this useful https://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=102&highlight=Workshops

Hi Peter, Do you use a benchmate in place of a ball vise?

HA HA yes it will not be a problem I have plenty of candidates in the shed nice piece of Spotted Gum (Corymbia Maculata) I will post a pic when I...

Setting benches are often slightly different - the ones I've seen are more ergonomic for scope work, while being little to no use for general bench...

Granted, handles are consumable items - but I'm more than a bit surprised that they don't offer replacements. Very odd. If only you knew someone...

Hi all, Many thanks for your replies! It would seem as i feared, there is no perfect bench... I would love to make my own bench, which i...

Some essentials: It should: Be rigid and stable, preferably screwed to the wall. Have an up stand at the back and around the sides, because items...

I built my own, easy for me as I am a Cabinet Maker by trade, I don't like the one bench for everything concept, e.g a separate bench for heavy work...

I’m not sure there is such a thing as a normal bench. Many of us have self builds suited or often not to all our needs! I bought a bespoke bench...

Slight update on this, I've seen on Cousins they have a separate bench type for stone setters... To me, it's doesn't look very different from the...

Thank you Bob. Posted in London and replied from Australia. That is about the highest resolution accepted by the forum Hugh, 700Kb when i posted...

It's not "buying off the forum" - it's a private sale. No different to responding to an advert on Benchpeg.

I will chip in with the obvious "Turquoise"

Spoke to herself and the shop. While they're interested, they're not gonna buy off the forum so no bother. H

I don't know. Acrylic is the only thing you mention. The pic's really low rez, so I don't know. H

Yes the bag I purchased is just the raw shell last time I bought some already cleaned shell and it was twice the price

This stuff was lovely as it was about 1mm thick and just had to be polished. The 70s was a different time as you can’t buy it anymore in that form

If you want to go the polishing route Karen, I would suggest Micro Mesh sheets flat on the bench. Then turn the pieces over and rub each one on it'...

Thanks, I hadn't thought of polishing it all out, would take some doing I think but possible. Don't think I would be able to get it done before...

Quote 'What's the stone in the ring?'.... Have guess Hugh. Thank you Karen, I enjoy seeing your work too. Dennis

MMM! really hard to know almost a try it and see what happens scenario, really makes me mad when I put in a lot of work and some one else wrecks...

I just bought a bag of them from the local Abalone supply company, currently letting the ants do the dirty work

Hi Dennis, I had a peek in here earlier and missed this one from you - these are beautiful, your work always is - I love seeing your creations! ...

Thank you both for the replies and advice. It's quite a lip on the bottom piece and fairly light engraving so worried that if I go over the whole...

When I bought it in the 70s Bob it was called awabi flake so yes it would seem so. It was sold in thin slices for inlay

What a sad story, but as Bob says above, decorators sanding blocks (From paint shops and ironmongers) are thick, hard and flat, so used lightly...

You could go for a different finish and use a suggestion from Dennis go over it with a sponge type sanding block this would give it a brushed look...