tube setting.

[sam.k]

Hey all, just looking to be straightened out a bit.
I'm eying up some silver tube but just want to double check I have the right idea when using it.
Lets say I want to set a 3mm stone.
I would buy 3.5mm tube, using a 3mm bur cut the seat, plonk stone in and rub over?
Is that about the gist of it? How high would you leave the rub over? Half a mil or so?
Cheers all.

[Goldsmith]

Yes Sam, that's about right. If you have the cash then you may want to invest in a set of collet closure tools, like these for £84;http://www.eurofindings.com/Product/...g-Set-18-Piece
If you have a lot of setting to do, they make tube setting easier, quicker and neater.

James

[Gemsetterchris]

Just as long as the hole in the tube is less than your stone size.

[sam.k]

I will keep them in mind for the future, I'm just trying my hand at a few different methods currently. I have the tube coming, one of these http://www.cooksongold.com/Cast-Ring...prcode-FSK-059 to give it a poke and the stuff to make some bezels so I should be good for a little while.

the tube I believe has an ID of 2.6mm so if the 3mm stones go through that there is a bit of an issue somewhere

[Dennis]

I think you will be OK for size, as everything turns out to be a fraction smaller than stated. However if you are setting a 3.0mm stone, 0.5mm to rub over is still a little too much.
Dennis.

[trialuser]

Yep, but .25mm will be ok

[sam.k]

dennis don't I half that .5mm as its .25mm either side?

[Gemsetterchris]

Bar setting was discussed not that long ago, should be easy enough to find that thread.
A well made ring will require gently pushing a bar back to "pop in" a stone before straightening back the bar...then repeat along the ring.
Unfortunately these days they aren't designed terribly well & can require abit of faffing about.

[LydiaNiz]

This week I have had 'fun' tube setting emeralds with the most unbelievably different ranges of bottoms. I'm afraid the air will still be blue in the workshop when I return tomorrow :-/ Oh for a 'plonk'!

[Patstone]

I bought the tools that James suggested a couple of years ago and I have used them about three times. Watched the youtube video too and just dont seem to be able to get a good finish with them. End up doing it with a pusher and a final lick with a burnisher.