Stone setting

[MuranoSilver]

I'm quite happy with all types of bezel setting stones
but would quite like to try tube setting.

Is it best to learn this on facetted stones or cabs?
Should I start with CZs or a gemstone (I've got sapphires, peridots, topaz and diamonds to hand)

I know Peter suggested a DVD set a while back but I can't remember what it was called (think it was rubover setting).
Do I need a pillar drill or do you do it freehand with a pendant motor?

Sorry to ask so many questions
Nic xx

[ps_bond]

I started out with facetted stones in tube settings; there's a really good tutorial on Ganoksin - [Ganoksin] Jewelry Making - Tube setting - an introduction to setting

Freehand, one burr to start cutting the seat and a setting burr to complete it is what I tend to do.

I don't *think* I've ever tube set a cab; I don't use cabs all that often really, and if I do they're usually chunky.

Might as well go for CZ to start with, they're not so bad when you manage to lose them on the floor!

The DVD I like is Bezel & Flush Setting by Blaine Lewis at Welcome to Jewelry Videos - if you have a look at the video clips you'll get some idea of why I'm quite so impressed by it.

Keep 'em coming... Bigwol should be able to add some more to this too?

[MuranoSilver]

That Blaine Lewis Tutorial, I really really fancy getting that.
It's a shame no one in the UK sells it I can't get their shop site to work
so will have to e-mail them

If I started with 3mm & 4mm stones can you suggest some tube widths
that work well and aren't too difficult for beginners (my tolerence area may need to be wider as I embrace my initial wonk,lol)

Would I buy 3 & 4 mm burrs for that or a different size?
nic x

[ps_bond]

I think Otto Frei carry it too? I bought mine direct; they were very helpful in communications.

For 3mm stones, I'd use a 3mm setting burr, a 2.9ish mm round burr (although I prefer bud burrs) - i.e. just fractionally smaller than the stone - and probably RSA004 tubing, per Dave's useful chart - makes for a really nice fit on 3mm stones; you've enough material to form a shelf to support the stone while the resulting wall isn't so thick it is difficult to burnish over.

4mm stones - 4mm setting burr, 3.9ish bud or round, RSA002 tubing.

Or draw your own tubing

You can of course cut the seat with gravers, but this is a bit quicker & easier for round stones.

[ps_bond]

Forgot to say - the burrs more-or-less self-centre in the tubing, so the wall thickness isn't a problem. You end up with about 0.25mm with these dimensions - that's loads!

[MuranoSilver]

Thanks Peter!
I'm off to order some Tube now
Hmm I have loads of burrs that I've hardly used but have no clue on size
do you measure them using a drill guage or put them in your diamond guage holes?
My measuring calipers have points so are useless grrr
nicx

[Cathy at the Beach]

I don't know if this is of any interest to you guys...but how I do tube settings is to solder the correct depth of tube onto a backing ,just like you'd do for a bezel setting. I leave a little flange of silver so that I can clamp the tube which is soldered to the backing (before trimming) to my pin. I then have a firm grip and can cut my seat without the worry of the tube coming loose and flying off! After I'm happy with the seat, I trim off the excess silver and buff the edge and am left with a nicely finished bottom on my tube. I can then solder it where I want it and set the stone. The clamp I use is a heavy duty spring clamp I bought in the hardware store. (I have to use both hands to open it... )

[Lucy]

Ohh I just have to add that the Blaine Lewis dvd's are awsome, and they would be more than happy to mail them to you. I have both and think they are well worth the money - Blaine is a genius at making the difficut simple

Ohh they have a facebook fan page now too - Welcome to Facebook | Facebook if you are ever in the US and have the chance, you have to take a class there

[MuranoSilver]

Lucy I'd love to get hold of Blaines DVDs
nic x

[Lucy]

Welcome to Jewelry Videos

There you go