Industry specialisms

[newbie2012]

Hello

I know this is a little subjective, but what are the differences between the specialisms of mounting, setting and polishing, in terms of:

- character/skills: for example, does one require more patience/accuracy/creativity/strength than another?
- demand: for example, is one more in demand than another?

Just curious!
Thanks

[Dennis]

Dunno. As an amateur who makes one offs I tend to avoid sending anything out. If I can't do it I try to find another way, or learn how. The specialists I most admire are setters, for their acute eye sight, economy of tools and sure hand with scorpers.

[newbie2012]

Yes, I've heard that setters mostly work by eye- must be like musicians having a good ear...

[ps_bond]

According to the guy who taught me, there's an awful lot use scopes now. And you'll always inspect with a loupe rather than the naked eye. One thing that surprised me with bright cutting is just how much of it ends up being by feel more than by eye.

As for your original question - I'm in the same camp as Dennis. I'm also sufficiently impractical (in time terms) as to want to learn to do everything myself. But... I have the luxury of time to be able to.

[Kwant]

Ahhh the luxury of time, there is a lot to be said for it :0)

says one who does all things as and when he feels like it.

[Goldsmith]

Looking at this question made me think back to my early trade days, the company that I worked in from being an apprentice and ending up department workshop manager, had so many different departments with a total workforce of about 90, each department with skilled workers who all had their specialism titles, I was apprenticed as a goldsmith/smallworker but I worked among, silversmiths, metal spinners, silver boxmakers, mounters, setters, pearl stringers, chasers, engine turners, casters, clockmakers, lapidaries, polishers, engravers, flutemakers, gilders, silver platers, and a burnisher, wooden and ivory handlemakers and specialist casemakers. It makes me sad when I see how many parts of the trade are now in decline.

James