Tube settings

[Faith]

Hello
Thought I'd start a new thread as I'm certain I'll need it!

I'm starting two tube settings (first attempt). One for a 4.6mm faceted stone for which I have appropriate tube and burs now as advised by Dennis and Sarah.

For the other I was hoping to set a weeny cab - 3mm. My idea was to use two bits of tubing in a telescoping fashion for this. I've bought the tube, one piece with external diameter 3mm, one piece with internal diameter 3mm. I know I'll have to measure a stone and buy one exactly the right size.

I thought this was a good plan to make a nice secure seat and also because I like a thicker bezel (the outer tube is 0.5mm thick), but now I'm worried:

Firstly the tubing doesn't telescope - it refuses to fit maybe a light sand will encourage it tho.

Secondly now I'm worried the full width tube will be impossible to push and I should instead have planned to cut a seat in just one bit of tube with an upside down cone burr...

What do folks think? Is my original telescope idea likely to work?

Many thanks as always
Faith

[Dennis]

You're on the right track Faith, but tube sizes are not quite as described, so you will get into trouble fitting them.
Next you are now dealing with sterling silver, a much harder animal than the fine silver you have been using. So pushing home even 0.3mm of rim can be tough.

I suggest you start the seats with a round burr, using tubing no more than 0.6mm wider than the stone, and make the seat more perfect for cabs using these dedicated flat ended burrs to finish: https://www.hswalsh.com/product/frai...se-select-size.

Of course being me I do it by hand. Dennis.

[Faith]

Thanks Dennis, why oh why didn't I ask before, the one size of tube I needed I didn't order then

And I'd totally forgotten about the sterling part!

Well I'll have a nice stock of tiny lengths of tube at least

Ta again,
Faith

[enigma]

Yes I bought some of those for seating round cabs, I tried originally using a round burr but of course they don't sit properly if you do that.
Have you got a vernier? you really need one of you are going to do inset or tube set stones as the sizes given for both tubing and burrs and also stones are never exact so you need to individually measure everything first.
Im not sure tube is annealed when you buy it so you may also need to carefully anneal before trying to set stones ( I haven't actually done any tube settings myself so Im guessing here!)
And lastly if you are going to push over 0.5mm sterling then you may find you need a hammer handpiece but see how you get on

Of course being me I don't do it by hand LOL

[Faith]

Thanks Sarah

Yes I figured I'd need a flat ledge for cabs less they wriggle around so it's good to know you recommend those burrs too. I read an old thread where "upside down cone" burs were recommended also, but it was a while ago.

I do have a vernier, it's funny I managed for ages without it and now I'm measuring everything in sight, very handy!

I think possibly I'll give up on the telescope idea and burr my cab setting from a single tube also thus creating a thinner wall to cope with - loathe tho I am to pass up any reasons why I might need extra Foredom toys :p

I have entertained myself a lot the last few days "Foredom window shopping" the only problem being I've almost convinced myself I want the micromotor instead, which in itself isnt unaffordable, just that pesky hammer handpiece becomes really quite a serious upgrade.

Perhaps I'll take myself to Sutton before Xmas and have a play

Thanks again
Faith

[enigma]

Thats definitely a good idea- I would love to have a play with all the toys before buying!

[Susie]

Got it!


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[Faith]

Thanks Dennis, the round plier choice makes sense now, I had been thinking to use them as in B, like a lever action square faced pusher. Get it now

Faith

[Susie]

Hoorah! After order the chenier, ball burr and seat burr, I have just finished my first attempt after reading all the info on this thread. Success!!! Bloody success!!!!! I'm so chuffed. Thanks for all the info.


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[Faith]

Well done Susie can we see!?

In the end I decided I wasn't happy with ring number one, and having shattered ring number two in half made ring # three today. Tomorrow is my setting fun.

Congrats again on the success, I love it when stuff works

Faith