Tools

[TATS]

I have decided I want to try my hand at a ring in copper. They make it look sooooooo easy on YouTube lol What tools will I need? If you have the time, could you please link it to the Cookson's website. You can say I need a ball hammer and I will pick the claw hammer !! Thats why it is better to link to what I need.

Am I being ambitious or can it be done?

I bought a brulee torch today simply because they look fun

[ps_bond]

If you can flesh out what sort of ring it'd be easier to make suggestions on tools.

I'd grab a bench peg, saw, sawblades, a half-round file a ring mandrel, a nylon or rawhide mallet, torch, solder, flux (borax cone and dish for preference), soldering board, crosslock tweezers, pickle and a suitable container for it - and some metal - for most options. There are - of course - many, many additional tools could be added to that list.

The starter soldering kit - http://www.cooksongold.com/Jewellery...rcode-999-096Q - is one possible solution, but I'd still go for borax rather than Auflux.
http://www.cooksongold.com/Jewellery...rcode-997-1001 is another possibility, but even then I'd recommend buying individual tools over a kit.
YMMV.

[TeeDee]

Hi Tats,
All excellent advice above.
The brulee torch is a good starter for small items and I still use mine a lot but if you go on to make larger pieces such as bangles you will find you need a larger torch with greater heat output.
If you start to take up the hobby seriously you'll often find yourself short of a tool as you learn new techniques. Don't be afraid to improvise.
It's great to have the specialist tools but you'll be surprised at what you can do with other odds and sods
Cut the rounded end off someone's nice broom handle and you have a makeshift dapping punch. Cut another 75mm off and you have something to wrap chain around and secure with elastic bands to put in a tumble polisher to stop it tangling.
I have a nice brass doming block but I'd be lost without the old furniture castor cup (see photo) that I rescued form my Mum and Dad's old house.

If you go to junk and bric a brac shops keep your eyes open for old tools especially hammers that you can grind or cut textures into later.
Keep an eye out for old bits of wood and metal that you can bend things round. Sarah mentioned Soham Harrison on You Tube. He uses quite a few odd bits you wont find at Cookies/Cousins/Walsh etc.

I really hope you enjoy yourself with your new interest. It can be challenging and frustrating at times but really rewarding as well
Tim

[Dennis]

My contribution is to recommend an inexpensive book: Two In One Manuals Jewellery, by Madeline Coles. It has a section on tools, projects for beginners including the ring, and detailed advice on techniques.

https://www.abebooks.co.uk/978184092...1840921978/plp

[Faith]

Hello,

Just to say I'd really recommend Dennis's suggestion. He recommended the book to me a couple of years ago when I first learned to solder and it's awesome to get you started.

Faith

[TATS]

Found a used copy on the supplied link for a £1 so hopefully I will receive it lol

Thanks again for the effort

I have a spare room to convert into a studio, so should keep me busy for a while. It will also be a room with a purpose instead of a dumping ground, so net question will be "Now I have my tools, where do I put them?"

Andy

[Dennis]

The ideal is a jewellers work bench, but sets of drawers on wheels, are a good option, or an inexpensive desk with drawers. A visit to IKEA is a good start

[TATS]

Thanks for the pointers Dennis.

My book arrived today and I am very happy with it, so again thank you for the link. Best £1 spent

[Dennis]

Thank you for the feed back. Dennis.