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Thread: Stone Setting Assistant

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
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    66

    Default Stone Setting Assistant

    Hello

    I have recently been asking about a depth gauge for setting stones...I have found this one : https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/st...rs?code=C45698

    Has anyone used it ?

    I have successfully made two 4 stone rings using the "By hand" method, but in truth, I think they look slightly uneven.

    One went back in the melt and the other one went to a family member, who was just happy to haver a free ring !

    Are these drill assistants any good ?

    Thank you

    Skie

  2. #2
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    Dec 2009
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    Default

    This might make me sound grumpy, which I try not to be. But you have started three separate threads on this subject, but not apparently taken in the answers.

    http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9069.

    I did not personallky talk about these depth stops, but I know and it was confirmed by others, that with a little patience you wiill learn the trick without them.

    They are a complete waste of time and money and would involve learning a new layer of skills just to use them, which would be better spent learning without. Dennis.

  3. #3
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    Sep 2014
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    I agree with Dennis, the simple fact is that to get stone setting right takes a LOT of practise.
    Back in the day it was a full career on its own involving a 5 year apprenticeship before you were ready to be selling your wares.
    Even now stone setting is a specialised job because, very simply, it takes time and practise to get good results.
    Keep practising as much as possible and in a few years you may be happy with the results

  4. #4
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    Sep 2014
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    One thing I would say if you want to invest in a tool that will improve results is spend the money on a good microscope and ball vice because unless you can hold the work steady under a microscope you will never produce results that look good under any cameras magnification.
    I have one of these and along with the microscope I have it is one of my most important purchases that I wouldn't be without, there are various other makes too.
    https://www.bettsmetalsales.com/p-Gr...ode=TOOLSGRSBV

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
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    66

    Default

    I did read the previous replies. I would have thought it was obvious that I am at best finding the levelling proccess difficult to get on top of.

    The reason I posted this depth gauge set question was because I have tried to set the stones by hand but due to my self criticism, I would like to start getting the stones as level as possible...I was hoping maybe someone who had tried this gauge set might be able to reply and give a view of their effectiveness.

    I get that practise makes perfect, but in my personal circumstances, time may not be on my side.

    Perhaps, instead of keep trying to answer every post I put on the forum with the same advice, your help is very helpful please don't misunderstand, but perhaps another person on the forum could give their perspective, especially if they were once in my position.

    On a personal note, whenever I see any question on this or other forum where a senior or longterm member gives an answer, I pull back even if I feel I could add something, this is simply because I respect their views have been appriciated in the past and their experiance will be more than mine on certain subjects.

    If however, I can see the asker is struggling, as I have on this subject, I will add a view from my leftfield position, because sometimes, different opinions might just make something click

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
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    Romsey
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Skieferins View Post
    The reason I posted this depth gauge set question was because I have tried to set the stones by hand but due to my self criticism, I would like to start getting the stones as level as possible...I was hoping maybe someone who had tried this gauge set might be able to reply and give a view of their effectiveness.
    I did. They won't help on level, they're pretty much useless for depth for the reasons I outlined with the Allset.
    You need to be able to see what you're doing clearly - trial fits & inspection are the way forwards. I wouldn't hamper yourself with wonky stones either - go for something with a consistent cut (decent CZ brilliants are ideal for practice, for example).

    Like Dennis, I was somewhat puzzled by the repetition of the question about depth gauges and similarly assumed the answers hadn't been read.

    There are no shortcuts, although good training helps. Good training isn't cheap - and vice versa.

  7. #7
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    Central London
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    Dear Skieferins,

    I am risking your displeasure by answering once again, but it seems that our answers need further explanation.

    Both Peter and Josef have said that they tried those depth stops, but did not go on with them. The reason as I see it is that depth stops are fine on large scale work such as carpentry, where a millimetre or so, will not make a difference. But on small scale work, the difficulty of setting them up and getting consistent results is probably greater than doing without.

    As everyone has said, the way forward is to drill in increments until the table is more or less flush with the metal rim. The best way to view this is from the side, so that you are not dazzled by reflections.

    Despite achieving the perfect seat, stones will happily settle in a wonky position and can be set that way by the unwary.
    My remedy is to pick them up with a cone of Blu-Tack and place them gently until they are level. This might take several attempts.

    Then they are held in place with a tool or fingernail until they have been fixed from all four compass points. Even so, I might occasionally push one out from below and try again. This is one advantage of drilling right through. Regards, Dennis.

  8. #8
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    Feb 2011
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    Scotland
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    I'm coming at this from this having read the 3 posts as they came in. The reason why you may not be getting the broader perspective you are looking for is probably because if Dennis has offered advice there is usually not a lot of further advice to be given so why repeat it. There are occasions when others work slightly differently from Dennis or have a different opinion and then we'll give our input.
    I've been at this for decades and stone setting isn't my forte but I've learnt a few useful tips today. Every day is a learning day and there are no shortcuts. There will be tools to help you do things more quickly and efficiently in the future (in general terms not particularly with setting stones) but only once you've learnt the skill first

  9. #9
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    Sep 2014
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    Can I just say, its normal to thank people for advice even if its not what you want to hear.
    You have had advice and input from several members on each thread and instead of a thank you, you just start a new thread about the same subject.
    Ok so you want to hear that you can buy a magic tool that will allow you to set stones perfectly without putting in hours of practise.
    The simple answer is there isn't one but do feel free to go ahead and buy every gimmick going instead of listening to the advice from those who have been doing it for a while
    Go on a stone setting course, spend hours practising with copper or scrap silver and CZs, get yourself a microscope and vice so you can see what you are doing....

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
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    66

    Default

    This is getting tit for tat.

    Just to clarify one thing, I copy and pasted this from my above reply :

    "Perhaps, instead of keep trying to answer every post I put on the forum with the same advice, your help is very helpful please don't misunderstand, but perhaps another person on the forum could give their perspective, especially if they were once in my position."

    In there, I intended and to be frank, I clearly said " your help is very helpful please don't misunderstand "...On other postings I have said a clear thank you, go ahead and read my replies...I am a very respectful and polite person, however, I am also someone who ins't afraid to ask and ask to get clarification.

    I am NOT asking for a magic tool, please don't insult me. Sarcasm is a speciallity of mine but please lets just stop the nonsense, I can really be blunt and sarcastic to those who I feel are pushing me, please lets not do that, I have no doubt at all that if I do have to use my sarcasm, I will be excluded. This WILL be my loss so instead of risking my loss of your views and hopefully my imput in the future , can we keep things on the level ?

    Although as yet, I have limited experience, who knows, maybe in the future someone on these forums might ask questions that perhaps someone as green as I am currently, will be better suited to explain due to their learning curve being of the same ilk.

    I get as I said previously, that gypsy setting/stone setting takes practise, I also explained time isn't something I definately have, but this is not the driving factor here. What is, is my self satisfaction and my self criticism that drives me to want to get things right....Not perhaps in the first 100 times, but when I am asked by a family memeber to make them something, I want to get it right. The same would/does go for a paying customer.

    Dennis, your imput as I have referred to ,has been welcomed not only on this posting, so by you replying to this, you are not giving me displeasure, but after I ask the same question, perhaps, as I have said before, it might be easier to accept that perhaps I don't get the angle you are coming from. I am not and would not disrepect anyone who has done this trade for longer than I have, but by giving others a chance to say their opinion as well as yours, this might just work for me and others.

    Over the three postings that I have made about stone setting, I have explained that I am trying to create a flush gypsy setting, this is not to be confused with a graved up bead setting.

    I have just looked over the last 3 topics that I have started on this subject, if anyone can find anywhere that I have not given thanks - be that during ,after or prior to any replies, then perhaps a re-read is needed.

    The last thing I want, is to bee seen as an aggitator but I aslo don't want to be seen as some ignoramus who doesn't listen. I am simply inexperienced and asking for help from those who have done before me.

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