Jewelry Area
Contents
General Information
The jewelry lab is located in the Cold Metal shop at MakeICT. Metal shop authorization is highly recommended before using the Jewelry Lab, but not required. In this lab you can work many precious and non-ferrous metals including solder metal, melting glass, lampworking glass for beads, and cast jewelry. We have most of the hand tools and a good selection of equipment to work with, members provide their own materials for projects. Authorization for the cabbing machine, diamond saws, and centrifugal caster must be acquired before use.
Area Leads
Area Leads can be contacted at Jewelry@makeict.org.
- Michael Atherton is the Jewelry Lab lead with 5 years experience with jewelry making, primarily precious metals.
- Dean Day is a Jewelry Lab Sub Lead with many years experience in various metalworking.
- John Mulnix is a Jewelry Lab Sub Lead with 16 years experience in jewelry specializing in prong setting stones.
Jewelry Lab Safety
- You are welcome to use any of the tools or equipment in the Jewelry Lab, with the exception of the Cabbing Machine, Diamond Saws, and Centrifugal Caster without prior authorization.
- If there's something you don't know how to do safely or without damaging the equipment, please ask before using. You can always ask questions on the forum ask for help.
- Do not use any machine that is not in good working order. Stop, unplug and leave a note on the machine and notify Jewelry Lab.
- Never assume a tool is properly adjusted; always check the tool prior to use. If you are unsure or are unfamiliar with the tool, treat the tool as if it is out of adjustment.
- Never modify or hack any equipment.
- If something is wrong or a piece of equipment is malfunctioning, leave a note in an obvious place on the troubled equipment and e-mail jewelry@makeict.org.
Resources
Supplies
- Rio Grande - Selection of metals, gemstones, tools, equipment, consumables/abrasives, and other supplies. Good primary resource for projects. Free Shipping for orders over $200 and under 10lbs so groups of makers can take advantage to pool purchases.
- Fire Mountain Gems - Good selection of beads, cabochons, and unique faceted gems not carried by Rio Grande.
- Amazon - Use as a LAST RESORT. Metals are overpriced and questionable. Gems are junk. Good for cheap abrasives for rotary tools.
Books For Self Instruction
- Jewelry Making for Schools, Tradesmen, and Craftsmen by Murray Bovin - Covers basics of jewelry crafting and techniques. Published back in 1979 it is a bit dated but a good reference guide or to leaf through to get inspiration for designs.
Group Ordering
At least once a month, if there is enough interest to do so, the area lead for Jewelry lab will post an order to metal/stone dealers for membership to try to take advantage of large order discounts for materials and shipping. If you wish to participate in one of these orders you must:
- Submit your request to jewelry@makeict.org before the designated time on the calendar and/or forum post, or in person during the event on the calendar.
- Limitations Apply: Equipment Purchases over $100 ; Gold, Platinum, & Palladium will not be ordered before payment made. Gemstones over $50 a piece will not be ordered before payment made.
- Payment: Payment for requested materials can be made in person on Order Day or upon Pickup, within above limitations. Currently Cash is the only payment methods.
- Receipt of Material: A notice will be made in the forum when the order arrives. Items can be picked up on the next Saturday after the notice ( a Event post will attempted to be made) or on any Maker Monday after delivery.
- Items not paid for after thirty (30) days after delivery notice being made revert to ownership of the person(s) that made/paid for the group order. Repeatedly not paying for group order items will result in no longer being able to place orders.
- Items pre-paid for will be held for 1 year. If no attempt is made to pick up the item in that time it will be considered a kind donation to the Jewelry Lab. Thank You!
Equipment List
| Name | Photo | Material Handling | Manufacturer | Manual | Status | Condition | Safety Equipment | Requires Authorization? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vigor Burnout Furnace Model 1065 | Enamel Work | Vigor | Functional | 4 | Leather/Welding Gloves
Tongs or Pliers |
NO | ||
| Rapidfire Pro - L Kiln | Metal-Clay Firing
1700 F Max Temp |
Tabletop Furnace Company | Online PDF | Unkown | 2 | Leather/Welding Gloves
Tongs |
NO | |
| Firebox8 Kiln | Glass Fusing
Cone , 2000 F |
Skutt | Unknown | 2 | Leather/Welding Gloves
Tongs or Pliers |
NO | ||
| Micro Mill / Drill | Low RPM Drill Press | Central Machine
(Harbor Freight) |
Working | 3 | Safety Glasses | NO | ||
| Belt Grinder | All Metals / Material | Fabricated / Hacked (?) | Working | 2 | Leather Gloves
Safety Glasses |
NO | ||
| 1 Stage Vacuum Pump and Chamber | Degassing Resins | Fabricated / Hacked | Working | 2 | Safety Glasses | NO | ||
| 8" Axial Table Buffer, 3/4HP | Polishing Metals | Unknown | Working | 2 | Safety Glasses
Leather Gloves |
NO | ||
| Cold Roll Mill | Roll-Forming Precious Metals
Square / Half Round Wire Forming |
Unknown | Working | 2 | Safety Glasses | NO | ||
| Little Torch ; Oxy/Propane | Precious Metal Soldering ,Fusing,
and Annealing ; Low Temp |
Smith | Working | 1 | Safety Glasses
Cotton Clothing Pref. |
PEER via CLASS | ||
| Little Torch ; Oxy/Acetylene | Precious Metal Soldering ,Fusing,
and Annealing ; High Temp |
Smith | Working | 1 | Safety Glasses
Cotton Clothing Pref. |
PEER via CLASS | ||
| Magnasonic Jewelry Cleaner | Cleaning of Jewelry with soap/water
or alcohol |
Magnasonic | Working | 1 | -- | NO | ||
| Ring Sizer / Stretcher | Adjustment of rings to higher sizes | Unknown | Working | 3 | -- | NO | ||
| Spin Caster | Spin-Casting of Molds | Unknown | Inop. | 4 | Leather Gloves
Leather Apron Safety Glasses Two Users Minimum |
YES | ||
| X-Rite Silver Recovery | Recovery of Silver | X-Rite | Unknown | -- | -- | NO | ||
| Propane Torch ; 593-2001 | Lampworking Glass Beads | Unknown | Working | 2 | Sodium Flare Safety Glasses | PEER via CLASS | ||
| Mini Disk Sander | Sanding in Lampwork Area | Cowell | Working | 2 | -- | NO | ||
| Flex Shaft #1 | Rotary Handtool Drive ; Key/Flag | Foredom Model CC | Working | 2 | Safety Glasses | PEER via CLASS | ||
| Flex Shaft #2 | Rotary Handtool Drive ; Key/Flag | Foredom Model CC | Functional | 3 | Safety Glasses | PEER via CLASS |
Table Guide
Status Definitions:: Working - Fully Functional, No Apparent Issues ; Functional - Can Perform it's Basic Function but Needs Repaired. ; Inop. - Can Not Function in it's Current State, Must Be Repaired ; Unknown - Operation Not Confirmed / Not Used in Previous 6 Months or Longer
Condition Scale:: 1 - Like New / No Damage ; 2 - Slight Damage, Mostly Superficial ; 3 - Minor Damage, Needs Addressed but Doesn't Effect Use Yet ; 4 - Major Damage or Near End of Life, Functionality Effected and/or Parts Hard to Acquire ; 5 - Critical Damage or End of Life, Can No Longer Function and/or Parts Unavailable
What We Need / To-Do List
We are currently in need of many items normally found in a properly-equipped jewelry design and repair shop.
Donations of tools and materials are appreciated. Contact jewelry@makeict.org before tool donations to make sure it can be accepted and there is a space for it.
We have an assortment of findings, wire, and beads that need better organized. Non-ferrous (Copper, Red Brass, Yellow Brass, German/Nickel Silver) and scrap precious metals (Silver and Gold) donations will go towards zero-cost jewelry making classes.
We are also seeking people with experience in jewelry work to teach small classes (usually limited to six people, because the lab is small) in their area of talent, interest, or expertise. If you can give of your time and talent for a class, please contact Michael Atherton at jewelry@makeict.org or fill out the form to teach a class here.
With your help, we can have an awesome resource for jewelry making here at MakeICT!
Page Revised by Michael Atherton 12/19/2021
