mgrets
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2011
Posts: 321
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Post by mgrets on Mar 18, 2020 11:01:59 GMT -5
Beautiful save! The tourmaline really finishes it off nicely.
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mgrets
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2011
Posts: 321
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Post by mgrets on Feb 27, 2020 9:44:19 GMT -5
Beautiful cab and a great job of silversmithing!
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mgrets
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2011
Posts: 321
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Post by mgrets on Jan 12, 2020 18:52:00 GMT -5
Welcome from SW Florida!
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mgrets
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2011
Posts: 321
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New
Jan 12, 2020 18:49:34 GMT -5
Post by mgrets on Jan 12, 2020 18:49:34 GMT -5
Welcome from SW Florida!
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mgrets
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2011
Posts: 321
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Post by mgrets on Dec 29, 2019 9:49:18 GMT -5
Your explanation and diagram are great. They make the job seem straightforward...until I look at the actual size of the settings! Holy mackeral! Great job!
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mgrets
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2011
Posts: 321
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Post by mgrets on Dec 23, 2019 21:26:41 GMT -5
Very nice smithing and inventive designs! Good work!
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mgrets
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2011
Posts: 321
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Post by mgrets on Nov 23, 2019 23:03:43 GMT -5
Welcome from NW Ohio/SW Florida! I am not a tumbler, but I believe Petoskey stone tends to disintegrate in tumblers and is better off hand polished. Someone with more experience will chime in soon, I'm sure.
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mgrets
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2011
Posts: 321
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Post by mgrets on Nov 10, 2019 13:39:25 GMT -5
Flint Ridge Variscite Crazy lace Thanks for looking!
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mgrets
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2011
Posts: 321
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Post by mgrets on Oct 25, 2019 20:54:28 GMT -5
I will confirm that the cab is Flint Ridge flint. Nice wrap, too!
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mgrets
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2011
Posts: 321
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Post by mgrets on Oct 23, 2019 13:38:51 GMT -5
Welcome from SW Florida/NW Ohio!
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mgrets
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2011
Posts: 321
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Post by mgrets on Oct 23, 2019 13:37:50 GMT -5
Welcome from NW Ohio/SW Florida!
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mgrets
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2011
Posts: 321
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Post by mgrets on Oct 19, 2019 21:56:11 GMT -5
I don't like pushers and I don't use them. The advantages of a hammer handpiece are speed and control, but it would definitely introduce marks on your bezels. Those marks would need to be removed. I use a hammer handpiece when setting faceted stones and very small cabs in bezels. It's fast. But I always need to clean up the bezels with silicone wheels: pumice and polishing wheels, but that also goes fast — usually less than 5 minutes and I'm ready to head to my polishing machine. For cabs larger than, say, 6mm diameter, I use a manual punch with a hammer. Here's a post where I described them: You could make a punch just from brass rod and try hammering to see if you like it.
If you do get a hammer handpiece, one of their added benefits is adding texture to the metal. Here's a post in a thread where I described the technique for a pendant I posted: I hope that you find this helpful. Oh — that's a very beautiful piece that you made!
The marks on the bezels are exactly what I want to avoid, so I guess I'll pass on the hammer handpiece for now. I WILL try the punch with the hammer, though. Good to learn a new method. Thank you for the help!
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mgrets
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2011
Posts: 321
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Post by mgrets on Oct 19, 2019 14:50:38 GMT -5
I think one of the most tedious parts of making a pendant like this is setting the bezel so it stays smooth. My go-to has been a half-moon hand pusher, but recently I came across a thread about Foredom hammer handpieces. Does anyone use these? Are they worth the cost?
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mgrets
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2011
Posts: 321
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Post by mgrets on Oct 11, 2019 13:59:23 GMT -5
Excellent job. I believe this is the first knife I've seen with holes drilled in stone scales for retaining pins. It seems that everyone (including me) just attaches the scales with epoxy. Very nice, precise work!
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mgrets
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2011
Posts: 321
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Post by mgrets on Sept 4, 2019 15:22:07 GMT -5
Thank you all for the birthday wishes! May you each have a great day, too!
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mgrets
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2011
Posts: 321
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Post by mgrets on Aug 29, 2019 18:37:06 GMT -5
Welcome from NW Ohio/SW Florida!
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mgrets
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2011
Posts: 321
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Post by mgrets on Aug 22, 2019 21:27:50 GMT -5
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mgrets
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2011
Posts: 321
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Post by mgrets on Aug 21, 2019 15:51:31 GMT -5
Welcome from NW Ohio/SW Florida!
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mgrets
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2011
Posts: 321
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Post by mgrets on Aug 21, 2019 15:50:07 GMT -5
Hi, Kargato! Welcome from Ohio/Florida!
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mgrets
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2011
Posts: 321
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Borock
Aug 21, 2019 15:47:46 GMT -5
Post by mgrets on Aug 21, 2019 15:47:46 GMT -5
Welcome from NW Ohio/SW Florida!
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