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Post by rockjunquie on Jan 21, 2020 14:32:53 GMT -5
My grandson will be leaving for the Navy in March. I will have room to start soldering again in an empty house. Hallelujah!!! DH can move some of his stuff out of my work space. 
Looking at tools again. What tools have you bought but never really used or turned out just to be a waste of money?
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Post by melhill1659 on Jan 21, 2020 15:34:37 GMT -5
I’ve thought about your question. I have a large studio with a lot of equipment. Even though I don’t use everything everyday, everything serves its purpose to make my job easier but I bought an economy metal sheer an found it to be useless for what I needed. I didn’t need “2” double Lot O’s. I haven’t used one of them ever and my other vibes and tumblers haven’t been used in few years. I have a few specialty pliers I can’t for the life of me remember why I bought 😂
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Post by rockjunquie on Jan 21, 2020 16:19:42 GMT -5
I’ve thought about your question. I have a large studio with a lot of equipment. Even though I don’t use everything everyday, everything serves its purpose to make my job easier but I bought an economy metal sheer an found it to be useless for what I needed. I didn’t need “2” double Lot O’s. I haven’t used one of them ever and my other vibes and tumblers haven’t been used in few years. I have a few specialty pliers I can’t for the life of me remember why I bought 😂 Thank you!
I have a rolling mill that was given to me at least 5 years ago and I have never taken it out of the box. I want to, but I want it to keep it factory wrapped in oil paper. I hope it's still good whenever I finally have a place and use for it.
I always wondered about a sheer. Some people swear by them. Would you be happier with the tool if it were just a better one?
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Jan 21, 2020 16:43:03 GMT -5
I’ve thought about your question. I have a large studio with a lot of equipment. Even though I don’t use everything everyday, everything serves its purpose to make my job easier but I bought an economy metal sheer an found it to be useless for what I needed. I didn’t need “2” double Lot O’s. I haven’t used one of them ever and my other vibes and tumblers haven’t been used in few years. I have a few specialty pliers I can’t for the life of me remember why I bought 😂 Thank you! I have a rolling mill that was given to me at least 5 years ago and I have never taken it out of the box. I want to, but I want it to keep it factory wrapped in oil paper. I hope it's still good whenever I finally have a place and use for it. I always wondered about a sheer. Some people swear by them. Would you be happier with the tool if it were just a better one?
That's a really tough question. I love tools in general. That goes for wooodworking, Automotive and lapidary. Can't ever have enough and always have a wish list going for more. On the lapidary end I do not regret buying any of my silversmithing tools but that is the one set of tools that I may never recover the money spent on. I have probably had that whole setup for about 4 years and only sold about 6 pendants. That being said I still would not sell those tools right now even at full value. All of my lapidary tools and supplies have been paid for by selling finished goods. When I need a tool to fix something on the house or something on the car then buying the necessary tools is covered by saving money doing the repair myself. That at least eliminates the chance of monetary regret. Chuck |
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Post by rockjunquie on Jan 21, 2020 16:50:11 GMT -5
Thank you! I have a rolling mill that was given to me at least 5 years ago and I have never taken it out of the box. I want to, but I want it to keep it factory wrapped in oil paper. I hope it's still good whenever I finally have a place and use for it. I always wondered about a sheer. Some people swear by them. Would you be happier with the tool if it were just a better one?
That's a really tough question. I love tools in general. That goes for wooodworking, Automotive and lapidary. Can't ever have enough and always have a wish list going for more. On the lapidary end I do not regret buying any of my silversmithing tools but that is the one set of tools that I may never recover the money spent on. I have probably had that whole setup for about 4 years and only sold about 6 pendants. That being said I still would not sell those tools right now even at full value. All of my lapidary tools and supplies have been paid for by selling finished goods. When I need a tool to fix something on the house or something on the car then buying the necessary tools is covered by saving money doing the repair myself. That at least eliminates the chance of monetary regret. Chuck
I love tools, too. I'm not sure I have ever regretted any purchases, but I could have held off on a few... No wait- I do regret buying big hole punch pliers, because it ended up not really suiting my needs and I got a disc cutter like this. |
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Jan 21, 2020 17:32:14 GMT -5
I can't think of any. 
I love tools and I usually buy something that I need to do a project. The one exception is that bezel tool that Billy used for his serrated bezels. I bought that because I know I would never be able to accomplish it freehand. I haven't used it yet, but I will and it will save me tons of time.
I am totally jealous of your rolling mill. I want one so bad, but can't justify spending the cash for a new one. I'm always on the lookout for a used Durston in good condition, but they're kind of hard to find. Kind of like an anvil (I want one of those, too.)
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Post by rockjunquie on Jan 21, 2020 17:48:50 GMT -5
I can't think of any. I love tools and I usually buy something that I need to do a project. The one exception is that bezel tool that Billy used for his serrated bezels. I bought that because I know I would never be able to accomplish it freehand. I haven't used it yet, but I will and it will save me tons of time. I am totally jealous of your rolling mill. I want one so bad, but can't justify spending the cash for a new one. I'm always on the lookout for a used Durston in good condition, but they're kind of hard to find. Kind of like an anvil (I want one of those, too.)
Yeah, a good anvil can get pricey. Tried a cheaper one and got rid of it as junk (Harbor Freight). So, there's another one I regretted. Doh! BUY ONCE! I have to remember that.
I wonder if jamesp can fabricate a decent train rail one for you. I seem to remember a thread abt it. |
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Post by toiv0 on Jan 21, 2020 17:53:59 GMT -5
Hard to live without a good shear in my opinion. A good rolling mill is a must also. I buy most of my stuff used.
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Post by knave on Jan 21, 2020 18:31:35 GMT -5
Piece of train track sounds like a great anvil.
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Post by lpl on Jan 21, 2020 19:31:37 GMT -5
That is indeed a great question Tela. I don’t really regret any of the tools I have purchased for the silver work that I do. That being said, I’ve done everything on a shoestring and only have purchased tools as I need them. I always, always overthink any purchase I make; cars, television, a pair of pliers. But I do my research first and it has seldom let me down and I have few regrets. I suspect if you decide exactly what you want to make, it will make your decision as to what tools to buy a lot easier. Best tool I purchased was a flex shaft with a good foot control....don’t know how I did without one! And I’m slightly jealous of your rolling mill 😜
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Post by aDave on Jan 21, 2020 19:54:43 GMT -5
I can't think of any. I love tools and I usually buy something that I need to do a project. The one exception is that bezel tool that Billy used for his serrated bezels. I bought that because I know I would never be able to accomplish it freehand. I haven't used it yet, but I will and it will save me tons of time. I am totally jealous of your rolling mill. I want one so bad, but can't justify spending the cash for a new one. I'm always on the lookout for a used Durston in good condition, but they're kind of hard to find. Kind of like an anvil (I want one of those, too.)
Yeah, a good anvil can get pricey. Tried a cheaper one and got rid of it as junk (Harbor Freight). So, there's another one I regretted. Doh! BUY ONCE! I have to remember that.
I wonder if jamesp can fabricate a decent train rail one for you. I seem to remember a thread abt it. |
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Jan 21, 2020 21:44:24 GMT -5
Good anvils are hard to come by. They get passed down in families and family members are loath to part with them. Vince's sister's husband has one from his grandfather in their garage. I drool every time I think about it.
There is unused railroad track around here from a defunct railroad, but I think absconding with a piece is probably illegal.
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Post by knave on Jan 21, 2020 22:00:46 GMT -5
absconding with a piece is probably illegal.
There’s a certain injustice in the vision of a D9 cat curling up the track for scrap also. That’s where it’s headed if anywhere. |
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Jan 21, 2020 22:07:21 GMT -5
absconding with a piece is probably illegal.
There’s a certain injustice in the vision of a D9 cat curling up the track for scrap also. That’s where it’s headed if anywhere. Those tracks have been there for years and years. Vince probably knows how long. He comes home from work on occasion with spikes from those tracks. They are close to where he works. They were putting in a proper paved road last summer and dug some up that he scarfed. He collects anything railroad. He grandfather worked for the Norfolk and Western in Virginia. |
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Post by knave on Jan 21, 2020 22:13:08 GMT -5
Exactly. Rescuing a section of historic railroad to pass on to your descendants in the form of an anvil would be a perfectly reasonable thing for a railroad enthusiast to do.
Many railroads are on dnr or public land and the minerals are considered fair game. An “I” shaped solid iron chunk with iron oxide would be begging for a ride in my wagon.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Jan 21, 2020 22:16:33 GMT -5
Vince just informed me there are no tracks there anymore. Just the railroad bed.  My dreams of illicitly gotten anvil material have been dashed. |
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Post by opalpyrexia on Jan 21, 2020 22:17:37 GMT -5
Do take your rolling mill out of the box, mount it, and play with it. They are very useful. You can keep it from rusting when finished with it by doing a very light oil wipe and placing very lightly oiled cloth or paper towel on top of the top roller and perhaps the bottom one too. And then put a plastic bag over it to keep it dust free. Oil will flow sloooowwwly down the rollers and keep them from rusting.
The only tools that I purchased that I regret are two bezel-forming blocks — one round, one oval. I've used the round one only 2-3 times, and never the oval one. They're really meant for making pronged heads/settings and I like bezels. I also have a tapered bracelet mandrel that I've never used. I don't make bracelets (although I probably ought to).
What kind of anvil do you need? Do you envision beating steel into shape or will you primarily work with silver, copper, brass, or gold? If the latter, all you need is a good bench block and maybe a very small jewelry anvil. I have a 4.5" diameter hardened steel disk anvil, but it's for home projects where I'm beating steel into submission (unless I need to make a small steel tool for jewelry).
I have two favorite tools that I cannot do without and which are worth mentioning. One is a shear that I use to cut my own bezel strips from sheet. The other is my ring stretcher. I bought a used, splined ring stretcher on ebay for about $100. When making rings, whether soldering or casting bands, I don't have to be precise in length or size, just close but a little under-sized. I then put the bands on the stretcher and ease them up to a perfect fit. I also have one of those cheap ratcheting ring stretchers that I use very occasionally.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Jan 21, 2020 22:28:03 GMT -5
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Post by opalpyrexia on Jan 21, 2020 22:39:47 GMT -5
I bought the 4" Pepe guillotine shear when they had just introduced it at Tucson. Its one weakness is the width of cut adjustment. It isn't very accurate so sometimes I have to make a slight adjustment and cut a second strip. I know that they improved the shear and may have a better one now, but it works for me.
Cutting extra strips doesn't bother me much because I know that I'll eventually use them. If I were to buy one today i would look for a 6" shear if I could find one that wouldn't hurt my wallet too much.
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Post by rockpickerforever on Jan 21, 2020 22:56:33 GMT -5
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My dreams of illicitly gotten anvil material have been dashed.
