Congratulations on becoming the proud owner of a Jewellery Kit!
Over the years, I’ve tested countless tools—some used only a handful of times, others I avoided due to cost but later realised I couldn’t work without. I’ve also found that not all tools from the same supplier are reliable, leading to wasted time and repeat purchases. To save you the trial and error, I’ve created two curated tool kits tailored to different budgets and jewellery needs, featuring what I consider to be the best, most dependable tools.
Here you will find information about how to safely and correctly use some of the tools that you will find in both the Standard and Deluxe Jewellery Kits.
Please click images to enlarge them and zoom in.
Flat Nose Pliers
For holding and bending wire.
Chain Nose Pliers
For holding and bending wire.
Round Nose Pliers
For making jump rings and bending small curves.
Steel block
Hammer your metal, mallet things flat…
Bench Peg & Clamp
Use clamp to attach to your bench. The ‘V’ to balance your metal whilst sawing. Modify your peg as you see fit with vertical lines marked, notches for holding metal whilst filing…
Half round file & handle
Works in a ‘push’ motion away from your body. Long strokes will achieve a smoother finish. Use the round side for filing in ring bands, bangles and inside curves.
Polishing Cloths (set of 6 grades)
Use them in the following order using the coloured side of the cloth. I have also numbered them 1 – 6 for you on the back.
1 lime green, 2 grey, 3 blue, 4 pink, 5 mint, 6 cream
Gently rub over the area to be polished. When moving to the next one, change direction so that you can see where you have been. To achieve more of a satin finish to your metal, go back to paper 1 (lime green) when completed. If you don’t like it, work through the papers again.
Mallet
Condition your mallet before you start using it to soften the leather. Soak in warm water for 30 mins then pat dry. Place an old tea towel or similar on the pavement or wall and hit the ends until the lacquer coating breaks up. Ensure no bits of concrete or brick got in it as this will mark your metal. It will become softer the more you use it.
Mitre Jig
Remember that your ‘monster’ helps you to do 90 degree filing through his mouth not his trousers! Use his ‘tooth’ to hold flat or rectangular wire, checking the metal aligns against the tooth on both sides.
Saw frame & blades
Use the blade like a sewing-machine needle in a vertical position, by sticking out your little finger you relax your grip. You can use bees wax to lubricate the blade. Ensure blade is the correct way up so the teeth look like a Christmas tree. Ensure good tension in the blade.
Soldering block
This is designed to heat up to help keep your work at temperature. Be careful after soldering as it will be warm. Place on a heat-proof surface such as an old wooden chopping board. Be aware of what is behind where you are working.
Safety Goggles
Please think safety when soldering or using an electric tool such as a Dremel. Also tie hair back and remove any scarves or loose clothing.
Solder Paste (5g)
Keep air-tight when not in use. A little goes a long way. You have ‘hard’ solder paste in your kit which flows at a hotter temperature than ‘easy’ solder. Unscrew the orange cap and attach the application nozzle. When not using for a while it is advised to replace the orange cap to avoid it doing out.
Reverse Action Tweezers
Wooden handles make them safe to hold when moving heated metal.
Safety Pickle
To use, mix 1 tablespoon of Picklean granules with 200ml of warm/hot water. Place your piece into the solution immediately after quenching and leave in the solution for 10 minutes or until white. Works quicker when warm so you could use a slow cooker (do NOT use for food) or a baby bottle warmer. Do not use steel tools in pickle – use the plastic tweezers provided to avoid copper plating your work.
Torch & 1 gas canister
You will have chosen between a jewellers torch or a larger torch. Remember to ventilate your area when working and re-filling or changing gas.
Jewellers Torch
Remove the base stand. Hold the torch upside down and the gas canister upside down. Use the nozzle to press the gas in to the canister. Stop when you see the gas coming out. Replace the base stand. Fill with butane gas only. Replacement bottles can be purchased at newsagents. To use, turn the dial to + and click the ignition button. To turn off, turn the dial to – .
Go System Torch
Attach the plastic base stand to your bottle. Screw on your nozzle ensuring a tight fit. To light, hold a lighter below the nozzle and turn the screw handle to open the gas, then raise the flame until it lights. Ensure the lighter is then kept away from where you are working. To turn off, turn the screw handle the other way. Replacement bottles can be purchased in DIY stores or online and are GoSystem Butane/Propane.
Safety: When new, these bottles can kick out a lot of heat. I tend to run then for 5 minutes at the beginning. They do not like to be held horizontal – they prefer a more upright soldering position. If they splutter and/or create a large flame it is being held too horizontal. Simply stand it back up to get the flame you need.
Ring Mandrel
UK Ring sizes. Your work is the correct size when it sits over the size you desire. Click here to calculate how much silver you need to make rings.
Ring Sizer
UK Ring sizes. When hot, your size should feel snug; when cold it will feel looser but shouldn’t fall off. If the size has a ‘-‘ after it, this means the size and a half. P- is half way between P and Q.
Ring Soldering Tweezers
Put the bezel setting in so that the sheet is facing up. Make sure that you don’t over-tighten and squeeze it.
Ring Clamp
For holding rings to set bezels as well as holding objects whilst filing or marking. Use the wedge to hold your piece in position. The flat end supports a bezel setting.
Bezel Pusher
Use the polished end and hold in the palm of your hand for full control. The end pushes the metal over.
Burnisher
Use like a potato-peeler, back and forth over your silver. Keep smooth using sandpaper if needed.
Third Hand
Position to hold objects whilst soldering. Remember to quench the end after use as it will get hot.
Silver
In your kit you have enough silver to make 2 seaglass settings and two ring bands/ sets of jump rings. Chains aren’t included. Remember to remove the blue protective plastic from both sides of the sheet before soldering – it really stinks if you forget.
D-wire • 2.3 x 1.5 mm • Many other sizes an shapes available
Sterling Silver Sheet • 0.5mm thick. Other thicknesses available
Bezel Wire • Fine Silver • 3mm & 5mm height
Round Wire • 0.8mm diameter
If you wish to purchase more silver, I would suggest Cookson Gold. Get 10% off some products by using my referral code: https://cooksongold.mention-me.com/m/ol/jq6lf-laura-talbot
