Good place to buy used tools

Jewelry Discussion
21

I truly appreciate all the responses I received! I live in St.
Augustine, FL, and unfortunately it seems like there are not that
many jewelry artists in this area(or at least not that are looking to
sell tools or supplies) I will definitely check and see if there are
any jewelry and lapidary groups nearby. I was able to get a bunch of
copper wire from a friend and have been trying to learn how to solder
but all the copper is 10 guage and to big for a lot of stuff I would
like to do. I am hoping to be able to get some draw plates and an
ingot mold so that I can do more with it. I hope to work in precious
metals, but that will definitely be far in the future! I have been
watching silver prices, I hope they will come down because I REALLY
want to try working with silver. It has been such a joy to do the few
things I am able to do right now, I know for sure this is the right
thing for me to do! This group’s digest is always my favorite email,
you guys are such an inspiration, and so generous with your wisdom,
Thanks so much!!

Sincerely, Dani

22

By all means, please tell me how to do a casting set-up for $150.
Thank you.

Sally Parker

23

I have bought and sold used tools, still have some for sale that I
need to list. The point being. I trust the people on this forum
because they are here for the sole reason of teaching and sharing. I
would, and will, buy used tools from this site long before I would
from ebay.

Lynn

24

The files may have been used for cutting the bridge slots on
stringed musical instruments.

25

Hi Patty, I live in Seattle and am looking for a new jeweler’s
bench. Did your dad have one?

Thanks, Andy

26 
I advise against used tools for beginners because it is hard
enough to learn with good tools. If student has to compensate for
tool deficiencies, it prolongs learning phase and set's in bad
habits.

You seem to be operating from the assumption that all used tools are
by nature damaged or of poor quality. Students–or anybody-- can
probably afford a higher quality used tool more than they can a high
quality new tool. Buying a tool because it is new is not a great idea
when the affordable new tool is poorly made.

When somebody has laid out the dollars for a high quality tool they
often take good care of it and when that tool finds its way onto the
market it can indeed be a good choice. Also carefully cared for used
tools --especially hand tools-can have a wonderful history. You may
not know what that history is but you know that it is there.

I eagerly await your rebuttal and refutation.
Andy

27

Sally. Although I now have all the necessary items for
casting–programmable burnout kiln, vacuum investment/caster, and
Centrifuge when I first started, I had just a few items and did some
nice casting. I did steam casting, which only required a hot plate,
with an inverted flower pot for the burnout, A jar lid attached to a
doweling, for the steam caster and for flasks I used some pieces of
steel pipes which a friend cut down for me. Some steam casters used
tin cans (not aluminum ones though). Directions for steam casting can
be downloaded from the Internet. So, for the cost of the hot plate,
and the flower pot (under $30), one had a great casting set-up.

Last summer when I spent some time with a friend at the coast, we
decided to do some casting, and used the old steam casting method.
It was cheap and fun. Best of all, our castings came out perfectly.

Alma

28 
Either you're wrong in this, or selling DVDs to just anyone shows
more flexibility than your previous statement.

I take it you have never seen any of my DVDs, or you would not asked
this question. My DVDs cannot be approached with attitude “let me see
If I like it”. They require commitment. DVDs on average 2 and half
hours long, and every minute of watching should be followed by a day
of practice. That is 5 months of work and it is only on initial
viewing. And then one has to go back and work through rough points. So
you are way off course here.

Any undertaking in life requires a commitment. Some have smooth
starts, and some have rough ones. It takes time to overcome
difficulties and develop proper habits. Quitting should be made as
difficult as possible. Spending a lot of money on day 1 is a great
motivator. That is how I was trained, and that is how I trained
others.

Leonid Surpin

29 
 I advise against used tools for beginners because it is hard enough
 to learn with good tools. If student has to compensate for tool
 deficiencies, it prolongs learning phase and set's in bad habits.

A bad worker blames the tools ;-p CIA

30

The year is 1974, winter fading into spring, Wichita, Kansas. I am
working as a set/light designer, union stagehand. My first foray
into jewelry making.

What it took to get started:

1- Used washing machine motor.
1- Tapered mandrel (New)
1- Hard buff
1- Soft buff
1- Tube Zam
1- Ring mandrel (New)
1- Set needle files (New)
1- Propane torch (New)
1- Rawhide hammer (New)
1- Old fire brick (Found)

1- Bench (Small theatrical scenery platform, 2"x4"s/3/4" Plywood,
4"x4" = legs, used)

1- “How To Make Indian Jewelry” book New) .

and so it began.

I’ll have the picture posted on the Reactive Metals Studio Facebook
page. So, whats it take? Desire, an open mind, a creative need. Joy…
Bill

Reactive Metals Studio, Inc

31

Hi Marianne,

The files you are looking for are called: equalling special
thickness. Grobet still carries them, but you can not order them
from grobet direct. You have to order them through one of their
resellers. I order them through MSC. You have to call them and
special order with the item number from grobet. Here is the link to
the page with the order numbers and specs for the files:

http://www.ganoksin.com/gnkurl/1sl

Hope this helps
Joost

32 
A bad worker blames the tools

Great sound bite, not true. When I first started as self taught, I
had a Foredom model cc. for most purposes it was fine. When I tried
to use it to set stones, the bur would jump out of the setting and
either mar or cut off a prong.

Took me a long time to find out that for setting, a full torque at
all speeds was what was needed. I have advised people on this forum
when they had problems, when all the others posting did not mention
that the Foredom model was the problem. I received confirmation from
offline posts.

Richard Hart G.G.
Denver, Co.

33 
Buying a tool because it is new is not a great idea when the
affordable new tool is poorly made.

I agree with this point. But to continue your logic imagine how worse
it becomes when someone bought new badly made tool and unloaded it to
a beginner as used one.

Leonid Surpin

34 
Any undertaking in life requires a commitment. Some have smooth
starts, and some have rough ones. It takes time to overcome
difficulties and develop proper habits. Quitting should be made as
difficult as possible. Spending a lot of money on day 1 is a great
motivator. That is how I was trained, and that is how I trained
others.

I’ve seen the trailers, and they look pretty good, but I will
probably not buy any, 1) I’m currently studying, and I don’t need
instructions to contradict my instructors, and 2) I’m already past
that stage of the course, I just need to practice more. It’s my final
year, it’s a tough year, make or break.

The nature of a DVD bought over the internet (or any uncontrolled
internet purchase for that matter) does not require much of a
commitment. Anyone can purchase a DVD over the internet. The
consumer simply has to be content with the price. $44 is a good price
for 2.5 hours of instruction.

If someone buys your DVD, doesn’t mean they’ll watch it, if they
become bored or aren’t committed enough to sit through 2.5 hours,
they’ll simply push stop, and shelve the DVD, it wont take up too
much space. They’ve spent the money for something that has little
value to them. This is the nature of internet sales… anyone can buy
your product, committed or not.

Do you ask the purchaser if they have the “right” commitment to view
your DVDs? I think you’d sell your DVD to anyone, and there’s
nothing wrong with that, you’re a business man.

In fact you have no control over who buys your DVDs, the process is
automated.

I’m right on point. When it comes to a person wanting to start with
little and work up to better, you say that they “must” be committed
to paying for “new” tools. However you will still sell your DVDs to
anyone, you don’t filter who buys your DVDs.

Let me tell you about my philosophy regarding tools.

  1. If I can make better than a commercial model, I’ll make it.

  2. If I can’t make better than a commercial model, and I can afford
    it, I’ll buy it.

  3. If I can’t make better than a commercial model, and I can’t
    afford it, I’ll look for second hand (and yes I know what to look
    for, as would anyone who does a little research), or do without until
    I can afford it.

  4. If all else fails, I look at history, and find a solution there.

Regards Charles A.

35 
A bad worker blames the tools

I have heard this many times in the past. It is not true. Tools do
not always do what they are told…nor does the material we work.

As to used tools. If you are looking for hammers and stakes and such
then I suggest a larger blacksmith gathering. The best appears to be
an annual fall meeting of the Southern Ohio Forge and Anvil group. It
also helps to let everyone you know that you are looking…sort of
an “Oh, by the way…I am looking for…”

Ric Furrer
Sturgeon Bay, WI

36

First of all, I do NOT consider myself a ‘jeweler’ YET. Eventually
I’ll get to the point where my work will speak to the designation.

I have been involved with all kinds of tools for almost 60 years. My
Grandfather was a cooper, then a vintner, and his 5 children went on
to run the business which spanned over 100 years. I spent many hours
in the blacksmith shop at the winery, watching how things were
forged, made, and tools that were used. I watched the women in the
shop making wire champagne cages for the corks, I learned from my
father, who was very artistic and admitted he was bad with tools,
about design, and sought out people in the farm shop to help me
construct large wooden obstacles. I won’t bore you further with my
background, but suffice it to say, between my family, my years of
working, training and competition horses, I have soaked up
everything about the use of tools and what works and what doesn’t.
(I have also designed and made furniture which only qualifies me to
know, again, which tools, and what tools work and which don’t), and
learn from my mistakes which were legion.

I agree with Leonid, that learning on the correct tools, hammers,
and equipment and not trying to find the quickest cheapest way to do
something, is, in the long run, sound advise. I know everyone wants
to learn NOW, and Quickly, and Instantly be able to perform to sell,
motivated by making money. Piercing is important, there is a proven
progression of learning anything. In the long run, it saves time and
money, and can give you the ‘tools’ to make appropriate decisions.

Since I have had great mentors, and am like a sponge when I find
something I want to pursue, I LISTEN to learn. Maybe I’ve been
fortunate in this regard, but I think it’s a matter of Planning,
regardless of what it is you want to do.

I’ve been an antiques dealer since 1971. This allows me also, to be
able to spot, now, many tools, files, equipment, that is sold at
farm sales, junk tool sheds, estate sales. I’ve bought my fair share
of insufficient tools, so it was always a learning experience.

One of my blacksmiths gave me a super anvil. I have a set of Grobet
files, that I’ve amassed over 5 years, total cost, about $3. I have
my grandfathers woodworking tools, and through working with them,
I’ve been able to discern hammers, when I’m at a sale where I spend
about $10 for 15 hammers, pliers, cutters, etc. One of the best
teachers I had, was the head of Cornell University School of
Farriery, Mike Wildenstein. I took 5 horses to him to shoe every 5
weeks for 12 years. I just didn’t stand there gaping, I asked
questions, and learned about forging and manipulating metal, using
grinders, buffers, and watched guest farriers from all over the
world and saw how they used tools. By the way, being a good farrier
is NOT determined by your gender, weight, or strength. It is
determined by how you use the tools, your balance, and practicing.

I started this journey with metals 15 years ago, and finally was
able to gather funds to buy 3 chasing and forming hammers about 7
years ago. Two years ago I was able to purchase Delrin hammers, made
my own forming stakes from in-line punches, and recently got a cuff
mandrel instead of using my anvil, and my antique maple rolling pin.

I built my own bench with woods left over from other furniture
projects-walnut, cherry, maple, pine. I got some of my first tools
and torch sets from Orchid members when they had a sale. I worked
for a jeweler in FL in my off time with the horses, and was sent
home with some great tools and priceless experiences.

Honestly, I don’t think I’ll live long enough to be able to have
everything I want in my studio, but that’s okay. I’ll keep plugging
away making sure that my tools are the best I can afford, and I know
how to use them, even if I only have a dozen, eventually I’ll get
more. People that I am teaching basic methods to, get the same
educational I’ve received from all the professional
jewelers in schools, workshops, studios, books by Brain, McCreight,
etc., and people here on Orchid.

I guess it boils down to being available to learn, to seek, to
practice, to never stop learning, and to keep connecting the steps
in your journey.

Dinah

37

Seems like we can argue over anything :slight_smile:

I have bought used tools and had mixed success. I got burned badly
one time on a used rolling mill, but I bought it sight unseen. My
suggestion is if you understand metal tools… and yes, they can be
different from other tools just like any other specialty, or you
know a friendly experienced metal smith, then by all means jump on a
good deal for used tools. But, how is a beginner going to know how
to inspect a rolling mill for instance and make sure the rollers are
true and don’t have a dip in the middle… or something like that?
Then again… beginners probably don’t buy things like rolling
mills. I virtually stole a great Victor engraving vise one time …
but how can you tear up an engraving vise? I can’t engrave - but it
was a hell of a deal and looks great on my bench :slight_smile: OK, I do use it
sometimes.

Realistically, we have the same issue with beginners and new tools.
How many times do we see someone complaining about a torch, rolling
mill, etc. they have purchased new… and it is apparent they did not
understand the function and limitation of the particular tool or
class of tools before making the purchase. Even something seemingly
as simple as the purchase of a hammer requires one to know exactly
what one plans on doing with that hammer.

I love and use my little Fretz hammers and mini-stakes, but I sure
as heck am not going to try to make a teapot with them. I just HAD
to have a Meco torch… but really air acetylene is better for 95%
of what I do.

Estate sales are a good place to find good used tools sometimes, but
it makes me sad to buy them. A shop reflects the soul of its owner.
Sometimes I look at all the “stuff” I have collected over many years
and wonder what will become of it. It seems so sad that we spend our
entire lives acquiring, using and loving our tools… And then they
end up in a yard sale with people asking “I wonder what the heck
that thing is”.

Oh well… somehow I managed to turn this into a philosophical
comment on life :slight_smile: BTW… I am not that old, so please don’t start
sending me your shipping addresses just yet…

38

I think that it is difficult to put all used tools into the same “do
not buy” category. I bought a selection of hand tools from a
gentleman nearly 35 years ago when I was beginning and they are
still my favorite tools to use. They were all German and originally
purchased in the mid 40’s. They obviously have some wear, but I
wouldn’t trade them for anything new on the market. In fact my
favorite hammer is a 100 year old german riveting hammer. It works
great and a joy to use.

39

When I go all of my tools, etc. will be donated to a jewelry
program/school. Haven’t decided which one yet. This will only change
if at some point I have to sell them because I can’t work anymore or
I have a family member who becomes a budding jeweler! J My adult
children wouldn’t have a clue what to do with them.

40

A bad worker blames the tools

Great sound bite, not true.

Well yes and no. If you have crappy tools, you can still make
excellent jewellery, it just takes you longer.

Personally I don’t think I could cast a very good piece of jewellery
with a block of wood, a glass pipe, and some clay mixed with donkey
dung, but I have seen it done. Although there were no modern tools,
and what he used was very primitive, the jeweller still made
something that was amazing, and very refined. He just took longer.

If you haven’t got much, don’t let a lack of tools stop you, find a
way, be resourceful.

Regards Charles A.