Hammer Handpiece advise

Jewelry Discussion
1

Guys I have a question. What are the pro’s and con’s of hammer
hanpieces for flex-shaft machines. I’m thinking of purchasing one
for stone setting applications. I recently suffered a broken arm
and do not have as much mustard on the old hot dog as I used to.
Thought one might help me with jobs that require pressure (bezel
setting, heavy prongs, ect.). What’s your advise? Thanks, Greg the
one-armed goldsmith.

2

Guys I have a question. What are the pro’s and con’s of hammer
hanpieces for flex-shaft machines. I’m thinking of purchasing one
for stone setting applications.

Greg,

I got one a couple of years ago and don’t know how I ever got
along without it. I use it every day, on bezels as well as prongs.
If you were good and accurate with a hammer and setting tool, you
should have no problems with the hammer handpiece. It is so good I
hammer set opals with it. Get one!!

Wendy Newman
ggraphix@msn.com

3

Greg: I used one of the Foredom hammer pieces in the past, but had
a problem with breaking stones. The Foredom uses a leather pad for
the cushion and tends to become flatened with use. I changed to the
GraverMate a couple of years ago and have been very pleased with
the investment. It uses a cushion of air and is adjustable
depending on air presure. I can set square emeralds in a white gold
eternity ring with little effort and with out damage to the
stones. Bead & Bright cut is very easy with the graver hand
piece. I just wish that I could purchase the graver sharpener at
this time.20

Regards,

Roger W. Kitchens

Business Site: www.jewelrycreations.com
Personal Site: www.jewelrycreations.com/roger

4 
   What are the pro's and con's of hammer hanpieces for
flex-shaft machines.

Greg,

I wouldn’t work without one. Badeco is the prefered brand. Its a
must if you do much channel setting.

Mark P.
Wisconsin, very wet today

5

Greg, I do a fair amount of bezel setting and a couple of years
ago I broke down and got a hammer handpiece. It is one of the best
tool investments I ever made. I use fine silver or 18k bezel wire
, thicker than that usually available from supply houses, which I
either make with the rolling mill or cut from fine silver sheet.
My experience has been all pro and no con. Jerry in Kodiak

6

Hi! I have a question regarding the fine silver sheet being
turned into bezel . … what gauge are you you starting with?

Thanks in advance!

7

Wendy:

I do some standard prong setting with burrs and prong pushers or a
specially modified setting pliers (actually a very small
visegrips). Do you use the hamer handpiece where you used prong
pushers and setting pliers before?

TIA,
Roy (Jess)

8 
       What are the pro's and con's of hammer hanpieces for
flex-shaft machines.

Hi Greg! I bought two of these mechanical hammers for the school.
They are just great but quite fragile, both of them last about 2
years. They had a hard test in school because some students are not
always using it correctly and they like it a little bit to much. It
is good for setting and also good to do textures on jewelry pieces
with one of the hammer head transform as a point. Always keep the
hammer head tightly screw. You can buy extra heads to shape some
special points. Vincent Guy Audette

9

Hi! The thickness I use depends on the piece…usually from 18
to22 guage. Usuallythough I pour out some fine silver in a wire
ingot mold and roll that down until it “looks about right”.
Jerry in Kodiak

10

Hey! Greg I’ve been there I broke my hand, actually two fingers
on my hammer hand and it’s deffinatly a pain! I totally recomend
a hammer hand piece they work great once you get the hang of it,
and most of them are adjustable. Just practice before you use it
on something expensive! Good luck! Matt W.