Hammer handpiece [Was: Stone setting]

Jewelry Discussion
1

Wendy, what is a hammer handpiece. It sounds like something I
might need. Thanks in advance, Rita

2

Hi Rita,

A hammer handpiece is a handpiece that replaces the normal
rotary handpie ce on a flexshaft. It transfers the rotary motion
of the flexshaft into an i n & out movement, The stroke is very
short, but with enough power to move metals. The changeable tips
used are hard & usually highly polished. They

can be different shapes (round, oval, square etc). Usually the
flexshaft is operated at a slower speed, about 5000 rpm.

GRS, of Benchmate fame makes several pnuematiclly driven hammer
handpiece s. They can also be used for engraving, by changing the
tips.

Dave

3

I have been interested in a hammer for sometime… but not sure
of all the things I could use it for … how do u use it …that
is what is it most effective with for example… Channel setting,
bezels, etc. (have the benchmate… couldn’t work without it…
use it for everything…setting, soldering, soft pounding, etc.

Thanks,

Jim

4 
 couldn't work without it.. use it for everything...setting,
soldering, soft pounding, etc.   >>

Please explain about the “soldering” . . . Benchmate
solders??? (I think I’m confused!)

5

Dave et al:

On the subject of the hammer handpiece, I’m sure I’ll be getting
one one day. Foredom makes one and there is a much more expensive
Swiss (I think) one advertised alongside it in the Rio catalog.
Anyone have any experience with either/both of these. Is the
pricey one that much better?

6

hi jim, i use the hammer handpiece for bezel setting, channel
setting (though i still will use the punch and hammer for these
at times) and texturing (stipling, with or without diamond
points). i’ve found them very useful. this is one piece of
equipment it doesn’t pay to scrimp. get the badeco if you’re
going to get one. it comes in reg or h.d.

best regards,

geo fox

7

Dave i had a swiss hammer hand piece i used for almost 15
years.It froze up recently and i bought one of the cheaper ones
while it is off being repaired. it seems to work very well but
no quite as sensative to impact adjustment and not quite the
range of adjustment as the swiss. good tool though. my
experience. Frank

8

hi jess,

badeco makes the best, longest lasting trouble free hammerpiece
that i know of. the foredom is a toy in comparison. the foredom
works ok at first but after a year or two the inside threads
that controls the amount of impact are worn out. the badeco
comes in a reg or h.d. . btw, it is swiss made.

best regards,

geo fox

9 
 have been interested in a hammer for sometime... but not sure
of all the things I could use it for ... how do u use it
...that is what is it most effective with for example.. Channel
setting, bezels, etc. (have the benchmate... couldn't work
without it.. use it for everything...setting, soldering, soft
pounding, etc.

I believe that the combination of a bench mate and a graver Max
with a heavy duty hand piece is all any stonesetter could ask
for( except for maybe a week off at christmas!!). I have had
this combination for about 4 years now and I still marvel at how
great it is. On some settings I still use a punch and hammer and
I still do some engraving by hand, but when it comes to sheer
power to move some metal with great control, the graver max is
fabtabulous!!!

Ray

10

The benchmate has an attachment that fits into the ring clamp
which is a soldering block. There is also a third hand
attachment and a place to put another. It’s a pretty cool setup
and is at the right height for soldering so you won’t breathe
the fumes! Wendy Newman

11 
 On some settings I still use a punch and hammer and
I still do some engraving by hand, but when it comes to sheer
power to move some metal with great control,  the graver max is
fabtabulous!!!

Howdy everyone, I’m normally a e-mail peeping tom but I have to
chime in on the gravermax. I know the manufacturer a little
better than just a working relationship and his name is DJ
Glasser. He gave me an off-handed challenge one day. He was
bragging about one of his salesmen setting a cz in steel at the
trade shows. (Well, I felt it was a challenge) So I went home
to one-up him!!! I bezel set a round commercial quality opal in
the center of a steel plate and engraved all around it. He was
impressed! The real point is, this Gravermax has so much
finesse, you can use it for the most delicate work as well as
hogging metal. This is not an advertisement, by the way. I’m a
jeweler and scrimshander in Kentucky.

12

Is this just for rings, or does it work so well for pins with a
flat back? Sandra

13

Duane:

I gather you are saying the gravermax beats the Foredom and the
Badeco hamer handpieces . . . .it better . . . . isn’t it more
$$$ than either?

14

I’ve noticed alot of messages about the electric hammer, and for
certain applications I swear by it,(the swiss one). However, if
I am setting anything that requires me to move alot of metal, I
still use a hammer and punch. Reason: the electric hammer
"pancakes" out the metal and I lose too much thickness in the
channel or bezel. Theres a hammer sold by Rio Grande, called the
Gersonhammer, that has a soft metal conical shaped head that I
use for all my punch and chasing work. I came up with it after
looking at a stonemasons hammer, and because I set a lot of
extremely brittle stones while looking under a 5X stereo
microscope. My biggest problems were, slippage of the hammer off
the punch when striking and having to look away from the scope
to align my old ballpein. Take a look in their catalogue and
you’ll see what I’m talking about. Roland

15 
 Howdy everyone,  I'm normally a e-mail peeping tom but I have
 to chime in on the gravermax.  I know the manufacturer a little
 better than just a working relationship and his name is DJ
 Glasser.  He gave me an off-handed challenge one day.  He was
 bragging about one of his salesmen setting a cz in steel at the
 trade shows.  (Well, I felt it was a challenge)  So I went home
 to one-up him!!!  I bezel set a round commercial quality opal
 in the center of a steel plate and engraved all around it.  He
 was impressed!  The real point is, this Gravermax has so much
 finesse, you can use it for the most delicate work as well as
 hogging metal.  This is not an advertisement, by the way.  I'm
 a jeweler and scrimshander in Kentucky.

Okay, this was the straw that broke this camels back. I read
the following post (really nothing I hadn’t heard before) and
checked the Rio Grande website where I found a good deal on a
Graver Max. Bought it.

Now I need a hand piece. Any recommendations? Thanks in
advance.

Dick Caverly

16

I have 2 of the handpieces, both have the quick change collets
to hold the tools. One is shaped like a graver handle, and I have
an accessory handle that takes the same tool holders. GRS
products are well made.

Rick
Richard D. Hamilton

Fabricated 14k, 18k, and platinum Jewelry
wax carving, modelmaking, jewelry photography

http://www.rick-hamilton.com
@rick_hamilton

17

I gather you are saying the gravermax beats the Foredom and the
Badeco hamer handpieces . . . .it better . . . . isn’t it more
$$$ than either?

The gravermax also needs a source of compressed air- and quiet
compressors are not cheap. The badeco handpiece is slimmer than
any air hammer handpiece I’ve seen, and simply attaches to a
flexshaft. The gravermax is a lot more versatile, however, it is
primarily a power engraving and carving tool, though it works
very well for hammer setting.

Rick
Richard D. Hamilton

Fabricated 14k, 18k, and platinum Jewelry
wax carving, modelmaking, jewelry photography

http://www.rick-hamilton.com
@rick_hamilton

18

Hi Dick, The handpieces I use are the quick connect heavy duty
and mini handpiece, which works well for hand engraving and light
work.

Duane

19 
I gather you are saying the gravermax beats the Foredom and the
Badeco hamer handpieces . . . .it better . . . . isn't it more
$$$ than either?

Hi again, yes the gravermax is more money. About $1000.00 plus
it needs a compressor. It will hammer ANY bezel with fantastic
finesse and awesome power. It has two ports for two different
handpieces and a port for an ultra high speed (300,000 rpm)
rotary tool which is great for carving in wood, ivory, stone with
diamond burrs. It is very versatile, but make sure you have the
need. GRS will send an info packet if you call 1-800-835-3519

Duane

20 
 GRS products are well made.

I tried the graver max and could not get the impact to exceed
the impact of my swiss hammer by much. I was probably not doing
it correctly, but I felt it had better be a miracle tool for the
money. If it was just a little better I didn’t want it, I
expected it to make my breakfast. I also needed a silent air
compressor ($1000.00). I feel I should reconsider, maybe. Mark P.