Hi All;
One of the handiest gadgets commonly found in a hardware store (and
not one most would think of) is the “strap hinge”. This is an
inexpensive hinge used for gates, doors, etc. It looks like to long
triangles that hinge together at the base of the triangles, and have
several holes in each triangle to mount them. What can you do with
these?
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you can mount short stove bolts in the ends, so that when the
tips of the hinges come together, the rounded heads of the bolts
meet. If you polish the bolt heads, this gives you an affair you can
mount on the bench and use to put a hammered finish on both sides of
a piece of metal at once.
-
continuing with the strategy of the first example, you can refine
some stove bolt heads to create a number of different “swages”.
Example, take to bolts, shape the heads by grinding them down in such
a way that you leave a pronounced ridge across the head of each one.
Bolt them into your hinge so that the ridges line up. This will allow
you to forge a groove on two sides of square stock simultaneously,
then rotate 90 degrees and forge again. The resulting stock has an
"X" shaped cross section, which, when twisted, provides a unique
visual effect. You could also use these swages to neck in a piece of
tubing at chosen intervals by hammering with the ridges going across
the tubing and turning the tubing while hammering.
-
you can clamp the hinge shut and drill a series of graduated
holes a little way down into the meeting surfaces. This, when used
with a vise, will hold different diameters of tubing for setting.
I’m sure others will find uses for these hinges I haven’t thought of
yet.
David L. Huffman
Hi Annabel,
I have obtained these tools from the hardware store for jewelery
use: - ViceGrip pliers, smallest size (6"oa) needle nose, with the
teeth filed off. This is my most used bench tool because it locks
onto the smallest piece and has a very controllable and powerful
gripping/squeezing force. Better than parallel pliers in my opinion.
- Club/sledge hammer, with anvil (a 20+ kg steel cylinder obtained
from the scrap metal yard). These are the predecessors to the rolling
mill and still have much use.
I also have metalwork and woodwork tools for workshop maintenance
and improvements, the occasional restoration of antique or objects
de’art, and for making or modifying jewelery tools. Many of these are
usefull in jewelery, eg big tinsnips, big files, hacksaw, chordless
drill & bits, ‘F’ clamp.
Cheers, Alastair
What do you do with the Teflon tape?
I use it when attaching gas lines, torches, regulators, etc.
Thanks, Donna-- but I must confess I am disappointed. I assumed you
had some cool, exotic use for teflon tape at the bench… instead of
dental floss for trying stones, maybe, or some fun thing. Oh, well.
Noel
Teflon tape is, indeed, great stuff. Be sure, though, that you use
the yellow tape for gas applications…
Andy
The Stanley Tool company, a respected American tool manfacturer.,used
to make a mini bench vise consisting of a machinest’s vise mounted on
a swivel base with a quick release. It is milled on all sides and can
be positoned on a vertical or horizontal position. You can use it to
hold a ring or other object for cutting with an abrasive disk and it
is also very effectively used to hold a ring for soldering,
especially when the ring is under tension and has to be compressed. A
more exotic use is that of using it to compress the back of a watch
onto the case…in this scenario, you had better have the nylon
case cradles to distribute the compressive forces without breaking
the crystal ! I also use this vise to compress metal, hold objects
being soldered and hold objects being sawed. I once had a weird
jeweler offer me a questionable act for my vice. Come on…why give
a moments pleasure for a lifetime of satisfaction ?
Ron Mills, Mills Gem Company, Los Osos, Ca.
Cheap crap from India is right. I just used a pair of diagonal wire
cutters for the first time. SNAP ! went one of the handles, right by
the pivot. The dividers I got as part of a tool kit I have are
covered with rust. I’m casting a wary eye at my rolling mill from
India, looking for signs of rust. None yet. From now on, I buy
German, Swiss or American. Not to denigrate the Chinese, Indians, or
Pakistanis as ethnic groups, but when they learn to make quality
tools, I might consider buying again.
Brian Corll
Vassar Jewelers
Hi Gang,
Not to denigrate the Chinese, Indians, or Pakistanis as ethnic
groups, but when they learn to make quality tools, I might
consider buying again.
If you bought the imported stuff in the US you might consider the
fact that the design, specifications & target cost were input by a
vendor here in the States.
Admittedly, when 1st starting out many persons/companies don’t have
the skills or equipment to produce top quality goods. Just remember
what happened in Japan. After WWII their industries were trying to
get back on their feet. A lot of what was sold in the US had a ‘Made
in Japan’ sticker/stamp on it. It was generally considered as ‘crap’
by most folks. Now look at the stuff we get from Japan; in many
cases it’s the best money can buy.
Dave
From now on, I buy German, Swiss or American. Not to denigrate the
Chinese, Indians, or Pakistanis as ethnic groups, but when they
learn to make quality tools, I might consider buying again.
I think you should re-consider. For instance, the Chinese-made
bench-vises are great! I have a brass dapping block that I absolutely
love. I do not think you should be so quick to cateorize according to
the country of origin.
Cynthia Eid
Dave,
Yeah, I remember the “Made in Japan” stuff from when I was a kid in
the 50’s and 60’s. I remember the “cheap” Japanese furniture and
artwork my grandparents brought back from Japan when the Occupation
ended in '58. God, I wish I had that stuff now. But I’m not so sure
we’ll see the same evolution with Chinese and Indian goods. The
Japanese were a different bunch entirely, much more dedicated to
improving their production rather than just making the easy buck from
Americans like many of the other Asian countries. Taiwan is the only
other country I can think of that has made a similar achievement.
Brian Corll
Vassar Jewelers