Charles D. Eichhorn
miracle@ssi.parlorcity.com writes:
To:
Kenneth Gastineau
I have been watching a lot of Email since I join this forum, I am very
hesistant about answering any, but I seen yours and thought I would
share something that I learned. I have been a bench jeweler for the
past 17 years, I do designing, repair, casting, manufacturing, etc…
I can get myself into one to many things sometimes, I spend a great deal
of money buying the best equipment and tools, to get to the point
though, I spent about $300.00 on this “polymer” junk modeler. Did not
get the results that I seen at the Tucson MJSA show where it was
displayed. Called factory, etc… product just can not get fine results.
I designed a non-traditional class ring for a college utilizing their
logo, to begin manufacturing started I started by contacting others in
the large manufacturing of rings, etc… They said to have a metal model
made, so I did. Best advice ever, the company I used was Emblematic
Tool & Design in Cincinnati, OH. They reproduced the very detailed logo
from a laser line drawing print out from my computer. They also
injected the plastic for me, well work the time saved for me. They are
proffessional in what they do. I do repair for 5 stores,so I am very
busy, and could never have reproduced the quality of this companys work.
If you got a high quality item to reproduce check them out, make your
money at the bench.
Charles:
Someone once said “Shoemaker tend to thy lasts”, I agree. I do not work
exclusively as a bench jeweler, but as a small manufacturer of brass and
sterling jewelry. I am in the process of learning die and mold making, this
is the area of development that I am most interested as a craftsman. As an
artist I am interested in making my own molds and dies as to have more
influence over the translation of artwork into tooling. I know this goes
against what might seem the most profitable pursuit, but who knows.
Over the years I have tried to keep as much of our processing “in house”.
While many jewelers I know jobbed out their casting, I built my own foundry
and learned the necessary skills to do production casting ( it took me ten
years, but who’s counting). I can now profitably produce castings for what
I would be paying to have them done (or less). This helps to keep me
employed. I am hoping that learning to make my own molds and dies will do
the same.
Recently I considered having metal molds produced by some other business.
The cost of the molds would be around $250 to $400 each. Every year I will
need 24 or more molds to be made, not to mention other work that can be
done with the same equipment. I have been able to set myself up with an
engraving machine and cutter grinder for less than $2000 (used, of course).
I do not do general repair work and or custom work. If I did this I would
not have time to make tooling either. We repair only the jewelry we make
and generally have less than 10 repairs to do per year.
I have also set up a small machine shop in my studio, an old Logan lathe
with lots of tooling, a mill drill, an old Atlas shaper. These machines
have come in handy many times to build jigs and tools and even parts for
jewelry. I suppose that I could have jobbed this work out. Don’t get me
wrong, I am not a master machinist by any stretch of the imagination, but I
enjoy learning and doing a variety of tasks and can perform these tasks
when I need them, not when some other business can get around to it.
I bought the same Model Master that you bought for around $300. I was
disappointed at first, but learned to work with the polymer and it has more
than paid for itself. I didn’t realize that it is just a box with little
ultraviolet lights inside. I use a hair dryer on the polymer periodically
to keep it from getting too soft. I have since taken Jeffrey’s advice and
also use the ultrasonic cleaner.
I suppose what one chooses to do it is a matter of economic choices,
depending on the area you are located. Here in Central Kentucky
(Appalachia) the opportunities for jewelers are different than in large
cities.
Anyway Charles, I appreciate your advice and take it with the kindness and
consideration in which you gave it. I think you are correct, I am just too
eccentric to do anything about it. Thanks
Kenneth Gastineau
gastin@mis.net