I wonder if anyone on “Orchid” knows of a source for filigree jigs to
make traditional filigree patterns.
Phyllis Richardson
Hanuman’s Response
You can make The Jig by yourself, Discussions over this topic took place
few times over the last few of years at the Orchid forums. You can
retrieve the threads by running a keyword search at:
http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/archive/
Warmest Regards
Hanuman
Hi,
I am new to Orchid, but have been following every digest with great
interest. Thanks to you all for a great service, there are many of us
who don’t have anyone to go to for answer to metal questions.
My question is that I can’t find how to make a wire jig with the
search section you suggested. I know where I can buy one, but they
are very expensive about $50 someone must have an easy way of making
one with different size pegs to make ear wires and designs. So could
someone point me in the right direction if it is in the back issues
or Orchid, if not please advise. Thanks
Roxan O’Brien
@Roxan_O_Brien
If you are working on a really tight budget you can make jigs with
nothing more than a small piece of wood and some nails. I would use
finish nails that I prepolish then drive them into location. Once
they are firmly embedded I clip the heads off and file the bur.
Simple and almost free.
Norman
My question is that I can't find how to make a wire jig with the search section you suggested.
G’day; try the Orchid FTP site below - you’ll see an earwire jug at
‘Earwire’!
http://www.ganoksin.com/ftp/Earwirejig.jpg
Cheers,
John Burgess; @John_Burgess2 of Mapua Nelson NZ
Roxan O’Brien:
I did a quick look on the “Orchid” digest but had no success. I
think I was too impatient.
I read about a book entitled “A Modern Method of Creating Enameled
Filigree Jewelry”
by Leon Hornstein. I purchased a copy and it does tell you how to
make one yourself.
Howver, I do not want to make one but would like to know where to buy
one because a friend and myself will be demonstrating Filigree at our
next meeting.
Phyllis Richardson
Roxan: Leon Hornstein is a friend of mine. When he taught his
method of making filigree for the Gem Cutter’s Guild Workshop, we had
one of the members make the jigs to sell to the students. It is
time-consuming but if you are only making one it will not take you
too long. You could contact him and see if he has any jigs laying
around but I doubt it very much.
Good luck.
Iris in Baltimore
Hello Roxan,
The jigs are quite simple to make from a piece of hardwood and nails.
First, you have to mark with a pencil the places where you want the
nails to be. Then mark those with punch holes(if you don’t do it
first, the nails won’t go exactly where you want them), then hammer
the nails in, after that saw off the nail heads and file the ends to
a smooth finish.
Have fun,
Ruslana
Jigs are easy. Blocks of wood, some welding rod, and drill sizes to
fit. Now get to work.
Earwires are easy, too. Suppliers sell them, and competition for your
buck is cutthroat, so most of the deals are good. Save your time.
Persevere, Roxan. You’re in good hands here.
Dan Woodard, IJS
If you are working on a really tight budget you can make jigs with
nothing more than a small piece of wood and some nails. I would use
finish nails that I prepolish then drive them into location. Once
they are firmly embedded I clip the heads off and file the bur.
Simple and almost free.
Norman
Roxan, June Culp Zeitner wrote a technical article on filigree, which
included directions for a jig and lifter plate. It was published in
the January 2000 issue of Lapidary Journal. Reprints are available.
You can access the through their online services at:
http://www.lapidaryjournal.com Good luck! K.P. in WY
Thanks to all of you who helped me with the wire jig. I have finally
found one that isn’t expensive and I am going to order. It is called
a shapechanger and it is only $20.00, sure beats paying $50.00 for
the other ones that I have seen. Here is the web site
www.TSIjeweltools.com scroll down to shapechanger and click. Thanks
to you all for such great articles and help, I am new to Orchid but I
read every posting.20
Roxan O’Brien
@Roxan_O_Brien