I had the opportunity to take a fabulous class from Jay Whaley last
weekend. He showed me a tool he calls a “setter’s aid” or “setter’s
helper” which allows one to make an indentation inside a thick bezel
so that it pushes over the stone more easily.
I have tried to find this tool through the various equipment
suppliers including Rio Grande, IJS, Progress and Otto Frei with no
luck.
Does anyone know where to get this tool…or perhaps a substitute
idea that performs the same function?
Thank you!
Dear Sally,
I am not familiar with the tool you are trying to locate, but I
wonder if this will help. You might try to contac someone who is
familiar with Jay Whaley’s workshops and demos, who could help you. I
did browse the catalog of merchandise under “order supplies”, and saw
nothing that matched your description. Maybe you could suggest that
they carry this tool in their catalog. I am curious to know more
about this tool of which you speak.
Best of luck!
Diane
Setter’s helper can be purchased from Stuller.
Linda Lankford
The tool you mentioned, a degausser, is a common watchmaker’s item
and should be easy to find not only new in watchmakers’ and jewelers
catalogues, but also used on the various e-sites. I have noticed a
fairly large amount of equipment and tools for sale and on auction.
Sally,
This “setter’s aid” tool is a set of 2 adjustable collars which fit a
standard bur shank. With an allen wrench, which is included, you can
adjust the distance between the cutting edge of the bur and the end
of the “collar”. This means that by adjusting the setter’s aid on a
suitable setting bur, you can use the bur to cut a groove around the
inside top edge of a heavy walled bezel. The collar keeps the bur at
exactly the right distance away from the bezel’s top edge. This
little trick will weaken the bezel at it’s top edge, and allow it to
more easily be pushed over the stone being set. I’ve bought my
"setter’s aid" from Paaz Jeweler’s Supply here in SD, as well as A
and A Supplies up in L.A. Pretty expensive, though…costs about $12
to $15. A steal!
A really handy, inexpensive tool, and helps considerably with
pushing down heavy bezels.
Jay Whaley
This "setter's aid" tool is a set of 2 adjustable collars which
fit a standard bur shank. With an allen wrench, which is included,
you can adjust the distance between the cutting edge of the bur and
the end of the "collar". This means that by adjusting the setter's
aid on a suitable setting bur, you can use the bur to cut a groove
around the inside top edge of a heavy walled bezel.
Oh! THAT’S what it is! Well, it’s a seal at $12, but you can also
make a similar tool for the price of a pencil. Cut about an inch long
section of a pencil, file the ends nice and flat/square to the shank,
and drill out the “lead” with a bit the same size as your bur shank.
Slip it onto the bur, and insert it in the flexshaft so just the
right amount is sticking out, and there you are, ready to roll!
Noel