Using wax for setting

Bob, i have a correction, it is play-doh, not play-do. sorry
about that my computer is at home and the bench is at the studio.
never the twain shall meet.

Rick, your method of using wax for bead and brightcut layout
sounds great can’t wait to try it i’ve been using calipers. i was
wondering if you push your beads before you do the brightcut. i
did it this way until i met a jeweler trained in switzerland who
does french pave’ he taught me to drill the holes, cut the seats,
and then do the brightcut before i pushed the beads. i found this
process much cleaner and got a lot better results. i have also
recentally set up a 8.5 power stereo microscope for setting
work. it makes a .01ct diamond look like a dinner plate(well
perhaps salad plate) you can see the bead move until it touches
the diamond. no more setting by feel.

I think it was Ken who does this…

The microscope is great though. I have a zoom scope that goes
from 3.5 to 22.5 magnification, with about 6" from the work to
the lens. Scratches look like highways… It does improve your
work.

Rick (?)

Richard D. Hamilton

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

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

your method of using wax for bead and brightcut layout sounds
great can’t wait to try it i’ve been using calipers. i was
wondering if you push your beads before you do the brightcut.

No, Frank, I havent tried bright cutting the metal before
pushing the beads over, but it sounds like a good idea. I noticed
sometimes (especially when there isnt much room for a bright cut)
that I have faint trail marks where the graver was used for
making the beads that I have to eliminate- which means making the
bright cut deeper than I want too. Thats a great idea! I’ll give
it a try. Thanks, Ken