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E-BENCH <=> <=>
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The E-Mail Newsletter
for Bench Jewelers
March 2005
Volume 6 Issue 3
circulation over 3,600
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<=> <=> ABOUT THIS NEWSLETTER <=>
<=>
E-BENCH is a FREE monthly newsletter for Retail
Jewelry Store Owners, Shop Managers, Bench
Jewelers and Anyone Else That Is Interested.
We encourage you to forward this newsletter to
anyone that you think may benefit
from it,
provided you forward all of it
without
modification and not just portions of
it.
This document may NOT be distributed for
profit. E-BENCH is a copyrighted newsletter
and all rights are reserved!
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SPONSORS. Please support them with your
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E-BENCH is a BENCH MEDIA Publication
BENCH MEDIA is a B W Simon Company
Bradney W Simon – Publisher
Daniel R. Spirer - Proofreader
daniel@spirerjewelers.com
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<=>
<=> <=> TABLE OF CONTENTS <=>
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Tips for Jewelers,
Who Do Repairs from Alan Revere
FEATURE ARTICLE
Learn how to make your shop more profitable, a
new technique, or brush up on basic
skills.
AT THE PLATINUM BENCH
Tips for working on Platinum from
Platinum Guild International
FAVORITE TIPS
Tips and Tricks to make your work on the bench
a little easier and more productive
from
Bradney W. Simon CMBJ and E-BENCH Readers.
GERRY’S GEMZ
Stone setting tips from Gemz Diamond Setting
WORKSHOP SAFETY FOR JEWELERS
Tips from Charles Lewton-Brian
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<=>
<=> <=> E-BENCH SPONSOR <=>
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There’s Still Time!
There is still time to register for the Bench
Jewelers Conference & Expo April 22 – 24 in
The early registration discount deadline for
Friday’s Conference has passed, however
registration remains open. Some of the
seminars are filled, but there is still room in
many excellent seminars for you to choose from,
including Bench Tips, Stonesetting, Jewelry
Repair, Lasers, and CAD. Bench Jewelers
Conference includes a full day of seminars plus
Lunch and Dinner Programs on Friday and
Breakfast Programs on Saturday & Sunday.
Registration for the Expo on Saturday & Sunday
is FREE with advanced registration (Expo
Registration is $10 after April 20th). Bench
Jewelers Expo includes exhibits of 50 suppliers
and seminars in the Exhibitors Presentation
Theater.
For complete information and to register log
onto: http://www.bwsimon.com/Conference/
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<=>
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Tips for Jewelers Who Do Repairs
from Alan Revere
Did you know that you have a terrific stone
setting tool in your medicine cabinet? That is
right. Remember the free samples of dental
floss that your dentist gives you after every
visit? Well, even if you do not floss daily,
here is a great use for them.
When setting stones in bezels, jewelers often
have to periodically test the fit. This means
placing the stone into the setting to examine
how it rests and to determine whether
modifications are needed. But what if the
setting is too tight? Then the stone can get
jammed in place and in some cases, such as when
setting closed-backed bezels, it can be
impossible to remove.
This is where dental floss can save the day.
Before pushing the stone into the bezel to test
the fit, place a piece of floss over the
opening; it is so thin that you can still press
in the stone and get an accurate fit. Now all
you have to do is pull on the two ends of the
floss, and out comes the stone, easier than
pulling a loose tooth!
This Tip is from “101 Bench Tips for Jewelers"
written by Alan Revere and published
by
MJSA/AJM Press.
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<=> <=> QUOTE WORTH RE-QUOTING <=>
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Besides the noble art of getting things done,
there is the noble art of leaving things
undone. The wisdom of life consists in the
elimination of nonessentials.
Lin Yutang
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<=>
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<=> <=>
BENCH
ROM
The Multi-Media
Magazine for Bench Jewelers
BENCH ROM is an affordable method to learn new
skills and develop your career.
Discover New
Techniques
Learn New Tips to
Improve Your Work
See New Products and Technologies Demonstrated
All right from your home or shop without having
to travel to a seminar or trade show.
“Bench Rom is great,” says jeweler Bill Scores
“It’s like being in the shop of a Master
Jeweler and watching over his shoulder.”
Log onto www.BWSimon.com/BenchRom for more
information or to subscribe
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<=>
<=> <=> FEATURE ARTICLE <=>
<=> <=>
GIVE ME A BREAK
By
“Knowing when not to work is as important as
knowing when to work.” Harvey MacKay
Research shows that a short break every forty-
five minutes actually increases productivity.
The following are a few examples of ways bench
jewelers can take effective breaks. This is
not a comprehensive list, but is simply meant
to stimulate your creativity to find ways to
renew your body and mind so that you can work
at maximizing productivity during your work
day.
Coffee Break
This is the old stand by and just as effective
today as ever. Sometimes you just need to go
get a drink of your favorite beverage and get
away from it all.
Wash Your Hands
Going to the sink to wash your hands and face
can be very invigorating and effective in
giving our minds a change of pace, and it only
takes a minute or two. Also this helps prevent
illness - getting sick is a major
time waster.
Do Chores
For the creative person these menial tasks can
be a break, a change of pace that is badly
needed, and you can feel good about the
concrete, visible fruits of your labor. Sweep
the floor, dust the shelves, vacuum the shop,
change the solution in the ultrasonic, clean
out the polishing machine, put tools away,
organize your bench or shop, etc.
Maintaining Tools
Sharpen gravers and drill bits, clean and oil
Your Pliers, Clean Your Files, Change Broken
saw blades, change worn-out wheels on your flex
shaft mandrels, etc.
Exercise
Get up and stretch or take a quick walk around
the building or block. Exercise and fitness
doesn’t have to take much time, it creates a
natural high and it can increase your energy
for the entire day.
Planning
Look through a new catalog from a supplier and
daydream a little of all the new equipment you
would like to have; plan the future of your
shop.
Socializing with Co-Workers
This is important to do to maintain a good
working relationship among employees, and
should be done on a regular interval. Just
make certain your break does not become an
unwanted interruption to the other
workers.
Study Your Craft
Reading a magazine article or a book can be a
refreshing break and you will gain knowledge in
the process.
Take Time to Be Alone
Creative individuals need time alone; the
amount of time you need varies depending on
your personality and situation.
Take a Nap
You’d be surprised how many people incorporate
a nap into their daily routine. Winston
Churchill took daily naps, even during the
height of World War II. Thomas Edison is
famous for his 10 minute catnaps. 10 to 20
minutes is best. You’ll wake up refreshed,
recharged, and ready to take on the
world.
Daydream
Open your mind and let go. This is what
creativity is all about.
Curl Up With a Good Book
A good book can take you to distant places away
from work and other problems. However be
careful with this one. It is easy to get
caught-up in the book and waste away an hour or
so. Before beginning to read your book set a
kitchen timer for 5 or 10 minutes. Then, when
the timer goes off – stop reading and get back
to work.
Remember
Taking several small well-planned breaks
instead of one longer break helps keeps you
refreshed and working at maximum
productivity.
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<=> <=> QUOTE WORTH RE-QUOTING <=>
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Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.
Thomas Edison
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<=> <=> E-BENCH SPONSOR <=>
<=> <=>
The Ganoksin Project
www.ganoksin.com
The Gem and Jewelry Pre-Eminent Online
Resources. Open to the public
Free of
Charge.
A substantial library of articles,
publications, reports, and technical
data on
gem and jewelry related topics; as
well as a
sizable collection of art and jewelry
galleries, for both the casual
visitor and the
professional, also host the popular
Orchid
online forums for jewelers.
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<=> <=> AT THE PLATINUM BENCH <=>
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Tips that working with Platinum or working at
the bench in general - easier from
Jurgen J. Maerz CMBJ,
Director of Technical Education
for Platinum Guild International
http://www.pgi-platinum-tech.com
Selecting the proper fuel to work on platinum
is of utmost importance. Do not use acetylene;
since it has a high carbon content and expels
carbon in the flame the platinum will absorb
the carbon, leading to contamination and
brittle castings.
Although propane, or LPG, is also a carbon-
based fuel, it does not have the high carbon
content that acetylene does, and therefore can
be used for platinum. Be aware that even when
mixed with oxygen, propane does not burn as hot
as hydrogen and thus requires more time to melt
the platinum when casting. This longer melting
time can lead to porosity caused by gas
absorption or debris - a direct result of
keeping the metal in the melting crucible too
long.
The most efficient way to melt platinum is with
hydrogen combined with oxygen. This fuel is
carbon-free, and the high heat created by a
proper hydrogen/oxygen mix melts platinum in
seconds. But even with hydrogen, a proper
flame is crucial: If it’s too big, the flame
will heat the surrounding crucible, adding to
the melt time-and creating the same problems as
those with propane. Use as much oxygen as
necessary to make a relatively small but
oxidizing flame.
All fuel gases are dangerous, and you should
have a professional install your torch systems
and fuel tanks. In addition, the regulator on
the fuel tank should have a directional flow
restrictor, which allows gases to leave the
tank but not re-enter. For safety, use only
regulators designed for the fuel
you’re using.
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<=> <=> QUOTE WORTH RE-QUOTING <=>
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He who every morning plans the transactions of
the day and follows out that plan carries a
thread that will guide him through the
labyrinth of the most busy life. The orderly
arrangement of his time is like a ray of life
which darts itself through all his occupations.
But where no plan is laid, where the disposal
of time is surrendered merely to the chance of
incidents, chaos will soon reign.
Victor Higo
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<=>
<=> <=> E-BENCH SPONSOR <=>
<=> <=>
Jewelry Dealers
World Trade Network
http://www.JewelryDealersNetwork.com
<=> Bench Jeweler
Discussion Channel <=> >
Ask questions, share tips, and take part in the
ongoing discussions, or just read and
take in
all the advice from many excellent
jewelers
from around the world.
Membership includes: Topical Discussion
Channels, including
Bench Work, CAD-CAM, Stone Setting, and many
more.
You may buy, sell and trade on the
Buy/Sell Channels, Plus Much More.
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<=> <=> <=>
FAVORITE TIPS <=> <=>
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Place tools used most often
within your primary
reach. Place other tools within
your secondary
reach.
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To save time when sizing rings, use
several
pairs
of locking tweezers. Then a number of
rings
can be held at the same time to solder.
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Organize the work in the
shop so that similar
items that need soldering can be soldered at
the same time. Then you only
need to light the
torch once, do all of your soldering tasks and
then move on to another tool.
In this way, you
use your time most efficiently.
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Use a quick-change handpiece
rather than a
chuck with a key. You can never
seem to find
the key when you need it. In
addition, you
save time over loosening and tightening the
chuck. The time saved will pay
for the quick-
change handpiece in a month or less.
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When you are bezel or flush setting
stones with
pointed
ends, such as marquise and princess
cuts,
and baguettes, move the metal from the
side
of the stone toward the point. If you
work
from the corner to the center of the side,
you
will be moving metal away from the corner
and
will not have enough metal to properly
cover
the point of the stone.
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If you have a tip you would like to share with
our readers send it in an e-mail to
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<=> <=> QUOTE WORTH RE-QUOTING <=>
<=>
But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind
and straining toward what is ahead, I press on
toward the goal.
Philippians 3: 13
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<=>
<=> <=> E-BENCH SPONSOR <=>
<=> <=>
New from
MJSA/AJM Press
The AJM Guide to
Lost-Wax Casting
Learn from the masters how to achieve smooth,
porosity-free castings! The AJM Guide to Lost-
Wax Casting offers an abundance of best
practices, handy tips, and
troubleshooting
techniques. How to create trouble-free master
models to proper breakout
procedures.
Contributing experts include:
Charles Lewton-Brain, Jurgen J.
Maerz,
Gregg Todd, Michael Bondanza,
and many more.
For sample chapters and more information, go to
http://www.ajm-magazine.com/pub_press.php
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GERRY’S GEMZ <=> <=>
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Stone setting tips from Gemz Diamond Setting
http://www.gemzdiamondsetting.com/index.html
by Gerald N. Lewy
If you are working on a plate for bead setting,
you should take preventive measures for eye
glare by rubbing emery paper on the gold
surface.
The correct depth of a diamond or stone for
bead setting is to have the table of the stone
located just at the surface of the metal. The
height difference of the table to the girdle is
the correct depth for raising beads.
When you are working with many diamonds it is
advisable to have a smaller tray underneath
your bench peg. This will surely help you in
retrieving dropped stones. I always lay a
rubber pad in the tray as this will prevent
further bouncing of the lightweight
stones.
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<=> <=> QUOTE WORTH RE-QUOTING <=>
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That which holds the attention determines the
action.
William James
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<=>
<=> <=> E-BENCH SPONSOR <=>
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SIMON SEZ
SEMINARS
Bradney W. Simon is a JA Certified Master Bench
Jeweler with over 28 years experience on the
bench. He is the Editor and Publisher of
E-BENCH, BENCH Magazine, and BENCH ROM, and is
an accomplished platform speaker,
providing
Keynote Speeches, and Educational
Seminars.
Topics include:
Shop Management
Bench Tips
Jewelry
Demonstrations
For information on having him speak for your
organization, log onto;
http://www.BWSimon.com/SimonSez Seminars
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<=> <=> WORKSHOP SAFETY
FOR JEWELERS <=> <=>
Workshop Safety Tips From Charles Lewton-Brian
Have lots of personal safety equipment around.
We have hooks on the walls of our studio every
five feet or so and on them hang safety
glasses, face shields and ear muffs. When all
you have to do is reach out a hand in any
direction to reach safety equipment you will
use it. Make using your safety equipment easy
to do. To keep safety glasses scratch free I
keep mine in a plastic bag every time I take
them off. If they are scratched you will be
more reluctant to use them. We are used to
being somewhat stingy with safety equipment,
making it last a long time, accepting an
irritation with scratches on the lenses in an
attempt to 'save money'. It is better to have
your equipment easy and pleasant to use, so you
don't have to resent it.
Personal safety equipment like this is an
operating cost. Plan your budget to include it
so you can have good, scratch free glasses and
other equipment at hand when you need
them.
For more information on Workshop safety from
Charles Lewton-Brian log onto:
http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/safety.htm
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<=> <=> Thank You for
We are on the World Wide Web.
Visit us at http://www.BWSimon.com
A complete archive of back issues of E-BENCH is
located there.
Visit often, as we will be making changes to
our site, adding additional useful
information
for bench jewelers.
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<=> SUBSCRIPTION
INFORMATION <=> <=>
We value every subscriber and respect your
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Information provided in this document is
provided ‘As Is’ without warranty of
any kind,
either expressed or implied. This publication
is designed to provide accurate and
authoritative information concerning
the
subject matter covered. It is provided with
the understanding that the author or
publisher
is not engaged in rendering legal,
accounting,
or other professional services. If legal
advice or other expert assistance is
required,
the services of a competent
professional person
should be sought.
< <
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For editorial suggestions, comments, ideas
or requests, please send an E-Mail to
Bradney W. Simon mailto:Brad@BWSimon.com
Copyrighted, 2005, BENCH MEDIA.
All rights reserved.
BENCH MEDIA
864 - 680 – 4416
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