 |
Here is your next issue of E-BENCH. Thanks for subscribing.
<=> <=> <=> <=> E-BENCH <=> <=> <=> <=> The E-Mail Newsletter for Bench Jewelers
May 2004 Volume 5 Issue 04 circulation over 2,900
((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))
<=> <=> 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!
We assure you that your email address is kept strictly confidential and is not shared with anyone for any reason.
E-BENCH is sent to you each month FREE of charge because of the generous support of our SPONSORS. Please support them with your purchases.
E-BENCH is a BENCH MEDIA Publication BENCH MEDIA is a B W Simon Company Bradney W Simon – Publisher Daniel Spirer - Proofreader
((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))
<=> <=> <=> TABLE OF CONTENTS <=> <=> <=>
REVERE’S TIPS FOR JEWELERS 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.
STEWART'S BENCH TIPS Bench Tips from Stewart’s International School for Jewelers
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
((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))
<=> <=> <=> E-BENCH SPONSOR <=> <=> <=>
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
((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))
<=> <=> REVERE’S TIPS FOR JEWELERS <=> <=>
Tips for Jewelers Who Do Repairs from Alan Revere Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts
Bending Tubing
As every bench jeweler has discovered, bending tubing is easier said than done. When using your hands or a clamp, tubing just folds and creases, like a plastic straw. But unlike plastic, if you know what you are doing, it is easy to form metal tubing into a smooth and even curve.
Let’s say you want to bend a piece of tubing into a bangle bracelet, which will make it a lot lighter and less expensive than using a solid rod of metal. In order to bend tubing without crushing it, you need to support it, either on the interior or the exterior.
Here is a way that works well all the time. Go to a hardware store and find a steel spring that fits snugly over the tubing. (You can even buy springs made expressly for this purpose in some hobby stores.) You will need a piece of tubing that is longer than called for in the final bracelet, in order to gain leverage. Anneal the tubing and then put the spring around it. Now use a curved form, like a bracelet mandrel or piece of plumbing pipe, slightly smaller than the desired curve of the tubing. Spread out your fingers and apply even pressure, as you force the tubing/spring assembly against the mandrel. It will naturally recoil a little as you release the pressure, depending on the alloy and hardness. Now slide the spring along a little further and bend the next section, proceeding in this fashion until the entire tube is formed into a circle with overlapping ends. Then pull the spring off; sometimes it is necessary to use a lubricant and an "unscrewing" tug to remove it. Amazing!
This Tip is from the forthcoming book "101 Bench Tips for Jewelers" written by Alan Revere and published by MJSA/AJM Press.
((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))
<=> <=> QUOTE WORTH RE-QUOTING <=> <=>
If a man has a talent and cannot use it, he has failed. If he has a talent and uses half of it, he has partially failed. If he has a talent and learns somehow to use the whole of it, he has gloriously succeeded and won a satisfaction and triumph few men ever know. Thomas Wolfe
((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))
<=> <=> <=> 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
((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))
<=> <=> <=> FEATURE ARTICLE <=> <=> <=> GIVE ME A BREAK A Bench Jeweler’s Guide to Taking Breaks
When I was a young teenager I was riding my bike around town one afternoon when I came upon the fire department fighting a fire in a church. Although they had been there for a while, the church was engulfed in flames. As I watched the fire, I noticed one fireman who was not working. He was standing next to the fire truck drinking coffee while the church burned to the ground behind him.
That evening at supper I told the story to my family and with righteous indignation stated how terrible our fire department was. If the fireman did their jobs rather than standing around drinking coffee, the church may not have burned down.
I received that night my first lesson in worker productivity. My father patiently explained how he WAS doing his job: how that fireman could have been one of the first to the scene, and after fighting the fire for hours, fatigue could start to set in, which would effect how well he performed his job. Without a break, not only his life, but the lives of the other firemen, could be in jeopardy.
Sometimes the BEST use of our time is to take a break. There comes a point of diminishing returns when you continue to push yourself without taking a break. As we work harder and longer, we become bored and/or tired. We end up slowing down our pace and begin daydreaming which puts us further behind. With the added stress, we become less creative, which hinders our work. Without our creative edge, we often become aggravated, tense, depressed, or annoyed and we accomplish less. We are caught in this negative and unproductive downward spiral. Our work feels like running on a treadmill. We work harder and harder but never seem to get anywhere. A break from our work stops the downward spiral and allows us to get off the treadmill.
CHILDHOOD TRAINING “You can’t go out to play until all your chores are done!” I’m sure most of us were told that while growing up. Many of us learned it so well that we not only told it to our children, but we have also carried this rule with us to work, and now it is difficult to ‘play’ because our work never seems to be finished. As adults we find that the more we accomplish, the more there is to do - There Is No Such Thing as Getting ALL Your Work Done! Instead of thinking ‘You can’t play until you get all your work done’ we need to change our thinking to something like: ‘You can’t take a break until you finish this group of work.’ Or ‘Unless you take a break to refresh yourself, you’ll NEVER get your work done!’
I DON’T HAVE TIME It was said that Martin Luther got up early each morning to pray for an hour before starting his day’s activities. The only exception to his routine was on days he was particularly busy. On those days he prayed for TWO hours! “The time to relax is when you don’t have time for it” says consultant Sydney Harris. The days we feel like we don’t have time to take a break are the days we need them the most. In the long run, a short diversion from your work will renew and invigorate you, and you’ll be more productive and creative during the time you are working.
By taking a break we refresh our body and revitalize our mind. Studies show that taking a break every 50 to 90 minutes actually increases productivity and creativity. However, most bench jewelers do not use this valuable resource properly.
BREAK MISUSE Breaks do not have to be long to be effective. Just getting up and stretching or going to the sink to wash your hands and face can be invigorating, and effective, in giving our minds a change of pace, and it only takes a minute or two. However in many shops, breaks by the jewelers are excessive and detrimental to the productivity of the shop. Rather than a short refreshing break, many jewelers waste away hours a day socializing and daydreaming. A balance needs to be maintained. A change of pace is needed to maintain productivity but long excessive breaks need to be eliminated or at least reduced.
We need to be careful that taking breaks during our work day does not lead to developing a work schedule like the signs you can buy in the tourist souvenir shops: 8:00 Arrive at Work, 8:05 to 10:05 Coffee Break, 10:05 to 10:10 Work, 10:10 to 11:55 Morning Break, 11:55 to 12:00 Work, 12:00 to 2:00 Lunch, etc. etc.
Many times we do not plan a schedule like this but we stop to talk with a co-worker about last night’s ballgame, a movie we’ve seen, or to share some juicy gossip about a mutual acquaintance. Before we know it, we have wasted half an hour or more. Or the mail comes and there is a new catalog from a supplier and we sit down to look through it, daydreaming of all the new equipment we would like to have, and soon 45 minutes are gone. Now, socializing with co-workers and planning the future of the business are all important things to do. However, when they become excessive and keep us from finishing our work, it adversely affects our productivity rather than refreshing us.
WORK SMARTER NOT HARDER A story is told about two lumberjacks clearing an area of land. The first lumberjack would chop wood for a while then take a break. Then he would chop for a little while longer and then take a break again. All the while the second lumberjack was busy chopping wood. He worked hard all day long from dawn to dusk, barely taking time to eat lunch. However, at the end of the day the first lumberjack had chopped far more wood than the second lumberjack. Discouraged by the day’s activities, the second lumberjack complained to the first saying, “I worked hard all day long while you piddled around taking breaks all day, yet you chopped more wood than I did. I don’t understand how this could be.” The first lumberjack replied, “While I was taking a break, I was sharpening my axe!” Not only was that lumberjack sharpening his axe, he was also ‘sharpening’ his mind and body, allowing him to work at maximum productivity all day long. As a result he accomplished more during his day then the second lumberjack who, although he had worked hard, never stopped to refresh himself, or to take care of his tools.
You have to be smart in the breaks you take. If you have been setting a lot of melee in a pave’ setting, you don’t want to read a book, magazine, or catalog while taking a break. That will do nothing to relieve the eye fatigue. However, if you have been doing a lot of mind numbing sizing and chain repairs. Then reading BENCH Magazine or a book can be a refreshing break and you will gain knowledge in the process – hardly a waste of time!
If you have been doing a lot of stone setting, you have been straining the muscles in your hands and fingers, straining your eyes, and concentrating your mind on your work. For a break you might want to get up and sweep the floor. In doing this you relax the fingers while exercising the arms, shoulders, upper torso, and legs – a good change of pace from sitting in your chair all day. You can relax your eyes and let your mind wander. In addition, you are sweeping up the gold dust on the floor which you can send to the refiner for cash in your pocket rather than having it walk out the door on the bottom of your shoes. It is hardly a waste of time and it provides a refreshing break from your stone setting work.
There are many ways to take a productive break from your work which allows you to change pace and be refreshed. Maintaining tools while on a break, as the lumberjack did, is an excellent way to take a ‘productive’ break. Sharpening gravers, or drill bits, cleaning and oiling your pliers, changing the solution in the ultrasonic, or cleaning your files, are just a few ways to accomplish this. Putting tools away and organizing the shop are also good tasks to do on a break, 5 minutes a day can make a big difference in the shop over the course of a week. However, sometimes you just need to go get a cup of coffee and get away from it all. Just be certain that the time spent ‘away from it all’ is only few minutes and not a half hour or more!
((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))
<=> <=> QUOTE WORTH RE-QUOTING <=> <=>
The only time I become discouraged is when I think of all the things I like to do and the little time I have in which to do them. Thomas Edison
((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))
<=> <=> <=> E-BENCH SPONSOR <=> <=> <=>
SIMON SEZ SEMINARS
Bradney W. Simon is a JA Certified Master Bench Jeweler with over 26 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
((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))
<=> <=> STEWART'S BENCH TIPS <=> <=>
Bench Tips from Stewart’s International School for Jewelers http://www.stewartsintlschool.com/
RECOVERING GOLD FROM THE ULTRASONIC By Jim Stewart
Pour the solution through a paper coffee filter placed inside a strainer. The solution then runs into a large can or bowl. Next, use a paper towel to wipe the sludge out of the tank. Place the coffee filter and paper towel inside a plastic trash bag and when full send it to a refinery. The old solution can be reused. Put it back into the ultrasonic tank, and then add a little non-ammoniated concentrate.
((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))
<=> <=> QUOTE WORTH RE-QUOTING <=> <=>
Dreams plus desire to achieve them equals success. Robbie Romieser
((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))
<=> <=> <=> 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.
((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))
<=> <=> AT THE PLATINUM BENCH <=> <=>
Tips for working on Platinum from Jurgen J. Maerz CMBJ, Director of Technical Education for Platinum Guild International http://www.pgi-platinum-tech.com
Don't discard your broken twist drills; it's quite simple to re-sharpen them. Just place a separating disc at the proper angle to grind a new tip. Take care not to overheat the tip of the drill.
((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))
<=> <=> QUOTE WORTH RE-QUOTING <=> <=>
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interest, but also for the interest of others. Philippians 2: 3-4
((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))
<=> <=> <=> E-BENCH SPONSOR <=> <=> <=>
Run Your Shop Without It Running You A Practical Guide To Efficient Shop Management
With over one hundred and fifty pages of information, illustrations, and worksheets, this is the most comprehensive book on Shop Management available today.
This Valuable Guide Is A Must In Every Retail Jewelry Store
“For too many years, Simon says, jewelry storeowners have believed the fallacy the shop can’t be a profit center. He destroys that notion step-by-step with a practical book that shows owners and shop mangers the keys to profitability.” Professional Jeweler Magazine
Only $39.95 (US dollars) plus S&H - $4.00 US, $10 International
Send your order and check to: B W Simon 106 S. Pinepoint Dr. Spartanburg, SC 29307 U S A
((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))
<=> <=> <=> FAVORITE TIPS <=> <=> <=>
Before setting colored stones wash your hands and clean off your bench top, bench pin, and lap tray. Metal filings and abrasive particles on your bench and hands can scratch soft stones during setting.
< < < < < <> > > > > >
Always apply solder to one side of the joint, and then pull the solder through the joint by heating from the other side. If you apply solder all around the joint a weak joint may result from the solder only flowing at the surface and not completely through the joint. This is referred to as a “cold solder joint”. It is particularly important to watch for this when soldering thicker prices of metal together, such as heavy men’s ring shanks.
< < < < < <> > > > > >
A solution to the annoying and
potentially
hazardous problem of breathing dust
from
polishing and rubber wheels used
with your
flex-shaft is to make a guard to fit
your flex-
shaft handpiece. This guard can easily and
economically be made from a water or
soft drink
plastic bottle.
First, cut off the top portion of the
bottle.
Then, cut a section off the side to
create the
hood.
Next, you need to make the inside diameter
of
the neck of the bottle the same size as
the
diameter of your flex-shaft handpiece. If the
bottle’s neck is too small, cut a slit
through
it so that you can spread it open. If the
bottle’s neck is too large, cut a
section out
as if sizing a ring.
Next, carefully heat the bottle’s neck
over an
alcohol lamp to soften the
plastic. Heat only
the neck of the bottle, not the rest of
the
guard. When heated, the plastic will turn
opaque white. While soft, slid the guard onto
your flex-shaft handpiece to form the
plastic
tightly around the hand piece, and
allow it to
cool. The guard can easily be slipped on when
needed or off when you do not wish to
use it.
< < < < < <> > > > > >
Never place more than one piece of jewelry in an envelope. If the customer brings in multiple items for repair, use a separate envelope for each article. Then complete descriptions and instructions of each piece can be recorded. Later, there will be no confusion in the shop as to what is to be done and to which piece of jewelry. Make a notation on the envelope that this is job 1 of 2, 2 of 2, etc. Then you can verify that all work is finished before notifying the customer.
< < < < < <> > > > > >
Precious metal particles are washed down the drain in many shops. To avoid this install a special precious metal trap in the drain line on the sink in the shop. There are several styles available from tool suppliers. Be certain to purchase one that is made to trap precious metal particles, not just loose stones. For the retail shop, the small drum trap with a separating screen is adequate. Clean this trap out whenever water slows going down the drain.
< < < < < <> > > > > >
If you have a tip you would like to share with our readers send it in an e-mail to
((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))
<=> <=> QUOTE WORTH RE-QUOTING <=> <=>
Enjoying success requires the ability to adapt. Only by being open to change will you have a true opportunity to get the most from your talent. Nolan Ryan
((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))
<=> <=> <=> 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.
((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))
<=> <=> <=> GERRY’S GEMZ <=> <=> <=>
Stone setting tips from Gemz Diamond Setting http://www.gemzdiamondsetting.com/index.html by Gerald N. Lewy
One of the most available items in office supplies stores that are useful for jewelers is Thumb Guards. What are they good for? Well, one thing is that they will protect the thumb- pad so you won’t get cuts from the graver you could be using. Imagine receiving multiple cuts and then using the polishing machine. Think of the residue that is now being built INTO YOUR finger?
What kind of guard and what size? A proper fitting thumb guard must have ventilation, or your thumb will soften and not give you proper setting co-ordination. Do not buy a guard that is too tight, it will restrict blood flow and compress the sides of your thumb.
((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))
<=> <=> QUOTE WORTH RE-QUOTING <=> <=>
There is more to life than to increase its speed. Mohandas Gandhi
((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))
<=> <=> WORKSHOP SAFETY FOR JEWELERS <=> <=>
Workshop Safety Tips From Charles Lewton-Brian
Hand tools are less dangerous in general than power tools, though they can inflict serious injury easily. My stonesetting teacher, Walter Zeiss, told me about a friend who had put a graver right through his hand and out the other side when he slipped with it. I've heard that the most frequent injury in art schools is with tools similar to X-acto knifes. With hand tools it is a good idea to:
Maintain the tool well. Poor maintenance and dull edges on cutting tools lead to many an accident.
Use eye and hearing protection as indicated by the tool. When using a jewelers’ saw, for instance, one should use eye protection in case the blade snaps and a piece flies into the eye and the same for much punch and hammer use. Hammering requires adequate hearing protection. Other hand tools will have their own particular safety issues.
Dee Fontans says "Don't put your fingers on the anvil". That means that you don't put your fingers where injury can happen to them. Don't, for instance, place your fingers in the path of a saw blade when sawing, where if the blade breaks it can plunge into your finger, or otherwise put your fingers in front of a tool. Always cut away from yourself. This advice of course counts for power tools too!
Organize your tools for easy use and access. Your workbench should be like the cockpit of an airplane; everything organized for ease and frequency of use. You should not have to work to put something away or pick it up.
For more information on Workshop safety from Charles Lewton-Brian log onto: http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/safety.htm
((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))
<=> <=> Thank You for Reading <=> <=>
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.
<=> <=> SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION <=> <=>
We value every subscriber and respect your privacy. We do not sell, rent, or otherwise disclose our list of subscribers for any reason. Your Email Address Is Kept Strictly Confidential.
To subscribe, log onto: http//www.BWSimon.com/E-Bench
If you do not wish to continue receiving this newsletter Reply to this message with UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line.
If you change your e-mail address, PLEASE let us know. Each month we have several newsletters returned to us because the e-mail address is no longer in service. We have no alternative method of contacting you, and cannot send you future issues unless you notify us of your new e-mail address.
< < < < < <> > > > > >
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.
< < < < < <> > > > > >
For editorial suggestions, comments, ideas or requests, please send an E-Mail to
Copyrighted, 2004, BENCH MEDIA. All rights reserved.
< < < < < <> > > > > > |