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viii introduction

Sawing & Piercing1 Blade Smarts: tips for selecting the correct saw blade Text and photo by Alan Revere

2 making the cut: does lubricant aid the sawing process? | Text and photos by Ann Cahoon

6 a cut above: hone your basic piercing skills Text and photos by Jurgen J. Maerz

Drilling9 the hole Story: drilling tips and techniques Text and photos by Charles Lewton-Brain

11 hut, hut, hike! Using a tripod stance for stabilizing work | Text and photo by Alan Revere

12 Wax in the hole: Keeping tool lubricant within easy reach | Text and photo by Alan Revere

13 Blown away: creating a homemade blowgun Text and photos by Fabio Penuela

15 a Slippery Slope: Securing curved stones for easy drilling | Text and photos by Helen I. Driggs

taBle of contentSCold Connections

18 Solid rivets: a step-by-step guide to an essential cold connection | Text and photos by Helen I. Driggs

22 cool connections: transforming a nail into a riveting tool | Text and photos by Karen Christians

24 down the tubes: a step-by-step guide to creating hollow rivets | Text and photos by Helen I. Driggs

Soldering29 Going with the flow: the source of the heat in soldering | Text by Gregg Todd, Photos by Greg Gilman

32 don’t move: Keep the flame still during soldering Text and photo by Jeanette K. Caines

34 Staying local: Should the whole piece be heated during soldering? | Text and photo by Jeanette K. Caines

36 the heat is on: how crucial is the flame’s cone? Text and photos by Jeanette K. Caines

38 friendly fire: three useful soldering aids Text and photos by Helen I. Driggs

40 Block Buster: are magnesia soldering blocks superior to charcoal blocks? | Text and photos by Ann Cahoon

42 Sneaky Soldering: Getting an ultra clean weld in a mixed-metal design | Text and photos by Bob Lynn

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Stone Setting44 Simply Set: a guide to a basic four-prong setting Text and photos by Joel McFadden

47 Bezel Basics: tips to overcoming bezel setting obstacles | Text and photos by Joel McFadden

51 Straight flush: a step-by-step guide to flush setting Text and photos by Joel McFadden

54 on the level: a guide to basic channel setting Text and photos by Joel McFadden

57 Single file: a step-by-step guide to single-row pavé setting | Text and photos by Joel McFadden

60 cracking down: Sealing cracks in gemstones Text and photos by Gary Dawson

61 last-minute layout: Using a millimeter gauge to place gems for graver setting Text and photos by Gary Dawson

63 channel Surfing: making a setting aid to improve control and quality | Text and photos by Fabio Penuela

66 Prying Pliers: transforming flat-nosed pliers into prong-pulling pliers | Text and photos by Jimmy Butts

70 take a different angle: a homemade setting tool for awkward angles | Text and photos by Fabio Penuela

72 look on the Bright Side: Setting a gem in a basic bright-cut setting | Text by Gregg Todd, Photos by Greg Gilman

76 Get Your ducks in a row: a step-by-step guide to multi-row pavé setting | Text and photos by Joel McFadden

80 Goin’ fishing: a step-by-step guide to fishtail setting Text and photos by Joel McFadden

83 fit and trim: ensuring a perfect stone inlay fit Text and photos by Gary Dawson

Laser Work86 holding Steady: What a bench jeweler can learn from a sniper when laser welding Text and photos by Gary Dawson

88 Stick with it: Using sticky foam to lay out designs for laser welding | Text and photos by Susan Eisen

Finishing & Polishing89 different Strokes: hone your basic filing skills Text and photos by Jurgen J. Maerz

92 all Wrapped Up: tips for efficient sanding Text and photos by Gary Dawson

94 Portable Polishing: making your own custom finishing sticks | Text and photos by Helen I. Driggs

98 turning Point: tips for split lapping your way to a fast and efficient finish | Text and photos by Brett Gober

103 running in circles: Speeding up polishing the inside of a ring | Text and photos by James Binnion

104 finish line: creating cool finishes with inexpensive tools | Text and photos by Lee Krombholz

107 Get Buffed: is raking or singeing better buff prep? Text and photos by Ann Cahoon

Fabrication Projects109 light Work: Setting diamond slices in stamped gold settings | Text and photos by Roland Auer

113 odd job: Building a custom gold ring for a nonstandard sapphire | Text and photos by Gary Dawson

116 Split decision: fabricating a split-shank bezel ring Text and photos by Mark Maxwell

120 love light: Using a laser welder to fabricate a custom engagement ring | Text and photos by Lee Krombholz

124 old School: hand fabricating an edwardian-style brooch | Text and photos by Mark Maxwell

129 here’s the catch: fabricating an 18k link bracelet with a lentil-style catch | Text and photos by Mark Maxwell

Bench Resources136 hauser & miller138 rio Grande140 Gesswein141 Gemological institute of america

142 Knew concepts143 laserStar technologies144 Pepetools145 myron toback

146 index148 about the contributors150 more mjSa Bench resources