Jeweler's Tools: Modification Tips and Tricks

In this article

Jeweler's Tools: Modification Tips and Tricks

In this article

Jeweler's tools: do they always need modifying?

Absolutely not. Most tools work perfectly well straight out of the pack. But there are others, such as gravers, that need a reasonable amount of modification before they can be used. Then, there’s the category that we’re going to discuss today: Simple tools that just need a little tweaking to make them perfect for the job at hand.

While every jeweler will have their own ways of modifying their tools, I wanted to cover a few of my personal favorites right here. So, enough with the waffle, let’s dive right in:

Pliers

Smooth out those edges

Using sandpaper to modify pliers for jewelry making

The easiest way to get your jewelry to a beautiful, smooth finish is not to make any marks in the first place. And pliers are one of those tools where if not used correctly, can very easily put bite marks in your work.

Of course, you should always be working mindfully with your pliers, but aside from that, the simplest thing you can do here to help avoid this, is use a little sandpaper to remove the sharp edges from the pliers.

You don’t need to remove a ton of metal here. Just make sure those corners are soft and rounded rather than sharp and angular.

Sandpaper in any form will work for this, and I'll usually use 240 grit followed by 600 grit.

Using a sandpaper disk to modify pliers for jewelry making

Increase the grip strength by shortening the length of the jaws

Shortening flat nose pliers for jewelry making

The grip strength of a pair of pliers increases the further into the jaws you go. And while sometimes you might need a pair of pliers with long slender jaws, I often find they offer very little benefit and simply get in the way. And so, one modification I have done to multiple pairs of pliers is to shorten the jaws.

To start with, I'll cut through the jaws with a 0.5mm Agilo reinforced cut off disk from OttoFrei, before smoothing the edges with sandpaper.

Cut Off Disks Use the code LWAY5
for a 5% discount on orders over $100

Jewelry making pliers

modified jewellery making pliers

Here you can see I have modified three pairs of pliers; round and flat nosed, half round and flat nosed and flat. And because these are cheap as chips pliers (each of these cost no more than $8), I can afford to have both an unmodified pair for when necessary, and a modified version which I end up using 80% of the time.

We have a full video as part of our brand-new Rings Within Rings class on exactly how to do this, thought you might enjoy this one while you're here!

Rings Within Rings A class on fabrication, soldering and finishing

Barrette Needle file

Avoid scratching or chipping stones by smoothing out the edges

Using sandpaper to modify a file for jewelry making

This is a file that I often use for shaping prongs after stone setting, which means the edge of the file is in contact with the surface of the stone.

I’ll start by saying I truly recommend using quality files in your work. Cheap pliers are a god send, but cheap files a nightmare. But even with high quality barrette needle files, there’s going to be a slight extension of the teeth over the edge of the file, and we really don’t want these to be catching our stone.

Watch the video below to see how I modify my barrette needle file.

Setting punches and hammer handpiece anvils

Bite marks created by using an unmodified punch can ruin a bezel pretty quickly. Let's get those rounded out!

Bezel setting with a foredom hammer handpiece

Generally, I'll make my own punches for bezel setting. However, Foredom handpiece anvils generally come with very sharp edges - so they gotta go.

With any stone setting tool though, I never bring them to a bright polished finish. I just make sure they’re smooth. I find a highly polished surface on a punch or rocker makes it much easier to slip with them when setting stones – which is something we really don’t want to do.

Watch the video below to see how I modify my Foredom hammer handpiece anvils.

Rubber wheels

Amazing tools, but if not used mindfully and kept in tip top shape, they can make a bigger mess than you started with in seconds!

Modifying a rubber wheel for jewelry making

I find for the most effective use, rubber wheels at least need to be dressed regularly to keep them to their intended shape. A knife-edge rubber wheel works best when it really is a knife edge, and a flat when it has that perfectly flat edge. So, if you find your rubber wheels are rounding out and losing that crisp definition, it’s quick and easy to fix with a diamond plate, or even a sandpaper stick.

Simply set them running, and hold them so that they run against a diamond plate for a few seconds. I use cheap diamond plates from Amazon that are designed for sharpening knives.

There are of course, tonnes of other ways you may want to modify your rubber wheels to suit the job at hand.

Modifying rubber wheels for jewelry making

Using a modified rubber wheel for making a prong setting

Using a rubber wheel for making a silver ring

I'd love to share with you all my tool modifications, but alas it's time to call and end to this post! You will however find tonnes of videos on this subject over at the Metalsmith Academy!

Before you go though, if you have a second, leave a comment below and let me know some of your favorite tool modifications!

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About The Author

Lucy Walker
Lucy Walker is the Founder of Lucy Walker Jewelry & the Metalsmith Academy, she’s a self-proclaimed crossfit box champ, dog mum, and wearer of a bunch of other hats. With over 17 years in the jewelry industry and 7 years empowering jewelry makers globally, Lucy has created world-class online training designed to take you from absolute beginner to jewelry-making pro! Whether you’re looking to build a business, or create beautiful pieces to wear and share with loved ones, Lucy has created the best community to help you do it.

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