The Video Bank

Part One
Channel setting is a method whereby stones are suspended between two bars or strips of metal, called channels. The channel has two sides and a bottom. The sides are made just a bit narrower than the width of the stone or stones to be set, and then, using the same burs as in claw setting, a small notch is cut into each wall. And that is where the similarities end between ‘real’ channel setting and ‘false’ channel setting.

Andrew shows you a technique that requires a good eye and skill level. This setting technique looks the same but the process required to fasten the stone in place is completely different. Intrigued? Then watch the three films in the series and find out what he means.

Hallmarking is an ancient method of safeguarding consumers and those trading in jewellery and precious metal.

In these two films, Andrew walks you through what is needed for you to be able to register your own Makers Mark so you can have your items hallmarked by one of the four Assay Offices in Great Britain.

Andrew encourages every At The Bench member to email him with video requests. These can be requests for product reviews, help with techniques or even showing new techniques not seem before on AtTheBench.com.

In this film, Andrew responds to a request on adjustable ingot molds. Are they worth the extra money? Do you just pour molten metal straight into it? What shapes can you get from the mold? How do you melt down silver to pour into the mold? The tool catalogues don’t answer these questions so make an informed purchase with the help of Andrew’s two part film.

Raw hide mallets, Collet hammers, Creasing hammers, ball pein hammers, cross pein hammers, repousse hammers, plastic faced mallets.

There are loads and loads of hammers to choose from in the tool catalogues but which one do you choose for a particular job. Is there a ‘one hammer fits all’? Andrew takes you through a ‘tour’ of his hammers he uses on a day to day basis. Recently there has been an increase in texturing hammers too. Andrew has several to show you.

Hallmarking is an ancient method of safeguarding consumers and those trading in jewellery and precious metal.

In these two films, Andrew walks you through what is needed for you to be able to register your own Makers Mark so you can have your items hallmarked by one of the four Assay Offices in Great Britain.

Andrew encourages every At The Bench member to email him with video requests. These can be requests for product reviews, help with techniques or even showing new techniques not seem before on AtTheBench.com.

In this film, Andrew responds to a request on adjustable ingot molds. Are they worth the extra money? Do you just pour molten metal straight into it? What shapes can you get from the mold? How do you melt down silver to pour into the mold? The tool catalogues don’t answer these questions so make an informed purchase with the help of Andrew’s two part film.

With the price of precious metals at around an all time high, gold doubling its value since 2006 it make sense to look after every scrap.

In this film, Andrew looks at ways to collect your cut off pieces, filings, sanding papers and polishing dust. How should you collect it all? Should it be collected in one large bag? What should I keep and what can I throw away? All these questions and more are answered in this film.

Part Four
Rings are subjected to an awful lot of wear and tear during their lives. Cheap rings are often discarded but others, perhaps expensive or ones with sentimental value, are often ‘recycled’.

In this series of films, one of Andrews employees had become bored with the setting of her diamond solitaire ring. In fact we altered it 4 years ago. Mary had chosen a new style of setting, one a bit more modern, and it it was down to Andrew to ‘off with her head’ and solder on a new one.

Part Three
Etching is the process of using a corrosive solution and a resist to create shallow markings in the silver. Traditionally Nitric acid was used but this acid is not readily available to the hobbyist so the best solution after the acid is Ferric Nitrate. This is available as salts and is mixed with distilled water.

There are several methods to make a resist, to stop the Ferric Nitrate etching away the silver. In this film, Andrew looks at using a PCB etch resist pen and shows that you don’t have to be good at drawing to make visually stunning patterns. Andrew uses a silver ring as the basis for his design.

The EZ Torch
This torch kit is a step up from the hand held butane torches as this torch requires Propane, either in a refilable bottle or a disposable tank. The EZ torch is a lightweight manoeuvrable propane soldering torch excellent for soldering or annealing on precious metals. The EZ torch is unique as it draws in oxygen from the surrounding air through the air inlet valve which can be adjusted to control the amount of oxygen in the flame.