FreeView

When you see this icon next to an AtTheBench Film or Project, this indicates that the film or project is available for FREE if you have registered on AtTheBench as a FreeView Subscriber

Note:- Fully paid subscribers automatically have access to all FreeView films.

Product Review – DermaGuard Cream

		Your hands are your number one tool so it pays to look after them. Every day we wash our hands and so the skin dries out. You need to replace the moisture using an oil or cream, but not every one can use the ‘normal’ hand creams. This is where Derma Guard comes in. DermaGuard is the ultimate truly hypoallergenic moisturising topical barrier lotion which guards the skin from the widest array of possibly harmful materials.

Your hands are your number one tool so it pays to look after them. Every day we wash our hands and so the skin dries out. You need to replace the moisture using an oil or cream, but not every one can use the ‘normal’ hand creams. This is where Derma Guard comes in.

DermaGuard is the ultimate truly hypoallergenic moisturising topical barrier lotion which guards the skin from the widest array of possibly harmful materials.

Product Reviews – AntiClastic Stakes

		Eid Longhi Anticlastic Stakes The definition of anticlastic is “having a curvature, at a given point and in a particular direction, that is of the opposite sign to the curvature at that point in a perpendicular direction”. “Cynthia Eid and Betty Helen Longhi,two of the foremost practitioners of shellforming have teamed up to design a stake that remedies shortcomings of all the homemade stakes they’d been using for years. These stakes needed to be hard enough to form any jewelry metal, even titanium, yet yielding enough not to mark silver.

Eid Longhi Anticlastic Stakes

The definition of anticlastic is “having a curvature, at a given point and in a particular direction, that is of the opposite sign to the curvature at that point in a perpendicular direction”.

“Cynthia Eid and Betty Helen Longhi,two of the foremost practitioners of shellforming have teamed up to design a stake that remedies shortcomings of all the homemade stakes they’d been using for years. These stakes needed to be hard enough to form any jewelry metal, even titanium, yet yielding enough not to mark silver.

Precious Metal Clay – Super Starter Kit Setting Stones

		In this second film, Helen O’Neill our PMC Master, shows you how to set stones,sand and drill your pendants ready to be fired. Everything you need to complete the pendants are supplied in the Super Starter Kit or you can purchase the components separately.

Precious Metal Clay – Super Starter Kit Pendant

		In this first film, Helen O’Neill our PMC Master, shows you how to make the pendants described in the booklet of the Super Starter Kit available from The PMC Studio Everything you need to complete the pendants are supplied in the Super Starter Kit or you can purchase the components separately.

Product Review – Thermo Gel

		In this film Andrew shows you just how good Thermo Gel is but please DO NOT try it for your self as it is very dangerous and could cause severe burns! Pioneer Thermo-Gel will significantly reduce the transfer of heat from the working area to surrounding localities. Ideal for working close to the settings, for intricate silver assembly and for protecting gemstones when soldering rings. Thermo-Gel does not dissipate heat, but isolates the working area, therefore soldering times and temperatures remain the same.

Precious Metal Clay – Super Starter Kit Introduction

		In this short film, Helen O’Neill our PMC Master, shows you the Super Starter Kit available from The PMC Studio The kit includes: 1 x PMC3 9g, 1 x Badger Balm, 1 x Tweezers, 2 x 1.5mm Spacers, 1 x Roller, 1 x Clayshaper, 1 x Paintbrush, 1 x Workmat with PMC sizing, 1 x Teflon sheet, 1 x Sanpaper, 1 x Rubber Block, 1 x Stainless Steel Brush, 1 x Torch, 1 x Torch Block, 1 x Metal Burnisher, 1 x Circle Cutter, 2 x Jump Rings, 1 x Necklace Cord, 1 x Mini Texture Mat, 3 x Fire Proof Gemstones, An easy to follow ‘Step by Step guide’ to creating a beautiful piece of jewellery using all of you kit contents.

Precious Metal Clay – Basic Starter Kit Introduction

		In this short film, Helen O’Neill our PMC Master, shows you the Basic Starter Kit available from The PMC Studio Starter Kit contents: 1 x PMC3 6.3g, 1 x Badger Balm, 1 x Paintbrush, 1 x PMC Workmat with sizing scales, 1 x Teflon sheet, 1 x Bits & Bobs Mould H1, 1 x Sandpaper, 1 x Basic Hand Drill, 2 x Jump Rings, 1 x Necklace cord, 1 x Kiln firing voucher. Unique to this kit is a step by step guide to making your first piece using everything in the kit. Once you have sculpted and created your piece send it to the PMC Studio by filling out the Kiln firing voucher and they will fire your piece and tumble polish it for you.

Tool Review – Foredom SR Series Pendant Drill FreeView

		Pendant motor/drill or flexi shaft – two different names for exactly the same tool. The question is – ‘Do I need one?’. The short answer is YES. This tool is so versatile. Buy the best you can afford and it won’t let you down and once you have purchased one, you will soon realise how you ever managed without one for so long. New Foredom SR Pendant Motor Complete with: Forward & reverse 1/6 hp motor, Foredom quick release cable, T30 quick release handpiece for use with 2.35mm burs, variable foot control, FREE 54 piece accessory kit with rotating bur stand.

Tool Review – Pepe Jumpring Maker

		This is the Pepe Jump Ring Maker complete with mandrels on a wood stand that enables you to make your own jump rings quickly and efficiently. To briefly explain how to produce Jump Rings using the Pepe Jump Ring Maker: Make a coil of wire on one of the jump ring mandrels using the keyless chuck mounted on a turning handle, remove the coil, lubricate the coil, mount the coil in the holding device with saw guide, and then using the handpiece collar and a flexshaft with a No. 30 style Foredom handpiece and one of the circular sawblades, cut the coil to produce jump rings. A pendant motor and a No. 30 type jacobs chuck handpiece are required and are sold separately.

This is the Pepe Jump Ring Maker complete with mandrels on a wood stand that enables you to make your own jump rings quickly and efficiently.

To briefly explain how to produce Jump Rings using the Pepe Jump Ring Maker:

Make a coil of wire on one of the jump ring mandrels using the keyless chuck mounted on a turning handle, remove the coil, lubricate the coil, mount the coil in the holding device with saw guide, and then using the handpiece collar and a flexshaft with a No. 30 style Foredom handpiece and one of the circular sawblades, cut the coil to produce jump rings.

A pendant motor and a No. 30 type jacobs chuck handpiece are required and are sold separately.

Knew Concepts Saw Frame Tool Review – FreeView

		Saw frame flex in the basic jewellers saw frame can contribute to blade breakage. With the advanced design of the Knew Concept Sawframe, saw frame flex is minimized, reducing sawblade breakage and maximizing sawblade life. The Knew Concepts Jewellers Precision Saw Frame is designed for maximum rigidity and comfort. The Knew Concepts saw frame is sold with detailed instructions for use, as securing and tensioning the sawblade is done differently than conventional saw frames.

Removing Tarnish from Silver – FreeView

		Guess whats coming back into fashion? Charm bracelets!! And the colour of metal? White!! So now you go rushing off to find that silver charm bracelet you had when you were younger or the one your Auntie gave you years ago only to find that the bracelet and all the charms have tarnished. Don’t worry, because with a little bit of effort you can remove the tarnish and have the bracelet shiney as new in five minutes flat. Andrew shows you how!

Meet the At The Bench ‘Apprentice’ – Kelly – Free View

		In this film you get to meet the first ever At The Bench “Apprentice”, Kelly. Over the next 12 months you will be able to join Kelly on her training journey, using a combination of specific films on At The Bench and hands on monthly tuition, with Andrew Berry on her route to becoming a jeweller. In this first film Kelly has her first interview with Andrew, where she chats about her past and at what stage she is at with her jewellery making.

Tool Review – Durston Dapping Set

		A high quality dapping set for the professional jeweler who demands the best This dapping set (or doming block and punches) is the Grand Daddy of dapping sets. This set is one of the most complete sets I have come across. It comes complete with 24 punches and a matching 65mm square dapping block with 26 full half-spheres. All of pieces fit into unique plastic carrying tray which helps in making sure you keep the complete set together. The best thing about it? Its British Made.

Tool Review – Hand Held Butane Torch

		This style of torch is useful for firing your Precious Metal Clay creations or for soldering of small silver and gold projects. The torches are available from most good jewellery suppliers with prices starting at around £20 for this basic model. The torch is lit using the Piezo Electronic instant ignition and has a fine flame adjustment. A base is supplied with them also to enable the torch to be used ‘hands free’. The flame reaches 1300ºC and approximate working time of 25 minutes on a full tank. Andrew also shows you the method on how to fill up the torch with butane lighter fuel.

Tool Review – Anvil and Bench Peg

		The Bench Peg and Anvil set comprises of an anvil made from metal, and a wooden bench peg. The ideal tool for those who don’t have a Jewellers Bench. The Peg is secured to the bench with a G Clamp, with the ‘slanted’ surface uppermost. The top of the clamp has a flat smooth surface which is used as the Anvil – hence ‘Bench Peg & Anvil’.

The Bench Peg and Anvil set comprises of an anvil made from metal, and a wooden bench peg.

The ideal tool for those who don’t have a Jewellers Bench. The Peg is secured to the bench with a G Clamp, with the ‘slanted’ surface uppermost. The top of the clamp has a flat smooth surface which is used as the Anvil – hence ‘Bench Peg & Anvil’.

Equipment Review – Blue Peg Craft Bench

		The Blue Peg Craft Bench is an innovative idea designed by a Master Model Maker for the discerning craft person. The bench folds away to make the best use of space and can, therefore, be used virtually in any room in the house, studio, workshop or school. Being foldable also makes it easily transportable to craft fairs. The bench top can also be fitted to a workmate. The Blue Peg Craft Bench is supplied flat packed and is very easy to assemble being held together by 6 bolts which are supplied.

Lampworking – Recovering an Irregular Bead

		AtTheBench Maker – Ray Skene. Lampwork artist In this Free View film, Ray demonstrates how to recover an irregular bead. Every month you will see Ray demonstrate his techniques on Lampwork from the initial bench layout to the most intricate of techniques. This is a facinating insight into what makes a Lampwork artist as well as his key skills in bead making and glass sculptures.

AtTheBench Maker – Ray Skene. Lampwork artist

In this Free View film, Ray demonstrates how to recover an irregular bead.

Every month you will see Ray demonstrate his techniques on Lampwork from the initial bench layout to the most intricate of techniques.

This is a facinating insight into what makes a Lampwork artist as well as his key skills in bead making and glass sculptures.

Lampworking – Making a Spider

AtTheBench Maker – Ray Skene. Lampwork artist

In this Free View film, Ray demonstrates how he makes a glass spider.

Every month you will see Ray demonstrate his techniques on Lampwork from the initial bench layout to the most intricate of techniques. This is a facinating insight into what makes a Lampwork artist as well as his key skills in bead making and glass sculptures.

Tips N Tricks – Tip Top Tools

		Everyday we sit down at our bench and pick up the tools in front of us without a though as to the condition of them. Why not, at the end of each day, just spend ten minutes looking at the condition of your most used hand tools and check to see if they are in tip top condition. Do the points of your tweezers meet perfectly? Have you had a propblem with the jaws of your pliers marking the surface of a piece you were working on?

Lampwork – Raked Bead with Clear Encasing

		AtTheBench Maker – Ray Skene. Lampwork artist In this film, Rays shows us how create a rake design wth a clear encasing. Every month you will see Ray demonstrate his techniques on Lampwork from the initial bench layout to the most intricate of techniques. This is a facinating insight into what makes a Lampwork artist as well as his key skills in bead making and glass sculptures

Stone Setting – Flush Setting

With wedding rings being worn all day, every day, you dont want any claws holding a stone in place.

Andrew Berry shows you how to set a diamond flush with the surface of the ring. There are no claws to catch nor wear off and so the diamond wont fall out. You do need accuracy in your drilling and the use of stone setting burrs a you only have a tiny amount of gold to ease over the stone.

Downloadable Project – Silver Loose Twist Ring

Downloadable Project – Silver Loose Twist Ring
Just by utilising a few tools and a basic twisting technique, we are able to produce this stunning silver twist ring..

To make the twists large, we have used a wide piece of rectangular section wire. To stop the twists digging into your finger, we have filed away at the back.

Click below to download the FREE PDF.

Download your Project here

Lampwork – Hollow Bead with Reduction Glass Decoration

AtTheBench Maker – Ray Skene. Lampwork artist

In this film, Rays show us how to make a hollow bead and decorate it with reduction glass decoration.
Every month you will see Ray demonstrate his techniques on Lampwork from the initial bench layout to the most intricate of techniques. This is a facinating insight into what makes a Lampwork artist as well as his key skills in bead making and glass sculptures.

Lampwork – Tour of the Bench

AtTheBench Maker – Ray Skene. Lampwork artist

Every month you will see Ray demonstrate his techniques on Lampwork from the initial bench layout to the most intricate of techniques. This is a facinating insight into what makes a Lampwork artist as well as his key skills in bead making and glass sculptures

Cookson Gold’s Student Starter Tool Box

Are you wondering what tools and equipment to buy when you want to start making jewellery?

Andrew Berry shows you Cookson Gold’s student tool kit. Andrew goes through the box and shows and desribes what each tool is used for. You are likely to want to expand on this list of tools and so the sturdy tool box will come in handy to store them in.

Techniques – Soldering Part 1

In this 4 part series on Soldering Andrew Berry shows you the equipment needed and the techniques involved to make successful solder joints.

In this first part of the series, Andrew shows you the type of torches he uses, the Sievert and the Smiths Little Torch. He then goes on to describe the solders an fluxes available. Then its onto surface preparation and this is were so many people go wrong. Cleanliness of a joint is paramount!