Fundamentals of Metalworking Tools

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of dividers in measurements?

To straighten out thick wire

To make the same measurements multiple times (correct)

To measure ring sizes

To cut through metal sheets

Which tool is specifically used for measuring ring sizes?

Half-Round Pliers

Tube Cutter

Ring Mandrel (correct)

Saw Frame

What is the purpose of snips in metalworking?

To cut solder strips and thin metal sheets (correct)

To measure diameter and lengths

To hold tubing for making accurate cuts

To cut through very thick metal only

How do tapered flat pliers differ from parallel pliers?

They have a blunt pointed end for closing small items Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of a tube cutter?

It allows for cutting pieces of tubing to equal lengths Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary use of a saw frame?

To cut metal sheets and wire Signup and view all the answers

Which pliers would be most suitable for bending wire without leaving marks?

Half-Round and Round/Flat Pliers Signup and view all the answers

What is a common use of a ring sizer?

To measure fingers for custom rings Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of a dapping block in metal shaping?

To form round metal discs into domes Signup and view all the answers

Which tool is primarily used to hold different size drill bits in hand drills?

Chuck Signup and view all the answers

What is a mandrel used for in metal shaping?

To provide a tapered former for shaping metal Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of links and joints in jewelry making?

To allow for movement and wearability of items Signup and view all the answers

What material is a dapping block typically made from?

Brass or metal Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following tools is designed to create cone shapes for setting faceted stones?

Bezel-Forming punches and blocks Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant benefit of creating practice pieces in jewelry making?

To perfect the final design and correct flaws Signup and view all the answers

Which tool would you use to shape metal with semicircular lengths?

Swage Block Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary use of a flat file?

To file flat surfaces and edges. Signup and view all the answers

Which polishing tool requires liquid soap for operation?

Polishing Wheel Signup and view all the answers

What type of file is best suited for filing around the top edges of bezels?

Triangular File Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct purpose of a burnisher?

To give a high shine to metal edges. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of polishing bar is used for the final polishing stage?

Rouge Polish Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the lambswool buffing wheel?

It is very soft and used for the last coat of polish. Signup and view all the answers

Which holding tool is specifically designed to hold rings without damaging them?

Ring Clamps Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of a soldering stand?

To serve as a base for soldering tools. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of a clasp in jewellery design?

To secure neckpieces and bracelets to prevent them from falling off Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key characteristic of rivet linkage in jewellery construction?

It includes drilled holes for alignment when attaching pieces Signup and view all the answers

What is a common disadvantage of using mass-produced catches in custom jewellery?

They can diminish the overall design of the piece Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT a consideration when designing a clasp for jewellery?

Designing the clasp to be overly intricate Signup and view all the answers

What separates a rivet linkage from other types of joints in jewellery making?

It allows for a degree of movement between connected pieces Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the primary concerns for a goldsmith when designing a clasp?

It should be easily adjustable and functional Signup and view all the answers

What type of catch is most commonly used for chains and bracelets?

Spring rings and box catches Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect is of least importance in the design of a clasp?

It needs to be produced with minimal skill Signup and view all the answers

Which cut is known for maximizing the dispersion of light?

Princess Brilliant Cut Signup and view all the answers

What distinctive shape does the Pear Brilliant Cut resemble?

Teardrop Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following cuts is the second most popular behind the Round Brilliant Cut?

Princess Brilliant Cut Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic feature of the Marquise Brilliant Cut?

Symmetrical endpoints Signup and view all the answers

Which cut combines both brilliant and step facets?

Mixed Cut Signup and view all the answers

What essential quality is crucial for the Trillion Brilliant Cut to maximize light dispersion?

Angle and proportion Signup and view all the answers

The Oval Brilliant Cut was created in which decade?

1950s Signup and view all the answers

Which cut is intrinsically associated with love and romance?

Heart Brilliant Cut Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Dividers

A pair of dividers are used for marking wire for cutting to equal lengths
They can be used for measuring diameters and lengths accurately
They can also be used to draw parallel lines on metal

Ring Mandrel

Used to measure ring sizes
Usually made of aluminium
Sizes are marked A-Z to correspond with ring sizers

Ring Sizers

A set of rings marked from A-Z
Used to measure fingers to determine ring sizes

Saw Frame

Used with a saw blade for cutting metal sheet, wire, and tubing
A 6 inch wide saw frame is good for cutting wider pieces of sheet metal

Saw Blades

Come in different sizes
Used for cutting different thicknesses of metal

Snips

Used for cutting solder strips, thin metal sheets, and wire

Tube Cutter

A small handheld tool used to hold tubing
Has an adjustment that allows the user to cut off pieces of equal lengths

Round-Nose Pliers

Used for making individual circles or jump rings
The wire is held between the two ends and wrapped all the way around then cut, creating a circle

Parallel Pliers

Used for straightening out metal sheet and thick wire
Used for holding pieces of metal level for filing
Used for closing thick rings
Come in flat and round versions

Tapered Flat Pliers

Have a flat inside face and taper to a blunt pointed end
Used to close awkward or small jump rings
Used to hold other small items

Half-Round and Round/Flat Pliers

Used for bending wire and metal sheet into a circle without leaving marks
The flat side is held against the outside of the curve and the round side is used to make the curve on the inside

Flat-Nose Pliers

Come in a range of sizes
Used to bend sharp corners in wire and metal sheet
Used for holding items flat and straightening wire
Used for closing jump rings

Flat File

Used to file flat surfaces
Used for filing the edges and outside curves
Used for filing between joints about to be soldered

Half-Round File

Used for filing inside curves and edges

Triangular File

Used for filing around the top edges of bezels
Used for filing grooves for right angles
Used for filing other difficult edges

Square File

Used for making right angles true
Used for filling inside areas

Knife

Has one thick edge and one thinner edge
Used for getting in between small areas

Polishing Wheel

An electric motor with a horizontal shaft
Polishing mops and brushes can be screwed onto the shaft
Polish or liquid soap can be applied to the mops and brushes
Requires extraction in the workspace because polish can be dirty and create a lot of dust

Buffing Wheel

A round buffing wheel made from calico
Comes in different widths
Is screwed onto the shaft of the polishing wheel
Charged with the appropriate polish

Stainless Steel Wheel

Has lots of fine blunt steel pins
Gives a satin look to the metal surface
No polish is required

Lambswool Buffing Wheel

A soft mop used with the last coat of rouge polish

Wet & Dry Papers

Come in varying degrees of abrasiveness
Used for sanding metal

Burnisher

A polished stainless steel tool
Rubbed firmly against metal edges to give a high shine

Tripoli Bar

A brown bar used as the first polish

Green Bar

A green bar used as a general purpose polish

White Diamond

A white bar used to give a high polish

Rouge Polish

Rouge polish is used for the final polishing

Bench Vise

There are 2 types
One is small, able to turn in all directions and has safe plastic jaws
The other is heavy-duty and used to hold stakes, mandrels and draw plates
Both types should be permanently fixed to the bench

Ring Clamps

Wooden handheld clamps with leather pads
Used to hold rings safely without damaging the shanks while stone setting

Soldering Stand

The base for a soldering area
Should be a steel plate
A revolving soldering stand is placed on a steel base

Flex Shaft Motor

Attached above the workbench
Has a flexible driveshaft
Different tools can be fixed onto the driveshaft, making it a versatile tool
Tools include small drills, abrasive cutters, grindstones, polishing wheels, felt brushes and muslin mops

Stakes

Shaped metal formers used by silversmiths
Used to raise and forge metal sheets when making vessels

Dapping Block

A brass or metal cube with different-sized half-spheres moulded into each side
Used to form round metal discs into domes

Dapping Punches

Shaped to fit into each different size of half-sphere in the dapping block
Can be made of wood or steel
Placed on top of the metal disc and hit with a hammer or mallet to form the dome

Swage Block

A metal block with semicircular lengths moulded through both sides
The handles from wooden or metal dapping punches are used to shape the metal

Mandrel

A tapered steel or wooden former that is used to shape the metal
Can be round, oval, square, teardrop, or hexagonal in cross section

Bezel-Forming Punches and Blocks

Similar to dapping blocks and punches
Used to form a cone shape for gemstone setting
Can be round, oval, rectangular, square, hexagonal, and other shapes

Links and Joints

Enable jewellery to move and be worn on clothing or the body
They allow jewellery items to move in one or more directions
They can be both functional and decorative
Should be strong enough to withstand the stress of daily wear

Colleted Linkage

A simple system for joining stone settings of various shapes
A U-shaped wire is passed through collets
It is suitable for joining settings of various shapes
Only allows for horizontal flexibility

Rivet Linkage

Used when pieces of jewellery are not to be soldered
The two pieces to be joined have holes drilled in them that are aligned
A metal rod is passed through the holes, joining the two pieces together
Can be restrictive unless some spacing is incorporated into the joint

Clasps

Secure neckpieces and bracelets so they do not fall off the wearer
Should be integral to the design of the piece
The catch should be unobtrusive or be a decorative element
Should be easy for the wearer to operate
Design should be simple and adjustable

Spring Rings and Box Catches

The most common closures used for chains and bracelets
Often used without consideration to how they fit into the overall design
Making catches requires a high level of skill but the awards make the effort worthwhile

Brilliant Cuts

Comprises of triangular and kite-shaped facets
Examples include round brilliant, oval brilliant, pear brilliant, marquise brilliant, princess brilliant, trillion brilliant, and heart brilliant cuts

Step Cuts

Comprises of parallel running facets in steps
Examples include square baguette, rectangular baguette, triangular baguette, tapered baguette, square emerald cut, and rectangular emerald cut

Mixed Cuts

Comprises both brilliant cut facets and step cut facets

Round Brilliant Cut

The reigning most popular cut
Facets are cut to optimise the dispersion of light in a stone
Once exclusively for diamonds

Oval Brilliant Cut

Created in the late 1950s
Offers the brilliance and fire of round cut gemstones in a more unique shape
The elongated silhouette creates the illusion of a larger gemstone

Pear Brilliant Cut

Resembles a teardrop
Reflects light beautifully
Allows color to showcase dramatically
Symmetry is extremely important
Requires a six-prong setting to offer support

Marquise Brilliant Cut

Also known as the navette cut
Cut to reflect the most light and offer maximum sparkle and depth of color
Perfect symmetry is essential to ensure the stone sits properly in the setting to minimize chipping or breakage

Princess Brilliant Cut

The second most popular cut behind the round brilliant
A range of facets is acceptable
Creates excellent sparkle
The square attributes of a princess cut mean the gem retains more of its rough in the cutting process

Trillion Brilliant Cut

Triangular in shape
Maximizes brilliance and gemstone color
Symmetry, angles, and proportions are crucial for dispersing light
Cut shallow, so they tend to appear larger than their weight implies

Heart Brilliant Cut

Intrinsically linked to love and romance
Naturally lends itself to sentimental pieces of jewellery, such as engagement rings

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Description

Explore the essential tools used in metalworking, including dividers, ring mandrels, and tube cutters. This quiz covers their functions and applications in cutting and measuring metal accurately. Test your knowledge on these vital tools and their usage in crafting and fabrication.