Students Ellen and Krisztina watch Ann demonstrate flex shaft techniques

Level: All Skill Levels
Requirements: Basic Metalsmithing Skills
Program: Spring
Status: Open
Length: 3 Days
Tuition: $ 450
Only $ 427.5 for registration before 11 May 2010
Materials: $ 130
Date: June 11, 2010 - June 13, 2010
Time: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Location: Metalwerx

The final finish on any piece is the last step and sometimes the last priority! Finish work can present some of the biggest challenges and greatest frustrations in realizing the full potential of any design.

In this class we will focus on tried and true techniques for finishing a variety of shapes and surfaces, employing hand tools, the flex shaft, and other equipment. Some procedures include refreshing a polish after a stone setting, polishing a textured surface, addressing flat surfaces vs. curved surfaces and small areas, when it's appropriate to use a rotary tool as well as how to achieve a high polish without machinery.

This workshop will give students a comprehensive working knowledge of finishing they can apply to their own work. We will round out the weekend with examination and diagnosis of the finishing problems that might me hiding in your bench. This is a great opportunity to increase your skill set and get to the final finish.

For a complete document on polishing, read more:

Materials & Tools

A materials kit jam packed with all the tools you need to reach a perfect finish will be provided on the first day of class. It costs $130 and is payable when signing up. It includes Ann's favorite tools for your flex shaft, polishing machine, and manual use.

This materials kit takes a lot of time to order and assemble. Students should sign up at least two weeks in advance to make sure that Metalwerx has time to get all the supplies included below:

• 3M finishing Films in various grits and lathe to make sanding sticks
• Advantege Poishing KIT
• Pumice Wheels
• Various buffs in asst. sizes
• Screw & point mandrels
• Tapered split spindle & Flexshaft slotted mandrel
• Chunking brush
• Black nylon bristle wheels and end brushes
• Brass hand brush
• Dressing Stone
• Sterling silver sheet, copper sheet, and 1/2 round ring blank to practice on

Students Should Bring:

• Dust mask
• Optivisor and/or loupe (note: drug store reading glasses work in a pinch)
• Safety glasses or face shield
• Apron
• Notebook