Basic Tool Recommendations for Virtual Courses

To participate in our virtual courses, please reference the basic tool setups recommended to complete course objectives. These tool recommendations are primarily from Rio Grande, but comparable items would work. Please contact us with any specific questions. Student participation during or in-between class sessions is strongly encouraged but not required - observers are welcome.

BASIC HAND TOOLS

• 1 x round, chain, flat nose pliers, and snips (Rio Grande)
• 1 x jewelers saw (Rio Grande)
• 1 x pack saw blades - 2/0 (Rio Grande)
• 1 x burlife or bee's wax (Rio Grande)
• 1 x bench pin (Rio Grande)
• 1 x half round hand file - #2 cut (Rio Grande)

BASIC HOME STUDIO

• All of BASIC HAND TOOLS
• 1 x rotary tool - flex shaft, micro motor, etc. (Rio Grande)
• 1 x set of needle files - #2 or #4 cut (Rio Grande)
• 1 x half round forming pliers (Rio Grande)
• 1 x center punch (Rio Grande) 
• 1 x scribe (Rio Grande)
• 1 x ring clamp (Rio Grande)
• 1 x rawhide or plastic mallet (Rio Grande)
• 1 x riveting or chasing hammer (Rio Grande)
• 1 x steel block or steel surface (Rio Grande)
• 1 x small steel ruler (Rio Grande)
• 1 x sheet of sand paper - 220 to 600 grits (Amazon)
  • 1 x calipers - optional / nice to have (Amazon)
  • 1 x dividers - optional / nice to have (Rio Grande)
  • 1 x sanding sticks - optional / nice to have (Rio Grande)
  • 1 x parallel pliers - optional / nice to have (Rio Grande)

BASIC TORCH SETUP

• 1 x fireproof torch area - steel baking sheet will work (Amazon)
• 1 x Solderite™ pad or fire bricks (Rio Grande)
• 1 x compressed charcoal block (Rio Grande)
• 1 x torch - Smith mini, Silversmith, or butane (Rio Grande or Rio Grande)
• 1 x #0 or #1 torch tip - if getting Silversmith (Rio Grande)
• 1 x soldering tweezers (Rio Grande)
• 1 x soldering pick (Rio Grande)
• 1 x 3rd arm (Rio Grande)
• 1 x paste flux (Rio Grande)
• 1 x copper tongs - for pickle (Rio Grande)
• silver solder - hard, medium, easy (Rio Grande)
• pickle - for non-ferrous metals (Rio Grande)
• crock pot or tempered glass container with lid - for pickle (Amazon)
• tempered glass container or sink - for quenching and rinsing
• small brush - for flux

BASIC ENAMELING SETUP WITH KILN

• 1 x fireproof area - steel sheet, tiles, etc. (Amazon or Home Depot)
• 1 x kiln - mini or full size (Rio Grande or Rio Grande)
• 1 x sifter set - 80, 100, 150 mesh (Rio Grande or Enamel Warehouse)
• 1 x steel screen - for your kiln size  (Rio Grande or Enamel Warehouse)
• 1 x steel trivet - for your kiln size (Rio Grande or Enamel Warehouse)
• 1 x firing fork/spatula (Rio Grande or Enamel Warehouse)
• 1 x tongs or tweezers - for moving hot objects (Rio Grande)
• 1 x crockpot or lidded glass container - for pickle (Amazon)
• 1 x pickle - sodium bisulfate or citric acid (Rio Grande or Amazon)
• 1 x copper tongs - for pickle (Rio Grande)
• sink or large tub of water - for cleaning enamel

BASIC ENAMELING SETUP WITH TORCH

• All of BASIC ENAMELING SETUP WITH KILN - minus kiln
• 1 x torch setup - Silversmith or similar style  (Rio Grande)
• 1 x #0 or #1 torch tip - if using Silversmith (Rio Grande)
• 1 x striker or lighter - Silversmith setup comes with 1 (Rio Grande)
• 1 x tripod with screen (Rio Grande)