Bench Tips and Tricks

Tips and tricks – Let’s think about how we work with tools to make art, and discover small changes that can make the work go much faster and be stress-free.  David has been teaching at Metalwerx since the very beginning.  Although he’s been a jeweler for more than three decades, he still enjoys taking classes from different masters to see how they work. 

“It’s amazing how many ways there are to do one thing.  It’s true -- Ask 6 jewelers how to do a bench task and you’ll get 9 answers.   Over the years I’ve learned many different tricks to make working at the bench much easier.  Even still, I’m always looking for a faster, easier, better way! “ – David Baird

This workshop is all about better methods to hold our work for all types of tasks, make soldering trouble-free, and when you might want to use a different bur or tool for a job.  David will share ways to modify tools so they work better for you and even show low-cost household items everyone should have at their bench.   There will be demos on different ways to do the same or similar tasks, and why one might work better suited for you.  Of course, the class will spend time altering and making some tools.

So often we have learned how to do something such as create a bezel -- it worked fine, it’s in our memory, so we repeat the process without thinking. This class will open up student’s minds to new ways of approaching common tasks.  Come and ask questions, bring problem pieces, and explore different ways to work through the fabrication process.