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Spring Mechanisms
Springs can be used to add dramatic movement and satisfying functionality to jewelry and small-scale metalwork of all sorts. This technical workshop is designed to introduce students to spring-based mechanisms. Springs come in numerous shapes, dimensions, and materials, and can be used to make lids pop open, make catches easier to use and more secure, as well as to make mechanisms last longer. The instructor will illustrate the principles and functions of common spring type, and will demonstrate a variety of objects, both handmade and commercial, that utilize springs in informative ways. In the second half of the workshop, students will learn to make their own springs by creating a simple spring-loaded object out of brass sheet that employs three different types of springs and is made using basic hand tools and techniques.
For more information about virtual courses, visit our Virtual Course FAQ page.
Please read the Materials & Tools tab!
Meet the instructor
Nash Quinn is a metalsmith who works with a variety of materials, techniques, and formats. Originally from Wyoming, he received his BFA from the University of Wyoming, and his MFA from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. He was a faculty member at Rowan University and Munson Williams-Proctor Arts Institute, and has worked, taught, and exhibited artwork at craft schools and jewelry academies nationwide.
Materials & Tools
A $21 supply kit will be sent to the shipping address you have listed on your Metalwerx account. Kits will be mailed out by July 13th. If you register after this date, the kit can still be mailed to you, but may not arrive by the workshop start date. Please inform us if you reside outside of the US, as your shipping cost will differ and may need to be expedited. Kit includes the following items:
- 3"x3" x brass sheet - 16g or 18g
- 6" x brass wire - 18g (you will roll or hammer to 26g)
- 12" x spring-temper stainless steel wire - 26g
- 6 x 1-72 stainless steel machine screws - 1/2"
- 6 x 1-72 stainless steel machine hex nuts
- 1 x drill bit - #45
- 1 x drill bit - #52
- 1 x USPS flat rate shipping
The following supplies will be used for course demonstrations and objectives. A suggested item and/or vendor has been provided below for reference. Click the vendor name (in red) to be redirected to a page where you can find the item. The quantities needed for each item are listed first. If ordering, please be aware that some items may come in larger quantities than needed for this class. We recommend not opening an item's packaging until the day of the workshop. Student participation during or in-between class sessions is strongly encouraged but not required - observers are welcome.
Hand tools::
- 1 x round nose pliers (Rio Grande)
- 1 x chain nose pliers (Rio Grande)
- 1 x jewelers saw (Rio Grande)
- 1 x pack #2/0 saw blades (Rio Grande)
- 1 x bench pin (Rio Grande)
- 1 x half round hand file - #2 cut (Rio Grande)
- 1 x set of needle files - #2 cut (Rio Grande)
- 1 x center punch (Rio Grande)
- 1 x chasing or ball peen hammer (Rio Grande)
- 1 x rotary tool - flex shaft, drill press, etc. (Rio Grande)
- 1 x sheet of sand paper - 220 to 600 grits (Amazon)
- 1 x rolling mill or planishing / forging hammer (Rio Grande)
- 1 x steel block / steel surface (Rio Grande)
- 1 x dapping set or pre-dapped dome (Rio Grande)
- 1 x hardened side-cutters - for stainless steel (Rio Grande)
Other/miscellaneous items:
- hard work surface
- printer - to print template for spring mechanism
- rubber cement
- super glue
- dust mask
- safety glasses