No bench vise, no problem! Did you k now that your miter block can be used when making rivets as well? In fact it is actually quicker and easier to use your miter block instead of a vise! You miter block will fully support your wire on all sides and won't mare your wire like a vise would!
1) Gather your materials, for this trick you will need; a miter block, a riveting hammer, your desired riveting wire, and bench pin. Cut a piece of your riveting wire, you can make this wire longer than you need for an individual rivet, after you finish one rivet you can simply snip off the rivet and use the remaining wire to make the rest of your rivets!
2) First make sure sure your wire is flat and smooth where you will be making the rivet. If the end of your wire is crooked or dented from your snips than the rivet will be uneven. Crooked or dented at the end? No worries, use your miter block and a file to flatten the end of your wire!
3) Secure your riveting wire in the grove of your miter block. Most miter blocks have two diamond shaped groves, pick the grove that is appropriate for the diameter of your wire. Leave the wire protruding form the miter block no more than a 1/2 inch.
NOTE: If the wire is too tall it will easily bend as you begin hammering it, if the wire is too short you will more likely to accidentally hit your mite block with your hammer.
4) Place your miter block and wire on your bench pin and begin hammering!
Want to learn more tricks from renowned jewelry artist Monique Rancourt? Join us at Metalwerx on January 20th-21st for Layered Cuff Bracelets