Tool Recommendations

We get a lot of questions about what tools to buy when people are starting to make jewelry or want to set-up a home studio. When you're ready to make an investment, here are some of our recommendations.

If you are just starting out, as you continue to learn new skills, you will probably find there are more wonderful tools you want to purchase so you can do more in your studio.  We suggest purchasing those "big-ticket" items once you know you like them. Make informed investments and when you have questions, we’re happy to help make recommendations…because we love tools too!

Quality vs Cost:

There is a wide range of quality and cost when purchasing tools.  What you choose will really depend on your budget.  When possible, buy once and buy well.  Item numbers provided are mostly mid-range in quality. The key is -- Don’t forget that you get what you pay for. If something is very cheap, it may not be well made.

Setting up a Home Studio or Getting Started with Jewelry Making

The following items reference several different types of basic tool setups we recommended. Tool recommendations are primarily from Rio Grande, but comparable items would work. Please contact us with any specific questions. 

If you are enrolled in a virtual course, we specify what type of set-up is needed in the class description. Please note that in all virtual classes, student participation during or in-between class sessions is strongly encouraged but not required - observers are welcome.

Basic Hand Tools

• 1 x round nose pliers (Rio Grande)

• 1 x chain nose pliers (Rio Grande)

• 1 x flat nose pliers (Rio Grande)

• 1 x snips / flush cutters (Rio Grande)

• 1 x jewelers saw (Rio Grande)

• 1 x pack saw blades - 2/0 (Rio Grande)

• 1 x burlife / 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 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 / plastic mallet (Rio Grande)

• 1 x riveting hammer (Rio Grande)

• 1 x chasing hammer (Rio Grande)

• 1 x steel block / 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 Forming Tools

 

• 1 x planishing hammer (Rio Grande)

• 1 x ball peen hammer (Rio Grande)

• 1 x brass hammer (Rio Grande)

• 1 x ring mandrel (Rio Grande)

• 1 x bezel mandrel - 1mm to 5mm (Rio Grande)

• 1 x bracelet mandrel (Rio Grande)

• 1 x dapping set - steel or wood (Rio Grande or Rio Grande)

 

Basic Soldering/Torch Set-up

 

• 1 x fireproof area - steel sheet, tiles, etc. (Amazon or Home Depot)

• 1 x Solderite™ pad / pan with pumice (Rio Grande or Rio Grande)

• 1 x compressed charcoal block - hard (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 striker or lighter - Silversmith system has one (Rio Grande)

• 1 x soldering tweezers (Rio Grande)

• 1 x soldering pick (Rio Grande)

• 1 x 3rd arm (Rio Grande)

• 1 x cross lock tweezers (Rio Grande)

• 1 x paste flux (Rio Grande)

• 1 x copper tongs - for pickle (Rio Grande)

• 1 x 6” silver solder - hard (Rio Grande)

• 1 x 6” silver solder - medium (Rio Grande)

• 1 x 6” silver solder - easy (Rio Grande)

• 1 x pickle - sodium bisulfate or citric acid (Rio Grande or Amazon)

• 1 x brass bristle brush (Rio Grande)

• 1 x crock pot or lidded glass container (Rio Grande or Amazon)

• 1 x tempered glass container or sink - for quenching and rinsing

• 1 x small brush - for flux

• 1 x liquid hand soap - for cleaning metal

If you are uncertain how to choose a torch that best suits your needs, below are three videos from Rio Grande that can help you answer questions and pick a torch system that works for you. 

• FAQs About Begining Torch Soldering

• How To Choose The Right Torch for Jewelry Making

• Butane Torch Overview

 

Basic Enameling Set-up (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 - 60, 100, 150 mesh (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 Set-up (with Torch)

 

• All of BASIC ENAMELING SETUP WITH KILN - minus kiln

• 1 x torch setup - Silversmith or similar style  (Rio Grande)

• 1 x #1 or #2 torch tip - if using Silversmith (Rio Grande)

• 1 x striker or lighter - Silversmith system has one (Rio Grande)

• 1 x tripod or fire bricks with screen (Rio Grande)