Metalsmithing for Lampworkers — an Online Tutorial

Lesson One — Introduction

Metalsmithing is an ancient art; most of the basic tools and processes involved have been known and used for over five thousand years. Hopefully this tutorial will serve as an introduction to those looking for a place to start. This tutorial is a work in progress, being written for my friend who taught me through e-mail to make glass beads. I don't claim to be an expert at metalworking...but I do promise to give beginners a place to begin.

The first thing you will need to do is invest in some tools. I confess that I'm not really an artist, I'm actually a tool junkie. Metal working provides me with an excuse to collect and play with some of the most beautiful tools ever invented.

I will not pretend to write an exhaustive tutorial, you will need (want?) to purchase the book Jewelry, Fundamentals of Metalsmithing by Tim McCreight. You will also need to purchase some tools. The following list will just barely get you started.

Basic Metalworking Tools (available from Rio Grande) (NOTE: page number are for the 2002 catalogue)

#110-068 Economy Saw Frame $8.85 (p179)
#110-308 x3 Laser Gold Saw Blades $3.25 (doz.) (p177)
   (get 3 packages, beginners break lots of blades)
#114-314 Half Round File size #0 $17.60 (p188)
#114-315 Half Round File size #3 $19.70 (p188)
#114-849 x2 File Handles $1.95 ea. (p193)
#117-003 Bur Life $3.95 (p176)
#118-116 Center Punch $5.50 (p251)
#112-215 Rawhide Mallet $12.95 (p218)
#112-230 Chasing Hammer $13.95 (p217)
#112-147 Riveting Hammer $12.95 (p217)
#110-014 Bench Pin and Anvil $12.50 (p119)
#115-051 cross-lock tweezers $4.50 (p301)
#501-017 9" copper tongs $5.75 (p303)
#501-023 pickle $4.95 (p333)
#504-083 flux $6.25 (p327)

Other Tools and Supplies (available from your local hardware store)

• Small metal ruler (metric and inches)
• Regular claw hammer
• Variable speed Dremmel drill (or flex shaft) for drilling and polishing
• Set of tiny drill bits (available at craft/hobby stores)
• Silicon Carbide sandpaper in various grits
• Sharpie permanent marker
• Rubber cement, white glue
• Chamois cloth
• Paint sticks
• Spray bottle with ammonia solution
• plastic film can
• box of baking soda
• old crock pot

This is the barest of necessities. There's much more you will need eventually, but this will get you started. This list doesn't include soldering torches and tools, but you can do a lot of fabricating without soldering.

Raw Materials

#130-120 6"x12" 20 gauge Brass Sheet (dead soft)
#100-320 2-3 feet 20 gauge Sterling Round Wire (dead soft)

We will practice using brass, heartier souls may substitute silver in either 20 gauge or 24 gauge silver sheet.