Substitute everyday objects for costly jewelry-making tools

Buying jewelry tools is fun, right? Taking a new tool for a test drive is my favorite. And they can also take a chunk out of your budget.

Thinking waaaaay back, I remember that there was a fellow student in a jewelry class I took years ago who was also a machinist. His knowledge of tools beyond the jewelry world was invaluable and he would shake his head and chuckle at the prices we were paying. 

When it is worth it to splurge, and when it isn’t

You see, some jewelry tools are totally worth the price* and others, well, you don’t always need the fanciest tool to just get started.** Lots of tools can be repurposed from other uses. 

For instance, I have a hammer that was not originally made for jewelry use, but I liked the way the handle felt, it was at a thrift store, and I knew that a little elbow grease and polishing would turn it into a fine hammer for metalsmithing.

Sometimes you just need to know where and how to look for the alternatives.

Here is a short list of tools/supplies that I’ve found everyday replacements for:

Wax Kleen vs. Goo Gone

I love this wax solvent for polishing wax and removing scratches before casting. In fact, anyone in my wax carving classes has seen me use it and heard me go on about how valuable of a tool it is. And I love the orange scent of it. But you don’t have to spend $15-20 on a small cannister when you can just go to any hardware store and buy Goo Gone.

Yup, Goo Gone. That solvent that gets stickers off of glass and takes wax off of candle holders also works just like Wax Kleen. Now you’ll have Goo Gone for $4-6 and you’ll know it can do double duty.

File handles vs Corks

Sure, there are some files and tools where I might prefer the rounded firm wood handle that you have to hammer your file into, but for my needle files? I use wine corks. Please, PLEASE dry them out first, though. I’ve used wine corks on my needle files since 2005.

Reading glasses vs Opti visors

When you have the money to spring for the fancy Opti visors, do it. But until then, I have found that different strengths of reading glasses can also get the job done. Personally I still use reading glasses for soldering and some forging and use my Opti visors for setting and finishing along with safety goggles.

Sticky wax for stone setting/wax molding vs. Babybel Cheese Wax

Sure you could buy some moldable sticky wax OR you could keep and clean (please clean it!) the red wax from around those mini cheese wheels. 

Yes I’m serious. That red wax makes the perfect sticky wax and comes in a color that most jeweler’s wax producers don’t carry, so it adds color to your bench top.

How about you, have you found a tool that wasn’t made for jewelry-making but you made it work anyway? Drop your favorites in the comments!

* I did a Tool Talk about why my Lucas foot pedal for my flex shaft is an invaluable tool especially for stone setting. I also thought it was well-worth the money to upgrade my bench pin.

**I made another Tool Talk about why I still use the cheap wax pen.