jewellery tools

[TMC]

Hi all

Son's partner is looking for a starter set of jewellers pliers

any recommendations as to brand price and suppliers?

Regards

[Andy Dingley]

No. Keep your eyes open instead and get what looks good, as and when you spot it.

I've a set of Aldi yellow soft plastic handled small pliers racked over my bench which have seen an awful lot of use over the last two years for electronics and are well impressive (stupidly cheap too).

The jewellery set are Britool, bought when our local real tool shop was having a clear-out for cheap. For wirework I use a couple of pairs of Draper that have really nicely shaped round jaws - for once they actually meet properly, so that the inner jaw is parallel and a wire's diameter apart. So don't be a snob over plier quality, the better cheapies can still do useful work for you. Box joints are of course "better", but you'll be using better lap joints in practice and there's nothing wrong with that.

Jewellery pliers (tools in general) should be kept away from electronics tools, as lead solder contamination is an issue on silverwork. Also damage to jaw faces, burrs etc, shows up on the face of soft silver later. So separate toolboxes are also a good idea. Likewise keep silversmithing away from warm glass, as silver stain (piss yellow) is a problem there.

For shops, Tiranti, Cooksons and Quicktest (and others) will be a source for many bits and pieces, but you don't have to pay full price for evey tool you own.

[Gordy]

Bought the wife these

in a nice case and work well Gordy

[Steve Firth]

There used to be an excellent supplier of jewellery tools and accessories in Stockport. I was struggling to remember the name of the company. It's Manchester Minerals.