Making a wire bending jig tool for basic stone setting technique. 

Hi Rhea thanks for your comment, I suppose everyone has their limitations and having the ability to work around them is a valuable skill. Most hobby creative people are happy to share and help others. So I’m sure you will find some home woodworker that would be happy to drill a peace of wood like this for you … good luck with it … Nick

thanks for that littlespinycactus, all the pleasures of being a hobbyist … using what you have around you and a cheap tool is better than no tool. Having a box of trinkets to fall back on that you’ve cherished for years. have fun … Nick

thanks Shaun, this simple technique is very versatile it can be reduced down to very small items with very fine wire. I love using soldering paste it takes a bit of practice to get used to it, but once mastered it’s very convenient to use … cheers … Nick

Hi Neesr, that sounds fabulous, hope you have a smart phone i’ll look forward to seeing some videos … good luck with it … Nick

hi Kingcrank thanks for the comment, i’m the same I’ve never weighed in any copper, just prefer to play with it. being a hobbyist I am really mean and precious with my silver so use a lot of copper practising and playing with ideas and then sometimes copying it into silver … cheers … Nick

thanks for the comment Carole, I love using pegboards they are so versatile. I started out with a plastic one but soon broke it being so heavy-handed. Next i made a metal one that is much more robust and can take a bit of a bashing. One of my first videos that did well was showing how I made this tool … here’s the link if you’re interested … ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ZnomBHodaHo.html I also made a video showing my favourite project using a peg board here is another link. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-TSim6Qvl0y0.html … good luck finding your tools and getting the creative juices flowing … N

@@Nickscreativestuff we bought a workroom full of woodworking tools as a group a few years back, and included were 2 drill presses. Looking at your expert use of it made me aware of another way I could use it! My only real issue, like most people is I have more ideas than time!

Nice to have a shared space, inspiring when skill sharing and working with others. Know how you feel about creative time, something I prioritise in life so I can enjoy plenty of it … N

thanks for that BW, a very simple and versatile technique … good luck with it … N

hi Jim thanks for comment, I do love a good handy jig, seems to be what my channel is about these days … Nick

Great fun playing around with elegant opportunities … N

thanks for that Mandy, amazing how many projects can be made using this simple pegboard … cheers … Nick

thanks Lisa, they do take time to make but an enjoyable process to learn … N

Thanks Natalie … N

Thanks Viv glad you enjoyed it … N

thanks for your Sub Amber, working on a chainmail video next … all the best … N

Thanks Jessica, endless potential variations when playing around with this sort of thing … cheers … Nick

thanks for that Silre … N

Cheers Heather … N

Thanks Abigail … N

thanks for that mark, making a tool is more satisfying than the end result sometimes … cheers … Nick

greetings to you Cecilia all the way in Colombia … N

Nice idea … I hadn’t thought of cutting the glass … i’ve got lots of diamond burrs that will do the job … cheers N

@@Nickscreativestuff yep!!!the Diamond burrs will do the trick all right!!!! I asked my hubby for a complete Dremel set for our 21st Anniversary last year and he told me to go on Amazon and make a "Dremel wishlist" and add exactly what I wanted and he would get it for me… he said he didn’t want to get something That wasn’t what I was wanting and have to go through the hassle of returning it lol… I got the the 73 piece kit that came with: (1) 4300 Rotary Tool, Pivot Light, 225 Flex Shaft, A550 Shield, A577 Detailer’s Grip, 678 Circle Cutter/Straight Edge Guide, 575 Right Angle, A576 Sanding/Grinding Guide, 565 Cutting Guide and 675 Garden Tool Sharpener… I also got the Dremel 231 Router Table attachment and the Multi-vise… plus a lot of various bits and burrs, Sanding drums, cutters etc… but my favorite attachment for the Dremel has to be the Flex Shaft… I use that more than the main Dremel tool itself!!! So much easier to hold that and use it like a pencil than it is to try and hold the entire tool to do detail work!

sounds like somebody really loves you … new tools … the way to an artist heart. looks like your hubby won’t see much of you for awhile with your head in all those user manuals. I have a flex shaft, makes life a lot easier for detailed work … have fun with your new toys … N

@@Nickscreativestuff yes… I had to read those user manuals alright… and yes, I am quite spoiled by my hubby… lol… I’m can't work because I have seizures and a completely yfused spine thing hat goes from the bacml k of my skull clear down to my pelvis…it’s the equivalent of having a broomstick shoved up one's bum! So, because of my issues, I do a lot of crafting… I’m actually trying to possibly set up some sort of online store to sell my creations or possibly have a little booth in a crafting show to make a little bit of extra money… if anything, to just make enough to at least cover the costs of my supplies to keep me going :)

hi zippedupkitz, manage to miss messages sometimes … sorry to hear you’re so debilitated, good job you have an interest in arts and crafts to keep you busy. I don’t think I could survive without the opportunity to be creative. i’ve been getting more enquiries about the stuff I make and whether I sell it or not. I know I should be trying to sell stuff online but the work and commitment involved puts me off. Maybe one day I could be more committed. i’ve really enjoyed having a stall at craft fairs and Christmas shows although even more work to get out and about with it all and to make it pay I feel you have to be doing it all the time from one show to the next. I think the Internet has masses of potential for arts and crafts if you have the mindset for it and you’re an organised sort. good luck with your endeavours … Nick

thanks Jirup, i’m sure this technique could work well scaled down using silver to hold small items. perfect if you can make glass cabochons … Nick

@@Nickscreativestuff I have a teensy little fibre kiln that I heat in a microwave oven, perfect for melting small amounts of glass. The little kiln I use to anneal beads doesn't get hot enough to melt glass.

didn’t know you could use a microwave for glasswork, sounds a bit scary if you don’t know what are you doing. I participated in a glass bead making weekend class … thoroughly enjoyable … couldn’t justify the expense of taking it further at home … N

@@Nickscreativestuff Lampworking is a bit pricey, but I love it. A microwave kiln isn't overly dangerous, just don't use your kitchen microwave because you don't want to be contaminating it with ceramic fibres. The physics is pretty basic. The kiln is made from a refractory material, lined with a susceptor. The susceptor absorbs microwave radiation and converts it to radiant heat. Granted, removing the kiln from the oven with an internal temp of around 700C, does have some inherent risks.

it’s amazing how many modern and old creative processes there are out there to explore. I would try lamp work one day if I had the time and money. i’m a bit nervous around microwaves these days. The worst burn I’ve ever experienced was when retrieving a mug of hot milk from a microwave, I hadn’t noticed the silvery metallic handle had got so hot it had turned blue with heat and my fingers stuck to it. i’m sure a new microwave kiln would come with lots of instructions and warnings to follow. anyway I won’t waffle on … enjoy your creativity … Nick

Thanks Lili Pe, a simple but fun method to use … N

hiya mate, I made some of these up for a Christmas church hall sale I attended one year to have something cheap to display. it was the kids that seemed to fall in love with them, so I ended up giving most of them away …Nick

@@Nickscreativestuff so sweet... 😍😍😍

Nice simple setting … N

thanks for that Ovidiu, always good to share … N

thanks Jan, not so good at keeping up the pace with video production … cheers … Nick

Hi MJ, I was inspired to make this tool after finding 4mm x 1m steel rod at my local home improvement store B&Q in the UK. However I’m sure nails would work well for this, I found some that were 3.5mm in diameter one time that come in useful for all sorts of projects. Also aluminium knitting needles are easy to cut up and use for this … good luck with it … Nick

thanks for your comment Lourias, One of the things I love so much about silver solder paste is that you can use tiny tiny amounts with precise placement … N

Thanks for that Dani … N

works well but hard to film nicely … N

@@Nickscreativestuff I have benefited a lot from your craftsmanship

Nice to hear that Aa … thanks … N

i’ve bought this sort of jig before but I’ve been very disappointed … N

@@Nickscreativestuff that is why you make them yourself... 😜

so much more satisfying if you can make it instead of buying it … N

thanks for that Astrid … N

thanks for your comment Naeva, I tend to be having fun making it up as I go along … N

thanks Canela, Nice to share simple things … N

Hi Zippedupkitz thanks for your sub and encouragement, yes the music thing has been a right kerfuffle. being relatively new to all this I was getting a bit confused with peoples strong hating opinions. i’ve tried a video without but find it rather boring not being a skilled back ground sound recordist. your resin work sounds interesting lots of options and possibilities to explore I do love copper very cheap and versatile. you’ll have to do some videos and upload them … all the best … Nick

@@Nickscreativestuff if I ever get comfortable making them, I might… I have one video on my channel that I show a jewelry box I made with a resin top to look like stained glass… the entire box was completed yet when I made the video as I was waiting on some felt lining and feet for the box to stand on but I wa Ted to show the resin I did for the top… it’s was the first time I had ever done anything like that… still pretty new to all of this… been playing around with it for about 8 months now… getting there… I recently discovered Eco-Resin which is like Jesomite or a casting plaster… I casted the holder to some coasters today with it and holy moly Canoly!!!! I love the stuff!!! It came out of the mold that felt soft as Silk to the touch but it was rock hard like marble is… the stuff I used is called Activa Permastone…I love working with resin but it’s so bloody expensive and I have been looking for an alternative to it to make .Christmas gifts,,, so I think I will cast my Ices I wa t to use as gifts with the permastone and then to give it a first class finish, coat it with resin to make it completely water proof and sealed…in can also paint the stone before sealing it or use pigments in the resin to add color and depth to the pieces… I got a test bag of it today for a couple,bucks off Amazon… and after using it once, literally opened .Amazon back up and ordered what was left of the sellers stock! What I spent in $$$ for the permastone, I would have gotten maybe a 1/3 of the amount in .resin for the same price! My apologies for the long winded reply…mi tend to start babbling and don’t know when to stop lol… have a blessed day!!!!

your resin top box looks great very colourful, resin appears to be getting more and more trendy these days it has a great look and seems to be very versatile. there’s so many different mediums out there to play with and new stuff coming on the market all the time, Great for arty souls who like to discover new ideas. Stone like casting sounds as if it could have a lot of potential for interesting explorations. finding something a bit lighter on the pocket it’s always good I know how easy it is to get carried away with arts and crafts …. have fun … Nick

@@Nickscreativestuff did my reply with the link to amazon go through ?

yes I did read and reply to your message and tool list your hubby bought for you. it came up under the video “making a wire bending jig tool for basic stone setting” … Nick👍

thanks Richard, works well for all sorts of shapes and sizes … cheers… Nick

Thanks for that Shahzadi, just trying to get a stone set chain finished for my next video … Cheers … Nick

thanks charmedlife, yes this technique can be adapted to hold all sorts of shapes and sizes … N

Thanks Anil … N

Nice to hear that AB … cheers … Nick

👍😎👍 … N

thanks for that Canela … N

thanks Joe … N

all my original content … N

all my original content … N

hi Tammie, good to hear you’re moving on with your creativity. The simplest way to copper plate over the silver joints that I found is to use spent pickle. I separate some out making sure it’s hot and drop in my piece to be copper plated wrapped in steel wool. steel or iron in the pickle will cause a reaction copperplating anything that’s in the pickle bath … N

@@Nickscreativestuff HI Nick! Thank you for responding to my question! That doesn't sound to difficult. I started my journey in wire wrapping but my main interest is Metalsmithing. And your videos are thoroughly informative. So thank you for doing them! And have a wonderful day 😊

thanks Tammie, good luck with your adventures into metalsmithing … a thoroughly enjoyable hobby to experiment with … N

all my original content … N

Thanks Ricardo … N

Hi Dianne, I laid this grid out on metric graph paper, the staggered offset centres came out at 7mm apart. The pins and holes were 4mm diameter … hope this helps … Nick

There’s specific pastes for soldering precious metals. there are four solder pastes for silver and they are graded by melting temperature i.e. hard, medium easy and extra easy I purchased mine from Cooksongold.com … N

thanks Mariitalulita … N

Hi Catherine, sorry I didn’t realise I missed out all the crucial information from this video, I’ll have to add it to the description. The drill and pins were 4mm, the wire was 1.7mm and the graph paper i used for layout was metric. I use a diamond burr to bevel the edges of the drill holes it came from a box set like this … www.amazon.co.uk/Lapidary-Polishing/dp/B078P8BLFV/ … hope this helps … N

hi Sandie, Hot acid is really good for cleaning copper after soldering, some people use a home recipe of hot white vinegar with salt dissolved in it as a cleaning bath … hope this helps … Nick

hi Terri, I used 4mm pins and drill for this tool and after drilling i used a cheap diamond grit burr to soften the sharp edges of the holes … N

Hi Jenn, I found these in a secondhand tool shop. When doing an Internet search for large round nose pliers nothing comes up apart from small jewellers varieties. The only thing I can suggest is buying a large pair of “internal circlip pliers” and cut the tips back somewhat … good luck with it … Nick

all my original content … N

I found 1m lengths of bright 4mm steel rod in my local hardware store called B&Q in the UK. However my now preferred choice is standard knitting needles as they come in a huge variety of diameters cheap and readily available in many stores and are made of aluminium so are easily cut to length. Most tools I pick up when I see cheap on offer somewhere especially like Lidl where I bought a recent box of diamond burrs. my favourite go to pliers open when you squeeze the handles and are called external circle pliers used in the vehicle mechanics industry. otherwise I use cooksongold.com for jewellery tools … hope this helps … N

A quick critical look at Cooksongold website shows it’s called a soldering block. An easy way to clean the copper after soldering is to dip it in salty vinegar whilst the metal is still hot … Nick

sorry I wasn’t very clear about the layout in the video, but I was using metric graph paper and because the layout was diagonal one pin hole ended up in the centre of a 5 x 5 square … N

nails work very well for pegs if you can match the hole size … i’ve used knitting needles before come in a variety of sizes and easy to cut being aluminium. my local DIY store sell bright steel rod I’ve also used N

all my original content … N

hi Geoffroy, I get the majority of my jewellery supplies from a company called Cooksongold … cheers … Nick

Hi Igor, there are a few layout patterns that can be achieved with graph paper. This offset staggered arrangement is my favourite as it gives me triangles and hexagons to play with. I made this tool with 4mm holes and pins … N

@@Nickscreativestuff thank you. I decided to copy your tool (with some tweaks), but when I went to the local hardware store, there were no pins whatsoever. I settled for some 3mm and 3.8mm thick nails, hoping that will work as well. Your device here is simple but brilliant. Thank you for making this video.

i’m sure nails will work really well. I use them a lot for all sorts of different projects, a very useful material … good luck with it, I hope it works for your … N

Hi Hatice, the pins are cut from 4 mm bright mild steel bar/rod. comes mostly in 3m lengths. some Internet suppliers will cut and supply it in shorter lengths … N

all my original content … N

The steel pins are 4mm diameter, 40mm long and the plywood block is 20mm thick … hope this helps Sue … all the best … Nick

hi Sue, sorry I forgot to mention some of this crucial information … the holes are about 7mm apart and 4mm in diameter. The copper wire is 1.7mm diameter …. cheers … Nick

@@Nickscreativestuff hi Nick…where can I find the graph paper you used?

I found the pad of graph paper in Hobbycraft last time I visited the store … N

all my original content … N

👍😎👍 … N

The second pass over the holes is with a diamond cone burr, I used it to sand off small splinters on the surface of the holes and to give the holes a small counter sink shape … N