Tools for Anthem Necklace Course
Below are the tools I use for making the Anthem Necklace project.
Below you'll find several versions of the same tools- this is simply to offer you prices and features to compare, but you do NOT need duplicates!
When price checking, don't forget to take into account shipping costs (especially on heavy items), pro account discounts, coupons you may have, etc.
Click any item to be taken directly to online retailers. Happy sourcing!
(NOTE: Some of the products below may contain affiliate links. Thank you for your support.)
Swanstrom Round Disc Cutter Set
My favorite disc cutter! Durable, long lasting, high quality... does come with a high price.
Pepe 196.10 Disc Cutter Set of 14, 1/8" to 1" on Stand
An amazing kit! Durable, high quality disc cutter. This set includes everything: cutter, punches, urethane mat to protect your work surface, lubricant and centering dies for creating perfect washers.
SFC Tools Disc Cutter - Circle - 10 Punches - for Jewelry Making - SFC Tools - 28-589
A great economy disc cutter for beginners or those who don't want to invest too much.
Brass Mallet, 2-lb.
Brass is excellent for striking tools and disc cutter punches, as it will not mushroom or damage your steel tools. This 2lb version provides ample weight, limiting bounce-back and requiring fewer blows.
Brass Mallets
Brass is excellent for striking tools and disc cutter punches, as it will not mushroom or damage your steel tools. This 2lb version provides ample weight, limiting bounce-back and requiring fewer blows.
Brass Mallet For Metal Smithing - 2 Pound
Brass is excellent for striking tools and disc cutter punches, as it will not mushroom or damage your steel tools. Contenti offers a variety of weights- you can check them out here.
Ball-Peen Hammer, 8 oz.
Ball-peen hammers are great to use when flattening metal. We will be using this tool in class to hammer our ball embellishments into flat discs. My personal preference is an 8 oz.
Ball Pein Hammers
Ball-peen hammers are great to use when flattening metal. We will be using this tool in class to hammer our ball embellishments into flat discs. My personal preference is an 8 oz.
Ball Peen Hammer, 8 Oz
Ball-peen hammers are great to use when flattening metal. We will be using this tool in class to hammer our ball embellishments into flat discs. My personal preference is an 8 oz.
Nano Nylon Mallet
An awesome mallet! Nylon is durable and size of this hammer in conjunction with its dual faces make it perfect for forming our bell. You'll use this hammer often, believe me, and will wonder how you ever survived without it.
Friedrich Dick Checkering Hand File, German Cut #2
This checkering file creates a finer detail, creating 50 parallel lines per square inch! A great file for adding surface texture and design.
Grobet USA Checkering File Cut #0
This medium checkering file is a midrange coarseness at 30 parallel lines per inch. This is a great tool!
Friedrich Dick Checkering Hand File, German Cut #00
A coarser, more sparse version of the checkering file, the hefty teeth on this bad boy cut 20 parallel lines per inch. Great for distinct markings on metal.
VALLORBE NEEDLE FILE ROUND CUT #2
We will be using this round style needle file to refine the silhouette of our bell prior to forming it. The tapered shape and round silhouette make it ideal for perfecting the contours between our petals.
Glardon-Vallorbe Round Needle File
We will be using this round style needle file to refine the silhouette of our bell prior to forming it. The tapered shape and round silhouette make it ideal for perfecting the contours between our petals.
Glardon Vallorbe Needle Round File, Cut 2
We will be using this round style needle file to refine the silhouette of our bell prior to forming it. The tapered shape and round silhouette make it ideal for perfecting the contours between our petals.
Glardon Vallorbe Precision Barrette Hand File, Swiss Cut #2
An excellent file for refining the petals of your pierced bell. The knife-edge silhouette lacks teeth on the back side, meaning you can't inadvertently file behind the object of your focus. The flat face also works well in place of a flat or bastard file, making this an excellent all purpose tool that every jeweler should own.
Grobet USA Barrette File, 6 Inch, Cut 2
An excellent file for refining the petals of your pierced bell. The knife-edge silhouette lacks teeth on the back side, meaning you can't inadvertently file behind the object of your focus. The flat face also works well in place of a flat or bastard file, making this an excellent all purpose tool that every jeweler should own.
Glardon Vallorbe 6" Barrette File, Cut #2
An excellent file for refining the petals of your pierced bell. The knife-edge silhouette lacks teeth on the back side, meaning you can't inadvertently file behind the object of your focus. The flat face also works well in place of a flat or bastard file, making this an excellent all purpose tool that every jeweler should own.
Economy Miter-Cutting Vise and Jig
Rio's economy jig is a solid option for getting flat edges and ends on silver strip (such as used in our spacer beads), as well as ring stock, round and bezel wire.
Miter Cutting Jig
An economy version jig from Contenti, this miter vise is suitable for filing flat ends on bezel and round wire, metal strip, ring band stock, etc.
Economy Miter Jig
A solid option for the beginner, yet another economy priced miter jig to create perfect flat ends on metal stock, strip, and wire.
1 inch Straight Liner Stamp ..precision made!
A basic, high quality liner tool for embellishing. This is 1" long, so will cover a lot of distance! You'll likely want to shop around for other, shorter or more decorative options as well.
Quality hand made metal smithing tools by 2moontools by 2moontools
This Etsy seller makes great quality stamps, including a wide range of sizes in liner stamps.
Metal Border Stamps | House Of Stamps
Some fun "straight" stamps and many others! This company does beautiful work. Check out their variety.
Flat and Half-Round Forming Pliers
Great economy set of pliers! Useful for bending metal into curves without marring or scratching it. In this course, we use these to shape our spacer beads and create our toggle clasp. You'll find them useful for forming ring shanks and other items as well!
Thomas Mann studioFlux Flat/Half-Round Plier
Created by the incomparable artist, Thomas Mann, these pliers are a bit more high end, pack a punch of color, and are guaranteed to be of the highest quality. Useful for bending metal into curves without marring or scratching it. In this course, we use this type of to shape our spacer beads and create our toggle clasp. You'll find them useful for forming ring shanks and other items as well!
Flat/Half-Round Bending Pliers, 5 Inches
Great economy set of pliers that will do exactly what you need it to! Useful for bending metal into curves without marring or scratching it. In this course, we use this type of plier to shape our spacer beads and create our toggle clasp. You'll find them useful for forming ring shanks and other items as well!
Swanstrom Large Round-Nose Pliers
This pair of high quality, large round nose pliers is a constant companion in my studio. Use them for making larger loops, use them on thicker metal, and enjoy a comfortable grip and dreamily long handles.
Wubbers® Large Tapered Round Forming Pliers
The dramatic taper of the Wubbers large round nose pliers allows for an extreme variation in loop sizes. We use pliers similar to these when forming our toggle.
Durston Steel 24-Piece Dapping Set
A tough, durable, quality set to own. This is perfect if you already have a dapping block or a dapping plate (with the correct well sizes), but don't have the punch sizes you need. Please note: Block is not included!
Durston Steel 25-Piece Dapping Set with Block
Exactly what it says it is. The full set of punches and with a dapping block. Amazing quality tools that should last a lifetime if used properly. This set includes all the punch and well sizes you'll need for this project.
Economy Dapping Punch & Die Set- 2mm to 50mm
A basic economy set, great for those just getting started with dapping or who don't want to make a large investment. Comes with every size needed to complete your necklace project for this course.
RIDGID 32985 Model Tube Cutter
A fantastic tube cutter for segmenting your sterling tubing. Fits a variety of outer diameter sizes, compact, and simple to use. We will use this when making and embellishing our spool beads.
Capri Tools MiniKlinge Mini Tube Cutter
Another solid option for cutting your sterling tubing, this cutter is similar to the one I use in this class, and can be used to cut and embellish your spool beads.
Milwaukee Mini Tubing Cutter
A more expensive option, but being located at Home Depot means you don't necessarily need to wait for this tube cutter to ship. (Check your local store online for availability). A well made tool, this cutter is the same style I use in this course, and will work well for segmenting and embellishing your spool beads.
Slotted Mandrel for Emery Paper
A pack of 6 slotted mandrels. Perfect for using with your emery cloth to clean up the edges and contours of your bell, smooth out solder seams, etc.
Miniature Split Mandrels
Contenti offers a wide variety of split mandrels. I recommend item 214-318. These are sold individually, an excellent option if you're not looking to amass a mini collection of mandrels.
Split Mandrel, Straight, 3/32 Inch, Pack of 12
This pack of 12 split mandrels should last you forever! Straight silhouette makes for even smoothing with the use of emery cloth.
3M Utility Emery Cloth, Fine
Though a finer grit from what I normally use, Rio's emery cloth sheets are a good quality and will work well for this project. The cloth backing will last much longer than paper. May be used wet or dry, rinsed and reused, and in my opinion, is worth the additional expense over regular sandpaper.
Mercer Industries Grit 320 Emery Cloth Sheets (50-Pack)
This is the exact emery cloth I use so often! I have it in 280 grit up to 400 grit. I bought a package of each a few years ago and haven't had to buy it again since, despite using it regularly both in my studio and in the classroom!
3M Utility Cloth Roll 211K 320 Grit, 50 Yards
This emery cloth (also called "utility cloth") roll is an excellent tool to have at your Flex Shaft station. It's precut into a long strip, making it easy to snip to size with scissors and roll right up in your split mandrel. (Amazon also sells a variety of these strips in varying grits).
High-Speed Steel Twist Drill, #55 (10 pack)
A pack of ten steel drill bits well suited for our necklace project. This is the size we will be using to drill the hole in the top of our bell to accommodate the bail. These bits measure 1.32mm in diameter and correspond to a 16g wire.
Individual HSS Twist Drills
Drill bits sold individually. You'll want item number 200-055 for this necklace course. These bits measure 1.32mm in diameter and accommodate a 16g wire, which we will be using for our bail.
10 Pack High Speed Steel Twist Drill #55
A pack of ten steel drill bits. These bits are 1.32mm in diameter and correspond with a size 16g wire. We will be using this size bit to drill the hole in the top of our bell, which will then be fitted with our bail.
Thomas Mann Bench Pin, StudioFlux
This is the bench pin I use and love. Designed by artist Thomas Mann, I love the numerous notches and alcoves provided in this design, as well as the not-too-thick size of it. Two screws anchor it into your bench (I don't believe the screws are provided).
The Perfect Bench Pin
Though I have not had the pleasure of trying this pin out myself, I've heard and read AMAZING things from other metalsmiths. Similar to the StudioFlux design, this pin features numerous notches for various sawing exercises, as well as recessed areas for holding small components. The tapered lip at the top fits into most standard bench pin holders, including the GRS system. Read through this Etsy listing for all the great details.
EuroTool The Studioflux Jewelry Making Sawing Wooden Bench Pin Workbench Tool
The economy version of Thomas Mann's bench pin, this version lacks only the name brand burned across the top. Use it with the included vise, or utilize the screw holes to mount it permanently to your bench.
Hone Highlight Tumbling Media
This is my own media that works in a rotary tumbler. When tumbled several hours (or longer) this media leaves a matte finish and removes patina from high places, leaving a nice contrast of silver highlights and darkened recesses. Follow up with steel shot if you'd like a polished look. More details on the website.
Stainless Steel Shot, Jewelers Mix, 1 lb
A great mixed shot for creating satin to high shine finishes on your work. I like the mixed shapes for their ability to access all areas of a design. Note that you may end up having to shake or pluck some of the small grains out from your beads!
Stainless Steel Shot, Mixed, 1-lb.
A great mixed shot for creating satin to high shine finishes on your work. I like the mixed shapes for their ability to access all areas of a design. Note that you may end up having to shake or pluck some of the small grains out from your beads!
Midas® Liver of Sulfur XL Gel
This is the patina I use every time, all the time! Liver of Sulfur is the only patina I have any real experience with, so it's always what I recommend. You can use any patina brand or type that works with sterling silver.
Liver of Sulphur Gel, 4 Ounce Jar
The EuroTool version of LoS XL Gel, this is just a different brand of the same patina I use regularly.
Dura-BULL Single-Barrel Rotary Tumbler
Full Disclosure: I don't really like this tumbler. The plastic barrel means it runs loudly with media inside, and when I had one, I found it leaked frequently. HOWEVER, that may be due to user error, as I've heard many other smiths sing the praises of the Dura-BULL. (I also owned one about eight years ago so they may be build differently now.) The price is pretty competitive, and if you don't mind noise or have a remote location to run this model it may be an option worth trying.
Lortone 3A Single Barrel Tumbler
My favorite tumbler, forever and always. This is the 3a (single barrel model) and the double barrel, also sold on Amazon, is the 33b. Durable, quiet, and well-priced. You'll love a Lortone.
Single Drum Rotary Tumbler
Harbor Freight's version of a rotary tumbler, made my Chicago Electric. This model is similar to the Lortone as a lower price! Rubber barrel will run quietly with media inside.