The past few days we have been looking at polishing jewelry and different techniques of polishing. (Gloves are a BAD idea by the way)
Well, today let’s take a break from that and change gears. Today let’s talk about Design Layout and a few easy tools to help you in that.
The first tool I use is just a round disc that I have engraved lines to break it into quarters, and one line that separates one of the quarters in half. I use this to help me layout rings if I need to find the half way portion of the ring or a 45 degree mark from the top. This comes in handy in laying out stones, reshanking a ring, or just finding quadrants of a circle.
The next layout tool I use is similar, but is broken into eighths, or 45 degree marks, and a series of circles from ring size 6 – 10. I just print these out and tape them to a piece of thin cardboard for ease. They work for rings or for anything round to find symmetrical points.
Lastly I have a grid that I have made that is marked in 2mm increments. I have this printed and taped to a thin piece of cardboard as well. I use this to help line up pieces and mark pieces vertically and horizontally. I have one of these taped to the inside of my bench drawer as well for quick reference.
I did these designs on my CAD program and have made them downloadable and printable for all, just print them, cut them out and use them. I either have them laminated or do it myself with clear tape. I keep a few of them around. Click on the link below.
Thanks for stopping by and have an Awesome day.
BTW, it is Summer and the Weekend, now go “Layout” haha
Doug
Hi Doug,
I would just like to add that when printing sometimes there can be differences in sizes once the page is printed. Just in case someone thinks the printed version will be exact with measurement. I only know this because I was a stained glass artist and my printed designs varied when i printed more than one. I had to be aware of minor size differences when the design was printed. Great idea though, thank you!
Thanks. I will take that into consideration. I usually print these 1:1 from my CAD program, but I know if I import it into an excel spreadsheet and print in actual size it works as well. Thanks.
Thanks, Doug. I’d love to have a copy of that.
LOVED this post!!!! Thank you so much, Doug. I have printables but on paper, mounting them on cardboard is SO SMART!
Thanks Stephanie.
Thanks again Doug for another helpful tute. Great idea to mount it on cardboard. I too would love a copy! 🙂
Thanks Vicki, I will make them available soon.
Doug,
Just found your site and am working my way through it (backwards’ish). You mention here that gloves are a bad idea, besides being annoying. I avoid them until my final polish, where if I don’t just touching the silver dulls it beyond skin oil. Ostensibly, I have acidic skin/oil. I even will turn sterling black if I wear it. My finger too. Do you have any suggestions for final polish without gloves?
Cheers! and thank you for the site!
Chris Lund
Chris, welcome to the site. There are a couple of options:
First you can try the finger-tip gloves. Just like gloves that protect you fingers against heat and polishing, but they just slip on over your fingers.
You can also try finger tape. there are a few types of polishing tape that you put on over your finger tips to protect your fingers and keep the finger oils off of your jewelry. Some call it “Alligator skin”.
Good luck.
Doug
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