tools of the trade
In the workplace, there are many tools that perform a variety of functions. Yet, the greatest tool a craftsperson can have is their hands. The hand possesses tremendous mobility and precision. The basic motions of the hand are reaching, grasping, releasing, transporting, positioning and rotating. All of these complex mechanical movements happen effortlessly and constantly in jewelry manufacturing.
The term handcrafts refers to the production of objects by the skills of the hands along with the use of tools. Hand tools are designed to embody common hand motion concepts including gripping, turning and moving. To increase efficiency, along with human motion concepts, tools also employ basic fundamentals of physics and mechanics. Some of these concepts include leverage and the use of counter weights.
This makes the tool a useful extension of the hand providing the ability to perform actions the hand could not do alone. Tools are extremely powerful. They increase strength, effectiveness and usefulness. But, skill and mastery over any tool is still the most important aspect of craftsmanship. Mastery of a trade comes from physical and mental dedication, constant practice and proper repetition.
Basic Tool Categories
Holding Tools
The concept of holding tools is to free one or both hands from having to grip an object while working on it. Holding tools allows the hands to perform other functions while having a firm grip on the material. Clamps, bench vises, lathes and die sinkers balls give both hands freedom. Hand vises, ring clamps, pin vises, shellac sticks, pliers, tweezers and tongs give freedom to one hand.
Direct Striking Tools
Direct striking tools are the oldest forms of tools invented by humanity. Direct strike means the tool itself comes into contact with the object being worked on. The foremost example of this is the hammer. Early hammers were just heads made of stone or metal that were struck to an object. Later, the handle was added which increased leverage and striking force. Other direct striking tools are forging hammers, silversmithing hammers, riveting hammers, automatic hammers, drop hammers and mallets made from many different types of materials.
Indirect Striking Tools
Indirect striking tools are tools struck by a direct striking tool on an object. Indirect striking tools, such as chisels and punches, are used to channel and regulate the force placed on the working object.
Compression Tools
Compression tools are tools that actively apply or passively resist pressure brought onto an object caused by work. Specific tools that actively apply pressure are burnishes, bezel setters, milligrain tools, prong pushers, beading tools and rolling mills. The tools that passively resist or absorb pressure are surface blocks, swage blocks, dapping blocks, one-piece dies or molds, anvils, stakes and mandrels.
Cutting Tools
Cutting tools are nearly as old as striking tools. The main prosperity of cutting tools are having points, teeth or edges sharp enough to cut. These teeth and edges can wear out an become dull after prolonged use. Some blades, after wearing out, will have to be replaced with new blades. Other blades can be re sharpened. The action of cutting can be accomplished in different ways using different tools. Among these ways are: lever action shearing, impact shearing, rotational severing and reciprocal action severing.
Lever action shearing includes hand shears, bench shears, nippers, scissors and snips. The cutting action is achieved when two opposing, sharp-edged blades come together and pass each other along the cutting plane. The blades move using lever action created by opposing handles that are gripped and squeezed.
Impact shearing occurs when a circle disc punch is forced through material to sever a blank or make a hole. Hollow-patterned dies are also included in this category.
Rotational severing is the process of cutting an object using a single blade which rotates in a continuous, one-directional movement. Tools included in this category are cut-off discs, ring cutters and belt saws.
Reciprocal Action Severing includes hand saws, hack saws and jigsaws. The cutting action is achieved by moving the blade back and fourth through the cutting plane, creating a groove which will deepen with each stroke.
Torsion Tools
Torsion tools are a fairly recent development compared to striking and cutting tools. Torsion is the act of twisting or turning an object using lateral force in one direction while the second part remains still or moves in the opposite direction. Torsion tools include screwdrivers, nut drivers and many different types of wrenches.
Metal Removal Tools
Removing metal uses concepts such as boring, linear shaving, rotational shaving, reciprocal abrasion, rotational abrasion and dispersed abrasion.
Boring uses hand drills, bow drills, strap drills, pump drills, drill presses, reamers and broaches to remove the metal. The drill drives a bit at the object while rotating it. The combination of pressure and rotation shaves away at the metal creating a hole.
Linear shaving includes chisels, engravers, liners and scorers. The tool is worked in a linear direction, either toward or away from the worker, shaving pieces from the metal.
Rotational shaving uses a lathe. The object is mounted into the lathe and rotated on a fixed axis. Then, a cutting tool is used to chip away at the spinning object. Screw plate dies and taps operate on the same principal.
Reciprocal abrasion occurs due to the back and fourth action of tools such as files and scrapers on the surface of the metal.
Rotational abrasion is performed by a devise mounted on a rotation motor spindle that gradually polishes or grinds away at the object.
Dispersed abrasion works any desired area of a surface exposed to the continuous abrasive action. Sand blasting machines are a perfect example of this.
Mechanized Power Tools
Mechanized power tools are the most recent developments given to craft persons in the jewelry industry. Electricity and technology have created an excellent level of accuracy and efficiency in the workplace. Along with traditional hand tools, electric powered drills, shears, saws, lathes, sanders, polishers and much more are commonplace in the modern jewelry manufacturing worksite.
