TIPS & TRICKS FROM JASON CHANDLER
In our most recent From the Bench, I wrote about Jason’s adaptations and accommodations to meet the demands of 2020 — i.e., how he kept his trade shop, Portland Jewelry Artisans, functioning. This was doubly important because his school, Portland Jewelry Academy, was closed in 2019 while he applied for and received state accreditation. The academy had just re-opened when the COVID stay-at-home order hit in March, and once more, it shut down.
“I think we all had to learn new strategies to adapt to last year’s challenges," he remarks. "And there were times when my two partners and I struggled. I think it was the same for many small business owners.”
FLEXIBILITY & ADAPTABILITY
With masks, curbside pickup, hand sanitizer, and sanitizing spray, they found a way to keep the work flowing. Though they weren't as busy as they wanted to be, with adjustments such as consolidating the shop and the school in the same building, they kept moving forward.
Through his years at the bench, Jason's picked up many tips and tricks, and he sent me three for the ftb article. Two had accompanying pictures, which we didn't have space to print. “I’m always looking for new ways to work more efficiently,” Jason says. “These tips come from techniques shared by other jewelers and my improvisations while working.”
TIP #1: PROTECTING STONES FROM LASERS
Jason borrowed this method from an old school polishing trick used before ultrasonic cleaners and steam boilers. His comments accompany the images.
STEP 1
“Dampen the jewelry needing protection, and with a damp finger pack the stone backs with baking soda. It takes very little water or time to create a cement-like packing of the baking soda.”
STEP 2
“The baking soda is highly resilient to handling and errant laser pulses protecting the fragile stones.”
STEP 3
“It takes little time to complete the packing. Then let the piece sit briefly before you get to work at the laser.”
STEP 4
The real magic? When you’re done, rinse the piece in water, and the baking soda disappears. How easy is that?
TIP #2: THERMOS FOR THERMO-LOC®
Jason found this method obvious and a time saver but has yet to find another jeweler who uses it. Jason’s comments accompany images.
STEP 1
“I like the way hot water softens Thermo-loc, Jet Set, or other thermal plastic. I use a cheap electric tea kettle to heat the water and a good quality stainless steel vacuum thermos to soften the plastic. The thermos will keep the water to temperature for several hours so you can complete several jobs without having to stop and reheat the water."
Thanks go out to Jason for sharing these tips. If any of our readers want to share their tips or tricks, please email them to: bench_jeweler@stuller.com.
As always, if you need help or have questions about tools, equipment, metals, etc. contact Stuller’s Tools Tech Team. Give them a call at 1-800-877-7777 option 1.
