Bare Minimum Tool List for Beginning Metalsmiths

Metalsmith Tool List, Handmade Jewelry Tools | Cabin Creek Jewelry

My biggest regret when I first started metalsmithing out of my home was purchasing WAY too many tools before I even started working with metal, because of this I will give you the moral of the story now. Buy what you need along the way, don't spend a ton of money on tools that can become paperweights and decorations.

I was so eager to get started, I had just finished an 8 week metalsmithing course and I was in a hurry to get going on my own. Of course I read every blog, every book I could get my hands on and talked to customer service from a couple jewelry supply companies, so I thought I was doing a good job of ordering what I felt I would need. So, in an effort to help others save some dollars I have compiled a list of what I feel to be the bare minimum tools to get you making basic jewelry such as rings, bracelets, and pendants.

Work Area. You don't necessarily need a jewelers bench like mine above, but I am glad I forked out for this because I love the catch drawer. Helps to keep your area clean by catching your dust from filing plus if it's clean there are supply companies that will buy it back from you.

Jewelers Saw & Blades. I use just the basic, cheapest saw and it works great for me, it's what I learned on. As for the blades, there are many sizes and the size you need depends on the gauge of metal you're working with, so when ordering ask the customer service rep which size you need.

Cut Lube. Use on your blades, really does help.

Needle Files. I bought a random small sized set of various shapes and they are still going strong a year later. Files are spendy so better to add what you need then buying a big super expensive set.

Hand Files. Again these can be very spendy. I purchased one flat file and one half-round file. They come in different cuts so again ask customer service what would work best for your application. I haven't needed anything more than these two.

Pickle Pot. Amazon was great for this, I scored a dip size crock pot for $10 bucks.

Copper Tongs. To grab items from your pickle pot, MUST be copper.

Water Dish. Pyrex works great, use to rinse items coming out of the pickle pot.

Tank. I have an acetylene/air set up, The local welding supply shop was a great help for me. You also can look into using a handheld butane torch, I have no experience with these and I'm not if they can get hot enough for all applications.

Torch. Appropriate torch for the tank/gas set-up you're using.

Soldering Block. Just start with the plain old vermiculite soldering block. Perfect to start with. I do recommend the next item you get is the tripod stand with wire mesh, this lets you heat the piece from below.

Third Hand. Holds your pieces as you solder. I have two of them.

Titanium Pick. Use while soldering to move pieces, hold pieces down, whatever you need to do while using the torch.

Benchtop Fume Extractor. Have one still in the box because I thought I would be soldering in my studio room but now I solder in the garage. If your soldering in a small space with no ventilation you need one.

Flux Brush. To apply your flux on your metal prior to soldering.

Sandpaper. Hit up your local hardware store. 400 grit and 600 grit are must haves.

Polishing Pads. Clean your pieces, give to customers, remove oxidation, just great to have around.

Vice. I bought the economy 4 inch vice and I wish I would have gotten a better quality one, but I have learned to work with it.

Non-Marring Mallet. I know of the rawhide and nylon mallets. I use the nylon and love it. Allows you to shape your metal and wont leave marks.

Ruler with Sizes. Love, love, love my ruler that has markings for ring and bracelet sizes.

Metal Snips. There's a TON of options, get one that best suits you.

Ring Mandrel. I would get one with the ring sizes marked on there but be cautious and double check the sizing, my mandrel sizes are not true.

Bracelet Mandrel. Get oval if you want cuffs, circle if you want bangles.

Bezel Pusher, Roller, Burnisher. Few options here, I have the roller and never use it. I do use the pusher and burnisher all the time.

Pliers. If I had to pick one to start with I'd recommend nylon coated flat nose pliers. They wont mark your metal and can be used in a ton of applications. Again, as you go along you can get the pliers that will help you the most with the type of jewelry you're making. It is crazy how many different type there are and I'm sure there's an economy set that would be great to start with.

Safety Glasses. It is an AWFUL experience to get a piece of metal in your eye. Really important to wear if you decide to buy and use a drill press and during sanding/polishing with a rotary tool.

With these tools you should be on your way to creating beautiful jewelry pieces. I will say, this will be the slow way, there are so many tools on the market that cut your time down. I save the most time with sanding and polishing by using my rotary tool, but I didn't have one when I started and definitely is an expense that can wait.

One last note, this list is only the tools, you'll also need a few materials. This includes pickle, flux, soldering chips in easy, medium, and hard, sheet metal, bezel wire, and other various wires and metals you choose to work with. It's a fun adventure and I wish you the best of luck. Be safe and feel free to send me questions or suggestion that you feel should be added to this list, I'm sure I'll be adding something I forgot about.