METALSMITH SOCIETY'S TOP SAFETY TIPS

Safety is always an important consideration when making jewelry. Whether you are hobbyist that occasionally makes jewelry or you are a professional there are safety considerations and equipment that help create a safer and healthier work enviornment. Here are some of the most popular tips about safety from members of our Metalsmith Society community! 

#DIY WINDOW EXHAUST FOR A JEWELRY STUDIO FROM 
@strayjewelrydesign

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I am so impressed by the #diy exhaust system that @strayjewelrydesign made and kindly shared with me. She purchased a can fan (used) from a grow store for $40 and then used aluminum ducting and duct tape. Weekend project anyone? #metalsmithsociety #jewelrymakingsafety #benchjeweler #jewelersexhaustsystem #benchjeweler #showmeyourbench #instasmithy #silversmith #goldsmith #jewelrystudio

A post shared by Metalsmith Society (@metalsmithsociety) on Apr 14, 2018 at 4:37am PDT

USING SAFE-D-TECT TO CHECK FOR TORCH LEAKS

EAR PROTECTION FROM @amywingdesigns (CAN BE FOUND ON MY #TOOLTALKTUESDAY PAGE)

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Recently I requested some ear plug recommendations to protect myself while hammering in the studio (striking a disc cutter is powerful and loud 😅) thank you to all of you that took time to reach out to me 🙏🏻 several people recommended ear muff style which really appealed to me as my hands are often pretty dirty while I’m working and probably shouldn’t be handling anything that is going in my ear 😂 thank you to @amywingdesigns for sharing these - “I have the 3M 105 which have a noise reduction rating of 30db” these are quoted as being recommended for “extremely loud conditions” 😁🙌 I’m so grateful that I can pose questions to this wonderful community of ours and people show up to help and share their experience and ideas. If you have a question or something you’d like more info on you can leave a comment below 👇✊ also I will add these to my TOOLS highlights (I say this all the time now 🤦‍♀️😬💸) #metalsmithsociety #jewelrytools #safetyequipment

A post shared by Metalsmith Society (@metalsmithsociety) on Oct 20, 2018 at 5:10am PDT

SAWING SAFETY 

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Here is a tip to prevent cutting yourself while sawing. On the left you can see I’m holding my piece and allowing my fingers to be in the path of the blade. This in my experience led me to many accidents back when I was starting out. On the right you can see I’m sawing with my fingers completely clear of the path of my blade. No matter what the shape of your piece is just check that your fingers are completely to the sides or better yet behind your blade entirely! I haven’t cut myself sawing in years because I do a simple check before I start. Hope this helps everyone, please stay safe! 🙏😘 oh and happy Friday! #metalsmithsociety #beginnerjeweler #jewelrysawingtips #jewelrytipoftheday

A post shared by Metalsmith Society (@metalsmithsociety) on Aug 9, 2019 at 6:09am PDT

KEEPING A FIRE EXTINGUISHER IN YOUR STUDIO FROM

WEARING GLOVES AND HAVING PROPER VENTILATION WHEN APPLYING PATINA FROM @facetsofmyself

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I can’t help myself, I need to also post a tip today 😂in less than a month we have 1K in our community! I started this because I wanted to actually connect on social media with others that are passionate about sharing knowledge. The response has been overwhelming so thank you for joining us and thanks for telling a friend 🙏🏻 Loved this share from @facetsofmyself about their process of getting an antiqued look on chain - “I love @riogrande Black Max for patina - but always wear gloves and work in a well ventilated area. Then it's into the shot tumbler for a while. I finish with a pink Sunshine cloth. Now my chains have the same patina as my pendants.” #metalsmithsociety #aspiringmetalsmith #riojeweler #etsyjeweler #handmadejewelry #jewelrymakingprocess

A post shared by Metalsmith Society (@metalsmithsociety) on Mar 1, 2018 at 6:48am PST

USING VINEGAR AND SALT AS PICKLE FROM 
@balancedcreations

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Thank you @balancedcreations for sharing how you make your own flux and pickle. - “Instead of using traditional pickle and flux I make my own, it is cheaper and less toxic. For the pickle I use white vinegar and salt. For the flux I mix borax and water. Both work so well! I will never use anything else.” I made my own pickle when I was pregnant and found two recipes online: 1️⃣ vinegar pickle - 2 cups vinegar, 1 tsp salt 2️⃣ citric acid pickle: 2 cups lemon/lime juice (fresh or bottled, 1 tsp salt. The salt helps them pickle quicker. Be aware salt dissolves copper and can pit the metal if left for too long. If you have other ways you try to make your jewelry making process less toxic share it with us! Comment below or DM me 🙏🏻👊🏻😘 #metalsmithsociety #jewelrytip #benchjeweler #jewelryteacher #jewelrystudents #jewelryequipment

A post shared by Metalsmith Society (@metalsmithsociety) on Mar 8, 2018 at 4:27am PST

TORCH SAFETY FROM @creativesidejewelry (ALSO BE SURE TO READ THE BLOG ARTICLE!)

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Here are some tips on torch safety from @creativesidejewelry - “ 1️⃣ Make sure to check the connection where the regulator screws on to the tank everytime you change the tank out. This is as easy as using soapy water and a paint brush to brush all over the threads so they are covered in bubbles. If the bubbles start growing and spurting out that means you have a leak. 2️⃣ Do not over tighten when connecting your regulator to the valve as this can strip the threading which causes leaks. 3️⃣ Chain Your Tanks Together (or to a table) so they can't fall over (the neck and regulator need to be protected from damage) 4️⃣ Practice your strike a few times before turning on your gas to get a good spark and then light right away 5️⃣ Bleed your lines when you are done working by first shutting off the main valve then relieving the pressure on the regulator then opening the valve on the torch until the pressure hits zero on the regulator (you can also hear the gas/oxygen leaving) Do this individually for the gas and oxygen, it doesn't matter what order. Make sure to close your torch valves when you're done. 6️⃣ Keep a fire exstinguisher in your studio space.” We want everyone to feel confident about using their torches, safely. Whether that’s in your garage or at your studio space. I always recommend going to your local plumbing/welding supply when you need to refill a tank and while you are there ask questions and be shown how to operate your equipment so you feel empowered. Thank you so much to @creativesidejewelry for putting this together and be sure to check out the blog article we put together: “HOW TO FEEL CONFIDENT YOU ARE SAFELY USING YOUR JEWELERS TORCH” Link is in my profile (under Torch Safety Blog) #torchsafety #metalsmithsociety #jewelrystudio #metalsmith #solderingsafety

A post shared by Metalsmith Society (@metalsmithsociety) on Jan 27, 2019 at 4:52am PST

DUST COLLECTION SYSTEM FROM BENCH GURU (YOU CAN FIND THIS ON MY #TOOLTALKTUESDAY PAGE)

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For this week’s #tooltalktuesday I’m showing off a dust collecting system that has made my work environment MUCH safer and saves me money: the Bench Guru! As jewelers we NEED to protect ourselves from inhaling metal dust, polishing compounds and other harmful particles. Once you get metal dust in your lungs, it is there to stay. Prior to installing this I was using a 3M respirator mask however If I’m honest, I was not 100% about using it. Since upgrading to a Bench Guru I realize it is a game changer! The way it works is you install it to your bench (I have mine right under my bench pin) plug the Bench Shield in, and do your grinding and polishing right on it as it sucks all the dangerous dust into a recovery bag. A very important thing to note is that the install requires a few tools you might not have lying around, and depending on what type of bench you have you may need to take some extra steps to get it properly installed ( I created an IGTV video to show my process ) If you’re not a MacGyver you may find certain steps tricky but I assure you it’s worth it once you get it installed. I recommend getting both the BG-K002 PREMIUM PMRS® BENCH SHIELD KIT and the PMRS® Recovery Vacuum. While the Bench Guru is compatible with any shop vacuum I really like their vacuum (which is a separate purchase) because it’s quiet, compact and a breeze to use. Once you fill the vacuum bag you can send it off to the refiner and in time the system pays for itself and then some! There is no doubt that the Bench Guru is collecting metal that used to just go everywhere in my shop, and therefore is saving me money! The Bench Shield is also protecting my face! You can always wear your safety goggles too if you want to double down on the safety front! Since installing this I use it 100% of the time when I’m polishing with my flex shaft, it’s very quick to take it on and off and since I use a @grstools Benchmate System its quick to switch from my bench pin to the Bench Guru. Definitely adding this to the “Safety” section of my #tooltalktuesday website page so you can find links to purchase there! @benchguru is giving our community 10% off with code MSS10 #sponsored #metalsmithsociety

A post shared by Metalsmith Society (@metalsmithsociety) on Jun 18, 2019 at 5:16am PDT

HAKKO FUME EXTRACTION SYSTEM

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For this week’s #tooltalktuesday I’m extremely excited to discuss the @hakkousa FA-430 Smoke & Fume Extraction System. One of my goals for 2019 is to have more conversations about improving our health in the studio. I realized that although this system is an investment, it was time to step my game up! This HAKKO unit is very light (7.5 pounds) which I like because it’s easy to move around. I have one duct but it does have the option of using two. It features three suction speeds and if you watch my videos you can get an idea of how loud they are, I like how quiet the loudest setting is, If I needed to speak over it or have it on for longer periods it doesn’t bother me! The best feature of this system is its HEPA filter (High Efficiency Particulate Air, is a designation used to describe filters that are able to trap 99.97 percent of particles that are 0.3 microns). It captures dangerous solder fumes (along with any other chemical, patina, white out etc. fumes) and actually RETURNS CLEAN PURIFIED AIR BACK INTO YOUR STUDIO 🙏🏻❤️ I use it at my bench to collect the dust and debris from various flex shaft bits. I just swing the duct from my soldering station to my bench pin, I do have to say I find myself wrestling with the duct to get it into position but I think this is partly because I have it in a very tight space. This system is a game changer for me; previously I used a 3M respirator with filters but sometimes I wasn’t 100% about using it 😬 The fumes would dissipate in my studio and the dust particles would just settle. While this is by no means the only option out there if you can find a system that does have a certified HEPA filter you will be capturing the most damaging particles. I created an IGTV video (my first 😅) about my new system, if you want to see more. 😄 I am partnering with HAKKO in offering our community a 10% discount with promo code: MetalSmith10 (case sensitive, this code is good when purchased at hakkousa.com only for either FA-430 KIT (rectangular or round duct) one per person.) #metalsmithsociety #jewelrystudio #jewelrymakingequipment #Hakko #partnership #FumeExtractionSystem #FumeExtractor

A post shared by Metalsmith Society (@metalsmithsociety) on Feb 5, 2019 at 5:23am PST

A TIP FOR REMEMBERING TO TURN OFF YOUR PICKLE POT 
@wiredlotus

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Here is a tip for those of us who forget to turn off the pickle pot 🙋‍♀️🤦‍♀️ from @wiredlotus - “I have this tip for a reminder to turn off the pickle pot. I use a power surge protector cord with a switch. I plug in the pickle pot and the light into the strip. I turn both on and off at the switch. Seeing the light on reminds me the pot is also on so I don’t accidentally leave it on. This has saved my pickle pot many times. Even my husband will say, “Lights on. Don’t forget to shut off your pickle-pot.” Love this so much! Thanks for sharing Susan! #metalsmithsociety #jewelrystudio #metalsmith #picklingjewelry

A post shared by Metalsmith Society (@metalsmithsociety) on Jun 29, 2019 at 4:25am PDT

PLACING A TENNIS BALL ON THE TIP OF YOUR ANVIL FROM 
@metalwerxstudio 

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Here is a simple safety tip I picked up while taking a class at @metalwerxstudio if your anvil is placed anywhere it can be walked into place a tennis ball on the tip! This a great one for those of you who have workshops! 🔥 Thanks again for having me @metalwerxstudio if you’re in the New England area check them out and be sure to visit my “Where To Take Classes” page on metalsmithsociety.com 🙌 #jewelrystudio #jewelryworkshop #metalwerx

A post shared by Metalsmith Society (@metalsmithsociety) on Jul 6, 2019 at 4:49am PDT