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

DIY Jewelry Studio Exhaust With a Can Fan and Ducting

@strayjewelrydesign built a studio exhaust system from a used can fan, aluminum ducting and duct tape.

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USING SAFE-D-TECT TO CHECK FOR TORCH LEAKS

Torch Safety: Checking Acetylene Tanks for Leaks

Learn how to check oxygen and acetylene torch connections for leaks with soapy water, when to turn tanks off, and why to ask for a tune-up.

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

Ear Muffs for Hearing Protection While Hammering

@amywingdesigns recommends 3M ear muffs with a 30dB noise reduction rating to protect hearing while hammering.

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SAWING SAFETY 

Keeping Fingers Out of the Saw Blade Path

How to position your fingers to the sides of or behind the blade while sawing so you never cut yourself.

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KEEPING A FIRE EXTINGUISHER IN YOUR STUDIO FROM

@yearlycompany

Jewelry Studio Fire Safety: Keep a Mini Extinguisher

An important safety tip from @yearlycompany: keep a mini fire extinguisher in your jewelry studio in case something catches fire.

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

Antiquing Chain With Black Max Patina and Tumbling

@facetsofmyself antiques chain with Black Max patina, a shot tumbler and a pink Sunshine cloth so it matches the pendant patina.

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USING VINEGAR AND SALT AS PICKLE FROM 
@balancedcreations

Homemade Pickle and Flux With Vinegar, Salt and Borax

@balancedcreations makes pickle from vinegar and salt and flux from borax and water. Includes vinegar and citric pickle recipes and a copper caution.

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

Torch Tank Safety, Leak Checks and Bleeding Lines

Torch safety tips from @creativesidejewelry on soapy water leak checks, chaining tanks, striking and bleeding gas and oxygen lines.

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

Bench Guru Dust Collection at the Jewelry Bench

How the Bench Guru dust collector installs under the bench pin and pulls metal dust and polishing particles into a recovery bag.

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HAKKO FUME EXTRACTION SYSTEM

Fume Extractor With HEPA Filter for Solder Fumes

A look at the HAKKO FA-430 fume extraction system and how its HEPA filter captures solder fumes and bench dust.

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

Power Strip Light Reminder for the Pickle Pot

A tip from @wiredlotus for plugging the pickle pot and a light into one switched strip so the light reminds you it is on.

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

Tennis Ball on an Anvil Horn for Safety

A safety tip picked up at @metalwerxstudio for putting a tennis ball on the tip of an anvil so no one walks into it.

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Thank you to everyone who shared a tip with us! This is one of the most important topics, it is so important to protect your eyes, ties your hair back and avoid wearing loose garments. Where a mask if you do not currently have a fume extractor and dust collection system. I have an entire list of safety products I use and recommend over on my Amazon storefront.

I also have a podcast episode dedicated to safety tips! You can subscribe and download my podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts! LISTEN TO EPISODE 8