I really appreciate all the tool making tips you have on here. I couldn't have afforded a lot of the tools but with tips like making soldering picks out of wire hangers and dowelling and making scoring tools for bending metal out of old files and the many tips on here I'm doing ok. I did go through a woodworking phase when I was younger and that's helped a lot. But I really must thank you for all this, as you said, its the time it takes to make tools as opposed to the materials. It's a good idea to have a day every so often put aside for making and maintenance of your tools.
Thank you so much Nancy! I have been inching up to chasing and repousse. The cost of the tools has been a block. I have read magazine articles about how to do this, but the video makes the whole process understandable.
Love your video! Metalworker by trade, blacksmith by hobby. I do have one error to point out, which is actually a pretty big one. Around 14:30 you talk about the spark test and use a piece of the W-1 and "mild steel" scissors as comparison. Your scissors are actually made of a chrome-moly steel (a type of stainless steel). Mild steel would have a very similar spark profile to the tool steel, except longer sparks with less feathers and star bursts. As I said, great video! It's helped point me in the right direction on adding repousse to my skill set. I'll devour the rest of your videos in the next several days and take what I need from them.
Hi Nancy. First of all, I love your videos! Don't ever stop doing them! And second, I would love to know how to make my own tubings as you mention in the hinges video. I would be very grateful if you do that tutorial. =D -Naty
a bit of a suggestion for ya, get a hobbiest hack saw for cutting your steel instead of using your expensive jewelers saw blades. they are a lot more aggressive and wont wear out nearly as fast.
Hi Trek, I'm putting a link for W1, O1 square rod and W1 drill rod above, in my comment area. Sizes for most tools run: 1/8", 5/32", 1/4". Whether you use W1 or O1 is a personal choice. Same for square or round stock. In a perfect world, you would have some round and square. Try square and if you like it - stick with it. If not, try round. You can also look at pre-made tools and choose a size you like. Most suppliers list the diameters/widths of the stock. Hope this helps. Nancy
Hi Lucas, I usually do work in millimeters but, this time it didn't happen. Of course, when I use mm's, I usually say cm's and everyone gets confused. I'm an aged person with limited brain power! I wish the US would switch to the metric system. Much, much easier to work with - much! So, the tool size that fits my hand is 9cm. Thanks for reminding me and thanks for writing. Take care, N
Wow, I also agree that you are amazing. I have watched a few of your other videos, and they are all very good and informative. Thank you so much. I love your jewelry!!!! But especially your expertise.
Interesting overview of Chasing and Reposse. Making tools is a plus. Downside is I get seasick trying to watch! Do you folks know what a tripod is?! Way too much swaying on the video. Thank you for the info - an interesting subject.
Wonderful videos! I am struggling to find any suppliers or W1 or A1 steel in the UK - I can only find O1 and it seems to be available only in flats or rods that are minimum 16mm thick. Would this steel be known by anything else? Or is there another kind of steel I can use? Thanks!
Question: When you cool it and flip it over, is that because the pliers you're using leaches the heat, and cools it too quickly? Why can't you just flip it, and do it at the same time?
Hello Naty, Thank you so much for the wonderful comment. You’ve made me a happy woman. I will keep that in mind for a future video! I always appreciate video suggestions. Thanks for watching! Nancy
Just curious: How about grinding the "corners" on the square stock, in order to make them more comfortable? Also: I absolutely love your "saw sounds"... For some reason, those three stages of conditioning the steel makes me think of Goldilocks...
You are absolutely right. I was a chaser for Towle Silversmiths for 8 years. Holding the tools all day without any discomfort. I was taught to grind and file the corners to make them more comfortable to hold.
I think this could be done with case-hardened mild steel, for those who don't have any access to tool steel. Gonna make a few out of mild steel to see how it works.
Hello Mr Strube. I believe I mention grinding the corners off in video two. Due to my advanced state of senility, I forgot to mention it at the right time and instead, mentioned it at the wrong time. I do not get the Goldilocks connection except for the number three. It must be the weather that is affecting your brain. Too much sun, perhaps? How's the grand daughter? Email me some pictures - it's been a awhile and she must be walking by now. N
Can I just say, you're the best? :) Taking classes from you would be a hoot. I'm taking chasing now at Austin Community College, and I have a date with the belt sander next week. Making some tools is my next assignment O_O This info makes it less intimidating, so thank you!
You are great... great... thanks You are great... great... Just one thing.. please say the length in centimeters too... inches is not used in most part of the world.
Hey everyone - for some reason - that I cannot fathom - I am no longer getting notifications of comments left on TH-cam. I am so confused and very sorry if I have been lax in responding to y'all. Time to call tech son. Nancy
Oh, dang it. I tend to watch these series in order so I hadn't gotten to part two when I suggested that...oh, and the Goldilocks thought was cuz of the "not too hard, not too brittle...) Weak, I know...
Hi there. Buy a set of cheap cold chisels. They tend to be made of good enough steel for this sort of use. And they come in all sorts of diameters and shapes. High tensile bolts are also a good source of decent materials.
Anyone needing such metal rods for making tools. Afterall, softer metals will ve chased requiring a little tougher tools. Car junk yards and engine reconditioners are full of disused or very cheap engine push rods, shock absorber rods. Some elbow grease on power tools in abundance will help on your tool journey as ( improvised ) resource, instead of spending big on shop prices.
"the difference between mild and tool steel" But scissors will be made from a hard, essentially tool steel, and the other thing you were grinding was tool steel. Where's the mild steel?
Hi Nancy , I really enjoy watching your videos I like very much your voice tone and your positive attitude it is always a pleasure. Im a stain steel jewelery and your tips are very useful to me . Im now into repoussè and . thank you. here is my Facebook site. facebook.com/ehuipersonalizado . Gracias .
Artists and craftspeople do create, since beginning of need. This is their forte. Improvise, impovise if unable to afford proper tools. Tool steel: why not buy used/ old carpenters' chisels. There must be friendly ppl you can see to assist in shaping these into tool blanks. Retired peoples' centres who would be delighted to assist. Thinking laterally and sourcing steel from junk yards/metal recyclers, garage sales could be a good source. Never give up in discovering things and people as resource avenues. Even rusty 6" nails coukd be a start. gd luck.
Complete Modern Blacksmith...that is a gold mine of knowledge right there!
I really appreciate all the tool making tips you have on here. I couldn't have afforded a lot of the tools but with tips like making soldering picks out of wire hangers and dowelling and making scoring tools for bending metal out of old files and the many tips on here I'm doing ok. I did go through a woodworking phase when I was younger and that's helped a lot. But I really must thank you for all this, as you said, its the time it takes to make tools as opposed to the materials. It's a good idea to have a day every so often put aside for making and maintenance of your tools.
Thank you so much Nancy! I have been inching up to chasing and repousse. The cost of the tools has been a block. I have read magazine articles about how to do this, but the video makes the whole process understandable.
First time I have seen this process with Steel, SO super handy. Cheers Nancy. Onto the next.
you are the best Nancy thank you so much for your tips hope you never stop what you are doing
Hi Monroe Boone, Thanks so much for writing such lovely words. I really appreciate it! Happy, happy, Nancy
Love your video! Metalworker by trade, blacksmith by hobby. I do have one error to point out, which is actually a pretty big one. Around 14:30 you talk about the spark test and use a piece of the W-1 and "mild steel" scissors as comparison. Your scissors are actually made of a chrome-moly steel (a type of stainless steel). Mild steel would have a very similar spark profile to the tool steel, except longer sparks with less feathers and star bursts.
As I said, great video! It's helped point me in the right direction on adding repousse to my skill set. I'll devour the rest of your videos in the next several days and take what I need from them.
Hi Nancy. First of all, I love your videos! Don't ever stop doing them!
And second, I would love to know how to make my own tubings as you mention in the hinges video. I would be very grateful if you do that tutorial. =D
-Naty
WAY TO GO, NANCY. SAVED ME A LOT OF RESEARCH.
THANKS......... CHOCTAWMAN
a bit of a suggestion for ya, get a hobbiest hack saw for cutting your steel instead of using your expensive jewelers saw blades. they are a lot more aggressive and wont wear out nearly as fast.
Hello gloflyer, Thank you so much for the wonderful comment. You’ve made me a happy woman. Keep up the good work and thanks for watching! Nancy
Great vid, helping me for making DIY chasing tools !
Thank you, Nancy !
Hi Trek,
I'm putting a link for W1, O1 square rod and W1 drill rod above, in my comment area. Sizes for most tools run: 1/8", 5/32", 1/4". Whether you use W1 or O1 is a personal choice. Same for square or round stock. In a perfect world, you would have some round and square. Try square and if you like it - stick with it. If not, try round. You can also look at pre-made tools and choose a size you like. Most suppliers list the diameters/widths of the stock. Hope this helps. Nancy
Hi Naty, It is on the list. Thanks for the great comment. N
Hi Lucas, I usually do work in millimeters but, this time it didn't happen. Of course, when I use mm's, I usually say cm's and everyone gets confused. I'm an aged person with limited brain power! I wish the US would switch to the metric system. Much, much easier to work with - much! So, the tool size that fits my hand is 9cm. Thanks for reminding me and thanks for writing. Take care, N
Wow, I also agree that you are amazing. I have watched a few of your other videos, and they are all very good and informative. Thank you so much. I love your jewelry!!!! But especially your expertise.
Interesting overview of Chasing and Reposse. Making tools is a plus.
Downside is I get seasick trying to watch! Do you folks know what a tripod is?! Way too much swaying on the video.
Thank you for the info - an interesting subject.
Love ya, Nancy L T Hamilton! Thanks so much for another very well done and detailed tutorial.
Appreciating you!! Thanks for all the good info!
Wonderful videos! I am struggling to find any suppliers or W1 or A1 steel in the UK - I can only find O1 and it seems to be available only in flats or rods that are minimum 16mm thick. Would this steel be known by anything else? Or is there another kind of steel I can use? Thanks!
Nevermind - I found it! For anyone in the UK, it's known as silver steel here and easily available
Nancy, do you buy high speed steel, tool steel or mild steel please?
Question: When you cool it and flip it over, is that because the pliers you're using leaches the heat, and cools it too quickly? Why can't you just flip it, and do it at the same time?
Will 'Perlite' work for cooling the steel slowly?
Hello Naty, Thank you so much for the wonderful comment. You’ve made me a happy woman. I will keep that in mind for a future video! I always appreciate video suggestions. Thanks for watching! Nancy
Just curious: How about grinding the "corners" on the square stock, in order to make them more comfortable? Also: I absolutely love your "saw sounds"...
For some reason, those three stages of conditioning the steel makes me think of Goldilocks...
You are absolutely right. I was a chaser for Towle Silversmiths for 8 years. Holding the tools all day without any discomfort. I was taught to grind and file the corners to make them more comfortable to hold.
I think this could be done with case-hardened mild steel, for those who don't have any access to tool steel.
Gonna make a few out of mild steel to see how it works.
Thank for such great videos.
Hello Mr Strube. I believe I mention grinding the corners off in video two. Due to my advanced state of senility, I forgot to mention it at the right time and instead, mentioned it at the wrong time.
I do not get the Goldilocks connection except for the number three. It must be the weather that is affecting your brain. Too much sun, perhaps? How's the grand daughter? Email me some pictures - it's been a awhile and she must be walking by now. N
Not those cheap scissors. They were from the dollar store or something like that. Thanks for the comment. N
Where do you get the steel ? I've seen steel rods at home depot and low's is this the same kind .if not where can i order it or get it ?
Can you use sand to slow down the cooling process?
Can I just say, you're the best? :) Taking classes from you would be a hoot. I'm taking chasing now at Austin Community College, and I have a date with the belt sander next week. Making some tools is my next assignment O_O This info makes it less intimidating, so thank you!
Thank you. You are amazing.
You are great... great... thanks
You are great... great...
Just one thing.. please say the length in centimeters too... inches is not used in most part of the world.
i went to the site but their is so much to choose from, how do i do it ?
Hey everyone - for some reason - that I cannot fathom - I am no longer getting notifications of comments left on TH-cam. I am so confused and very sorry if I have been lax in responding to y'all. Time to call tech son. Nancy
I subbed. You’re kind of a badass. I really dig all your videos!
Oh, dang it. I tend to watch these series in order so I hadn't gotten to part two when I suggested that...oh, and the Goldilocks thought was cuz of the "not too hard, not too brittle...) Weak, I know...
Hi again Trek! I would ask someone who works there to let you know if it is W1 or O1 steel. If so, then you are good to go. Talk to you soon. N
Yep, it is. I still haven't finished reading it! N
i like her she is informative & funny
I just looked at onlinemetals and it didn’t seem that cheap. $65-72 for a 3/4” wide 36” rod.
Hi there. Buy a set of cheap cold chisels. They tend to be made of good enough steel for this sort of use. And they come in all sorts of diameters and shapes. High tensile bolts are also a good source of decent materials.
toiletpaper mittens thank you.
Anyone needing such metal rods for making tools.
Afterall, softer metals will ve chased requiring a little tougher tools.
Car junk yards and engine reconditioners are full of disused or very cheap engine push rods, shock absorber rods.
Some elbow grease on power tools in abundance will help on your tool journey as ( improvised ) resource, instead of spending big on shop prices.
you are my favorite!!!
"the difference between mild and tool steel"
But scissors will be made from a hard, essentially tool steel, and the other thing you were grinding was tool steel. Where's the mild steel?
Hi Nancy , I really enjoy watching your videos I like very much your voice tone and your positive attitude it is always a pleasure. Im a stain steel jewelery and your tips are very useful to me . Im now into repoussè and . thank you. here is my Facebook site. facebook.com/ehuipersonalizado . Gracias .
I'm glad you have these videos because I was looking at how much chasing and repoussé tools cost and I figured I'd never be able to afford them lol
Artists and craftspeople do create, since beginning of need. This is their forte. Improvise, impovise if unable to afford proper tools. Tool steel: why not buy used/ old carpenters' chisels. There must be friendly ppl you can see to assist in shaping these into tool blanks. Retired peoples' centres who would be delighted to assist. Thinking laterally and sourcing steel from junk yards/metal recyclers, garage sales could be a good source. Never give up in discovering things and people as resource avenues. Even rusty 6" nails coukd be a start.
gd luck.