Metal Casting Zone Info Blog

Posts Tagged ‘Equipment’

Chimeneas: The Essential Backyard Equipment

Chimeneas are an alternative to fire pits having similar functions. They are used to provide warmth outdoors and also used for cooking purposes. They possess a huge round bottomed flask-like structure with an exception of a huge opening at one of its sides that acts as the fireplace. They originated thousands of years ago in Mexico and were used by their tribesmen to provide heat on cold winter nights as also to bake breads and other foodstuffs. They often decorate the patio or the deck as ornamental structures when not in use. They are available in different sizes, shapes and styles.

They are provided with a narrow smoke outlet at the top that ensures the release of smoke upwards without causing hindrance to the surrounding environment. They are usually available in metal or clay. Amongst metals, cast iron, copper and cast aluminum are commonly used. The metal versions of chimeneas are usually more durable than the clay version of it simply because clay tends to crackle and crumble when comes across high impact force on its surface. Most basic designs have dimensions that measure up to five feet lengthwise and two feet breadth wise.

They serve so many purposes that they are just the essential add on to your patio or deck. Other than providing heat to the surrounding and being useful in grilling and roasting meat or baked potatoes they can also be used to get rid of mosquitoes by the use of certain varieties of wood known as Pinon wood or Mesquite. They are a great addition to the pool areas, gardens and backyards. You can have family gatherings and also organize parties with friends at the outer portion of your house during the winter season without any hassle by using these proficient and dependable heaters.

Since they come in varied designs, in seasons like summer when you might not need the chimeneas for warmth, they can be used as ornamental structures. All you have to do is cover the top of the chimenea to protect it from dust or other unwanted substances settled in that space. Even if you may have placed the chimenea in a place not prone to fire accidents it is very important that you take necessary precautions when using them. You need to be equipped with fire extinguishers or some water source when you use the chimenea for cooking and grilling purposes. Usually larger chimeneas are a better choice because the bigger the space through which you have to place wood the better it is to handle and manage the fire and you don’t have to chop the wood too fine to fit into smaller holes. Thus having a chimenea can be quite handy all year around for your outdoor living space convenience.

Like any other craft, jewellery making has a list of essential tools that will make your hobby much more enjoyable and your results much more professional. For the beginner it can be confusing as the huge selection of tools available range from the basic to the specialist. However, there are certain jewellery making tools that should have a place in everyone’s studio.

The first thing to look at is your surroundings. Tools don’t just include pliers and cutters – the definition also incorporates things such as adequate lighting, a suitable working area and good storage facilities. Ask any jewellery maker or craftsperson which is the most essential tool of all and they will all tell you the same thing: good lighting. Without adequate lighting you will find it harder to do fine work and you risk straining your eyes. If you have directional lighting make sure that it doesn’t come from behind you, as you will end up casting your own shadow across your work, making it difficult to see fine details.

Once you start making jewellery you will be surprised how quickly you start to accumulate equipment, so apart from having a good working area make sure you have plenty of storage facilities. Findings or bead storage boxes are ideal. They’re strong and compartmentalised, meaning there are plenty of separate sections to keep findings and beads stored safely.

There are three basic types of pliers used for jewellery making; round nose, snipe nose and crimping pliers. Round nose pliers (also known as rosary pliers) have rounded jaws that taper to a point. They are used for bending wire and for making loops, coils and spirals. Snipe nose pliers are semi-round with the inside of the jaws being flat. They are used for bending and wrapping wire, making loops and opening and closing jump rings. Crimping pliers have specially notched jaws that are used to fold and crimp metal crimp beads.

Wire cutters, preferably flushing cutting, are essential for making clean, precise cuts on wire, beading wire, eyepins and headpins. It may be tempting to use a pair of ordinary wire cutters to try and save money, but jewellery wire cutters are designed specifically for use with the different types of wire used in jewellery making. A pair of good wire cutters is an investment that will keep their sharp cutting edge for far longer than a cheaper alternative.

Because you are using tools, safety must be a consideration. A good pair of safety glasses is a wise investment and although you won’t need them for simple projects such as stringing beads, cutting wire can produce small chips that can damage the eyes very easily. You will also need to consider other safety measures if you are using glues and adhesives, so ensure that your working area is well ventilated. If you are using any heat (such as kilns or gas burners) then ensure that your jewellery making equipment includes a heatproof surface to stand hot objects on.

Finding a good supplier is your next task. There are plenty of jewellery equipment suppliers, so the first thing is to find one that has a reputation not just for supplying the hobby market, but for supplying the professionals as well. You can be certain that the equipment they supply will be of the highest standard. It is a case of paying for quality, but the bare essentials such as the three basic pliers and a pair of wire cutters will give you a good starting point. From then you can add equipment as you go along, including magnifying work lights, speciality pliers, reamers and, of course, plenty of books on jewellery making!

I have several pounds of sterling silver and some casts that I want to pour melted silver into to make original jewelry. I’ve searched for equipment to melt the silver but just keep finding suggestions like “using a torch.” I thought maybe there is a pot or kettle melting system that I’ve yet to discover. All your help is so greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance!