Contents
Jewelry Tools and Materials
General Suppliers
- Beadaholique – Los Angeles, CA. Beadaholique TV, Instruction, Beading Supplies and Tools, Crystal, Stampings, Filigree, Chain, Tools, Butane Torches. Mostly basic jewelry tools.
- Beaducation – Redwood City, CA. Tools, Supplies, Video Education. Metals, Bracelet Blanks, Stamping Blocks, Riveting, Charms, Beads, Leather, Enamel, Patinas, Resin, etc.
- Contenti – Pawtucket, RI. Jewelry Tools, Supplies, Metal (Brass, Copper, Nickel Silver, Pewter), Metal Clay, Wire, Casting Alloys, Rolling Mills, Findings, etc.
- Esslinger – Saint Paul, MN. Jewelry making tools and supplies. Watchmaker’s supplies and tools. Gemology tools. Gemstones, findings, display and packaging, engraving, engraving plates.
- Eurotool – Grandview, Missouri. Jewelry tools and supplies. Sterling, brass and nickel silver pattern wire, copper, red brass, nickel silver, cut-out shapes. Torches, vises, hammers, pattern hammers, anvils, etc.
- FDJ On Time – Winter Park, Florida. Jewelry Making Tools, Polishing, Metal Working, Metal Clay, Beading, Mold Making, Classes, etc.
- Fire Mountain Gems – Grants Pass, Oregon. Jewelry Supplies and Materials, Instruction, Artists Gallery, Videos, Wire Working Supplies, Stringing Supplies, Crystals, Beads,
- Gesswein – Bridgeport, Connecticut. They also have sales through their Canadian location at Gesswein Canada. Jewelry tools and supplies. Watch tools and batteries. Wild fowl carving tools. (Slightly) Used tools.
- GS Supplies – Rochester, N.Y. Jewelry supplies. Hobby and Craft Supplies. Beading, Ceramics, Collecting, Doll Making, Miniatures, Model Building, Paper Craft Railroading, Rocks/Minerals, Watches/Clocks, Woodworking.
- Jewelry Supply.Com – Roseville, CA. Crystals, Pendants, Chains, Cabochons, Beads, Wire, Jewelry Tools, Waxworking Supplies, Burs, Bits, Safety, etc.
- Metalliferous – New York, NY. Big metal supplier. Lots of different shapes, sizes and thicknesses of sheet, wire, tubing, etc. Copper and brass stampings, nuts and bolts and other strange things are available here.
- Naja Tools – Denver, Colorado. Jewelry Making tools and supplies. Metal forming, Metals, Wire, Findings, Pattern Sheets, Chemicals, Display and Packaging, etc.
- Otto Frei – Oakland, CA. Metal, Tools, Materials, Findings. Otto Frei offers many different tools and materials that are not available at Rio Grande. The people who work there are great. Used Tools.
- Pepe Tools – Oklahoma City, OK. Bench tools, Casting, Cutting Tools, Metal Forming, Wax Working, Rolling Mills. Instructions and Videos. Tools and supplies sold through dealers only. Contenti, Gesswein, Otto Frei, Stuller, FDJ, RoseCo, Rio Grande, Waymil are dealers.
- Potter USA – Tucson, Arizona. Koil Kutter and Tooling, Hydraulic Presses, Jewelry videos and how-to’s. Stakes and forging tools, Shears, Forges, Pancake Dies, Silhouette Dies, Miland Jewelry Tools. Copper Sheet.
- Reactive Metals – Clarkdale, Arizona. Get your Niobium, Titanium, Anodizers, Mokume Gane, Bi-Metal, Alloys, Patinas, Nuts and Bolts, Taps and Dies, Chris’s Cables, Drill bits and these cool silver things they call Impressions (page 15) here and so much more.
- Rio Grande –Albuquerque, NM. Sheet Metal, Gems, Tools, Enamels and Enameling Supplies, Findings, Finished Jewelry, Packaging, Display, Beads and Stringing Supplies, Resin, Classes, Education, Blog, etc. My main supplier because of their great prices, easily navigable website, great customer service and excellent shipping and turnaround times.
- Roseco, Inc. – Dallas Texas. Wholesale. Jewelry Tools and Supplies. Loose Stones, Findings, Metal, Pearls, Hand Tools, Watch Supplies, Testing Supplies, etc.
- Silver Supplies – Tucson, AZ. Jewelry, Lapidary, Beading, Goldsmiths, Silversmiths, Stone Cutting tools and supplies. Findings, metal, books, etc.
- Stuller – Lafayette, LA. Wholesale only! All types of jewelry tools. Pre Made jewelry, wedding jewelry, refining, metals, mountings, chain and cord, etc.
- Waymil – Doral, Florida. Metals: Nickel, Copper, Nu-Gold, Brass Sheet. Bronze casting grains, Wire, Jewelry Tools: Dapping, Drawplates, Files, Flex shafts, Engraving, Electroplating, Rolling Mills, Safety Products, etc.
- Wholesale Jewelry Supply – Cranston, Rhode Island. Wholesale. Silver, Gold, Rose Gold, Gun Metal, Base Metal, Swarovski, Stainless Steel Chain and Findings, Beads, Very limited tools – mostly metal and supplies, etc.
Gemstone Suppliers
- Best Cut Gems – Ron and Linda’s online store for “one-of-a-kind gems, exotic pearls and custom made jewelry”. Lots of beautiful stones.
- Concave Gems – Award winning gemstone designers: Richard P. Homer, GG and Reginald L. Hulsey, GJG
- Design Associates Jewelry on Ebay – I’ve bought many stones from here. They are always nice and also, affordable (at least the ones I bought!). Many colors and shapes to choose from.
- Enchanted Crystal Cave – my adopted son, Adam runs this shop. He collects unusual stones from around the world.
- JewelSuppliers – Jewelsuppliers from voyages around the world. Cabs, faceted, beads and interesting things.
- Rio Grande – Many types of gemstones. Faceted, cabs, diamonds, CZ’s, beads. Good quality
Individual Tools
Dimplers/Rivet Squeezers
- Hand Dimpling Pliers from Aircraft Tool Supply. Nice tool for making dimples on metal. 3 other sizes of punches and dies can be purchased to use with the tool. Dimple sizes are: 3/32″, 1/8″, 5/32″, 3/16″. $35.95 US as of 3/15.
- FDJ On Time Dimpler Pliers
- Dimpler Plier – Amazon, by Eurotool
- Eurotool – Dimple Pliers
Dapping Sets
- Harbor Freight Dapping set
- Rio Grande, Various Dapping sets
- Please see my webpage: Punches and Daps for more information and links.
Hammers
- Ball Pein Hammer, 2oz – Rio Grande
- Bonny Doon Urethane Forming Hammer – Rio Grande
- French Riveting Hammer – Rio Grande
- Fretz Hammers – at Fretz Design, Otto Frei, Rio Grande, FDJTool, Cool Tools, etc.
- Peddinghaus Hammers – at Rio Grande, FDJTool, Otto Frei, etc.
- Rawhide Mallet, 6oz – Rio Grande
- Value Line Silversmiths Hammers at Otto Frei
Hand Notchers
Flex Shafts
- Harbor Freight Flex Shaft
- Foredom Flex Shafts (1 of many)
- Foredom 18 Quick-Change HandPiece (Rio Grande)
- A variety of different Quick-Change HandPieces (Rio Grande)
- Please see my page on: Flex Shafts, Dremels and Drilling Tools, for tons of links and information.
Mandrel Holders
- Mandrel Holder – Rio Grande
- Universal or Turret Mandrel Holder – Contenti
- Please see my page on Mandrel Holders for many more links and other fabulous information!
Mandrels
- Mojave Southern Machine Works – Blacksmiths and Forge Supply
- Please see my page on Rings, Bracelet and Bezel Mandrels for many more links and other fabulous information.
Miter Cutting Vise
- Miter Cutting Vise, pricey but good – Rio Grande
- Miter Cutting Vise, 45°, 60° and 90° angles, less pricey – Rio Grande
- Miter Cutting Vise, Economy – Rio Grande
- Still waiting for a wider one, people!
- Please see my page: Miter Cutting Vice Jig for more links and information.
Punches and Daps
- Please see my page on Punches and Daps for more information on suppliers and instruction. Also, check out the many jewelry suppliers listed above under: Jewelry Tools and Materials, above.
Riveting
- Gauge for Drill Bits and Screws – Micro-Mark
- Tube Riveting Set by Tim Lazure
- Please see my page on Riveting for more information.
Shears
- Jilson Monodex Shear, part no. JS12 from Aircraft Tool Supply. Will cut mild steel up to 18 gauge. You can get some interesting effects with this tool.
Tube Cutting
- Bergeon Tubing Cutters – Rio Grande
- Four Angle Tubing Cutter – Rio Grande
- Tube Holding and Cutting Pliers – Rio Grande
Tumblers
- Dura-BULL Single-Barrel Rotary Tumbler Kit – Rio Grande
- Harbor Freight 3 lb Tumbler
- Harbor Freight Dual Drum Rotary Rock Tumbler
- Harbor Freight Vibrator/Tumbler 5 lb.
- Harbor Freight Vibratory Bowl 18 lb.
- Lortone 3A Single Barrel Tumbler (at Amazon)
- Lortone 33 B (2 Barrel) Rock Tumbler (at Amazon)
- Raytech TV-10 Vibratory Tumbler – Rio Grande
Hi Chase, That’s an interesting question. I’m assuming you are talking about the hammer handpiece? I use mine with both my Harbor Freight flex shaft and my Foredom. They both work. As to buying the cheaper model of flex shaft: There are a few things to ponder on. Can you afford the better quality one? The Foredom is a better tool that will last longer. But, if you’re tight on money – the Harbor Freight version works fine. I’ve had three HF’s for about 9 years. Rio Grande also offers a flex shaft by Prodigy for $100.00 (http://www.riogrande.com/Product/Prodigy-Flex-Shaft-System/117095?pos=17). I’ve not used it though so, I cannot give you my opinion. Good luck and enjoy whatever you purchase. Nancy
hey nancy,
i was wondering if you know if the auto hammer extension for foredom flexshafts would fit a harbor freight chicago flexshaft…because i m looking for a flexshaft (dremel just aint cutting it) and if most other extensions fit it i will get the cheaper harbor freight….do you think this is wise or should i just get the foredom