My general rule when buying anything that cuts is to buy the best quality that I can find. So for example I buy fairly cheap saw frames but the saw blades that I use are Vallorbe, a very good quality Swiss make. My files are also Vallorbe. However, I also like to find things that I can "repurpose" - for example my quench pot is a plastic icecream tub (I just replace it when needed!) and I use an old slow cooker as my pickle pot.
Basic silversmithing equipment:
Solder – hard, medium, easy
Flux if not using solder paste – either borax cone or liquid flux
Borax ceramic dish – if using borax flux
Paint brush to apply flux
Tungsten solder probe – to help apply solder (optional)
Safety pickle
Brass or plastic tongs
Insulated reverse action pliers
Saw frame and blades
Beeswax
Needle files (cut 2/medium grade)
6” flat file & handle (cut 2/medium grade)
6” half round file & handle (cut 2/medium grade)
Hand drill & drill bits (I find 0.9mm and 0.5mm the most useful sizes)
Fire brick
Quench pot
Hammers – raw hide & also metal hammers for texturing
Required for making bangles and rings:
Bangle sizers
Bangle mandrel
Ring sizers
Ring mandrel
Required for wirework:
Round nosed pliers
Flat nosed pliers
Flush cutters
Some UK Suppliers:
Cookson Gold – www.cooksongold.com
Suttons Tools – www.suttonstools.co.uk
Rashbel – www.rashbel.com
