Taking a Class #2

Pre-Class – Gathering Tools

June 1 Anticipation – Isn’t this the best part of preparing for a trip or a class? I rummage through the garage looking for the odd tool left lying on the bench. I have two double-decker, rolling toolboxes and two smaller hand-carry toolboxes. The rolling boxes are the best for going to classes. Everything fits inside and the boxes fit in the back of my vehicle. I sort through the tool boxes, the books, and the magazines and printed instructions. I think I am in good shape for this class because I own a jump ring maker with mandrels for making the jump rings and a cutting bar that utilizes my flex shaft. I spent the prior weekend cleaning and oiling my Foredom flex shaft. This will greatly speed up the production of ring making. The shape of the cut may have an effect on the fusing, so I will not cut many up ahead without experimenting with fusing first.
Memory Lane – I found my materials from a previous one day beginner class in loop-in-loop. It was a fun class and I remember winding the fine silver around mandrels. I love working with fine silver – it does not tarnish! Even when the heat is applied to it. Cutting the fine silver into rings, laying the cut rings onto the charcoal blocks, carefully heating the silver rings with an acetylene torch until the ring fuses closed. Then the rings are elongated and woven to make the chains. Somewhere should be the flush cutters and loop stretching pliers that I bought after my first L-in-L class. The flush cutters will cut wire flat or flush on one side. Most cutters will result in a point or burr cut on both sides.
June 2 Email arrives from instructor with tools and materials list. The email suggests we bring the charcoal block and sharp small scissors to the first class and there is a book. I already own the book and a charcoal block but not the special kind of charcoal block specified.
June 5-6 Competition for supplies has begun. I call the local supply store #1 for the special charcoal block and he has it in stock, but proclaims he does not have the book. But by the next day, local store #1 has sold out of charcoal blocks to my other class mates. Fortunately, local store #2 still has the special charcoal block. This is an expensive charcoal block, so I only buy one… I am supposed to buy two. I may regret this decision. From local store #1, I buy a few small tools that I either don’t have or can’t find. So far, I spent about $36 on small tools and charcoal.
June 7 Anti-theft – I have newly purchased tools and tools from my different tool boxes. Now they need to be identified as belonging to me. All too often, my tools disappear in class or I go off in a rush and leave them behind. The best method is to etch a mark with a vibrating tool. The alternative method is any mark that is difficult to remove. I use fingernail polish, always the same color. I know this could be removed, but it will prevent accidental loss. Indelible markers or label makers are also useful. I will install locks on my large tool boxes this year. I’m also going to use an apron with pockets as an anti-loss prevention method. Making jewelry involves many trips to/from the solder bench from my workstation. I plan to carry my small tools with me in the apron pockets when possible.