Sunday, January 17, 2010

Tools are beautiful, too!

I have been so busy with my new Christmas gift that I haven't had time to update my blog. But, here it is - an update as well as a picture of the aforementioned gift. A fabulous bench grinder.

Who would have thought I would be such a tool junkie - certainly not me! But, the more time I spend making jewelry, the more I realize I LOVE the tools that come with it. And this bench grinder is my new favorite. It has two wheels, one a grinding stone and the other a fiber wheel, as well as a flexshaft that comes in handy for all those curves and tight spots. I am still learning how to use it, but that hasn't stopped me from trying all sorts of things.

Using some pre-1982 pennies (they are 95% copper), I flattened some pennies (to see how I do this, check out this post ) and drilled holes in it.
I also flattened some 16 gauge copper wire, smoothed the edges and added some holes to make some copper connectors.
My next entry will be what I make with all these newly created copper components.

1 comment:

A Beaded Affair said...

New tools are so much fun. Finding all the ways you can use them. Looking forward to seeing what you do with the pennies and connectors. Where did you get the grinder?
Hubby loves my jewelry obsession. He gets to shop for me at Home Depot and Harbor Freight. lol
Lois
http://copperwirejewelers.ning.com