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New Tools - Pendant Frosting Wheels



I succumbed recently. 
Yes anyone who receives emails from jewellery supply company Cookson Gold will know what I'm talking about - daily promotional emails telling of wonderful sales and discounts that are sometimes really hard to ignore ----- 10% off silver sheet and wire/20% off tools/find all the Easter eggs hidden on the website to discover the code you can use to get 15% off your order.......
Most of the time I hit the delete button but sometimes I have to take a quick look on the website just in case......

Which is how I ended up with the flick mops in this photo - or pendant frosting wheel as they are called on Cookson's website . They are used to give metal a satin or matt finish but they could also double up as instruments of torture {must remember that...}





You use them with a Foredom/Dremel or other rotary tool but you do need to be able to control the speed as it's recommended you don't go over 6000 rpm when using them otherwise the metal pins may go flying.

I've found the best way to use them is to hold them so that the ends of the pins just catch the metal as the frosting wheel spins. It's recommended that you wear eye protection when using the wheels. I wear glasses when I'm doing close up stuff which will protect my eyes and I also angle the metal and my flex shaft over to my left side as I'm using the wheels so if any of the pins do flick off they aren't going to give me an unplanned acupuncture session in the face :D

This is the effect they produce on metal.

 


The texture on copper using the medium wheel.



The texture using the coarse wheel. Pressing a bit harder on the metal with the wheel will give you a slightly different look producing a more scratched texture.
You can go over the area several times to build up the texture and change the direction. You can also tape off areas to produce contrasting textures of satin and smooth metal.
I've also used the satin texture on the backs of earrings as the texture does cover light scratches and I find a textured metal surface much easier to finish than a smooth one especially if you use LOS.

Overall I'm very happy with the frosting wheels and know I will get a lot of use out of them.
○○○
A friend recently sent me a link to this very good and very funny YouTube video - When Parents Find Out Their Daughter Makes Jewelry. 
Please watch it - I guarantee it will make you laugh out loud :D








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Comments

  1. DeborahRead.comThursday, April 14, 2016

    Those are really cool- I like that texture - and yes its hard to say no to tools - but sometimes the right tool makes making the piece so much easier - I will have to check out to see if rio has them on this side of the ocean - will love to see what you make with it

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownThursday, April 14, 2016

    LMAO! Thanks for the video. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cinnamon JewelleryFriday, April 15, 2016

      It's great isn't it, I've watched it about 4 times now :D

      Delete
  3. Miss Val's CreationsThursday, April 14, 2016

    The frosted texture is fabulous! Great new tool. I love the youtube clip. That cracks me up that someone came up with it!

    ReplyDelete
  4. littlecherryhillSaturday, April 16, 2016

    That little tool looks great!! Wonder if I can get one over here.....I absolutely loved that video, it was hilarious!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Silver Moss JewelleryTuesday, April 19, 2016

    I too try and delete the emails before I get too tempted! I also try and only order new tools when I order more silver ;) But those frosting wheels give such an amazing effect no wonder you gave in - your work shows it was work it!
    Love the video too, very funny ;)

    ReplyDelete
  6. UnknownMonday, April 25, 2016

    I love my frosting wheel (or death wheel as I call it!) I've only got the fine one which is a bit subtle sometimes so I think I need to get the more coarse ones (any excuse) :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cinnamon JewelleryMonday, April 25, 2016

      "Death Wheel" - I like it! I'm liking the effect you get from the medium frosting of death wheel the most so yes, Claire, you should get one :D

      Delete
  7. AnonymousMonday, October 02, 2017

    Hi

    See also

    https://www.moleroda.com/product/jewellery-flick-wheels-minimat-pendant-motors/

    With these guys you can buy spare needles so that you do not have to buy a new unit every time the needles get worn.

    I am not a jeweller, actually hand making artisan lighting products but similar needs to jewllers in terms of fnishes.

    Kind regards
    Jon

    ReplyDelete

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