The Bench Journal

A pendant-motor handpiece holding a small bur over a silver sheet
Drilling holes and using burs at the bench: a beginner's guide
Drilling and burring is where the bench gets its first taste of power tools, and where a lot of beginners either snap expensive burs or skate a drill bit across... Read more...
A fan of needle files of different shapes laid on linen
Needle files explained: cuts, shapes, and which to buy first
A file is the most-used tool on the jewellery bench and the one beginners think about least. People will agonise over which hammer to buy, then grab any old file... Read more...
A jeweller's saw frame mid-cut on a sheet of brass on a V-slot bench pin
How to use a jeweller's saw without snapping blades
Piercing — sawing shapes out of sheet metal with a fine-bladed frame saw — is the first real skill every bench jeweller learns, and it's the one that humbles everyone.... Read more...
Make a Stamped Disc Pendant
Make a Stamped Disc Pendant: A Beginner Bench Project
Your first finished piece in an afternoon: cut a disc, stamp it, give it a gentle dome and polish. Here is the whole project, step by step. Read more...
Forming Stakes & Anvils
Forming Stakes & Anvils: An Intro to Raising and Planishing
Stakes are the shapes you hammer metal against. Here is how raising and planishing work, and the first stake worth owning. Read more...
Parallel-Action Pliers
Parallel-Action Pliers: What They Do & When You Need Them
Standard pliers pivot like scissors and dig in. Parallel pliers close dead flat — here is why that changes how you hold and bend metal. Read more...
Buying second-hand jewellery tools in the UK
Buying second-hand jewellery tools in the UK — estate sales, eBay, and what to inspect
Buying second-hand jewellery tools in the UK offers significant savings for bench jewellers and silversmiths. Learn where to find quality kit and what to inspect to avoid costly… Read more...
Why jeweller's saw blades snap
Why jeweller's saw blades snap — causes, fixes, blade choice
Stop jeweller's saw blades snapping by understanding the common causes and applying simple, effective fixes. Master tension, blade choice, and technique for smoother sawing. Read more...
Pricing your jewellery
Pricing your jewellery — trade vs retail, the working maker's formula
Mastering jewellery pricing means moving beyond simple formulas to a robust system that covers all costs and reflects your true value, ensuring sustainable profit for makers. This… Read more...
Anti-tarnish strategies for sterling silver
Anti-tarnish strategies for sterling silver — workshop, storage, and finished work
Protect your sterling silver creations from tarnish with practical workshop, storage, and finishing strategies. Learn how to keep your inventory bright and ensure customer… Read more...
Soldering station setup for a UK home workshop
Soldering station setup for a UK home workshop — ventilation, fire safety, kit layout
Setting up a safe and efficient soldering station at home is crucial for UK jewellers and silversmiths. This guide covers essential ventilation, fire safety, and kit organisation… Read more...
Choosing a benchtop drill press for jewellery
Choosing a benchtop drill press for jewellery — small but accurate
A benchtop drill press is a small but mighty tool for jewellers needing repeatable accuracy. Learn what specs truly matter to ensure precise hole placement on your precious metals. Read more...
Stamping vs engraving your maker's mark
Stamping vs engraving your maker's mark — which to use
Choosing how to mark your work is crucial for registration and brand identity. This guide explores stamping, engraving, and laser options to help UK silversmiths make informed… Read more...
Wax carving for ring making
Wax carving for ring making — tools and method
Mastering wax carving for ring making unlocks a world of design possibilities for lost-wax casting. Learn the essential tools and techniques to bring your visions to life. Read more...
Anvil care
Anvil care — keeping your bench surface rust-free in a UK workshop
Protect your anvil's working surface from the UK's persistent humidity with a practical, consistent care routine. Learn how to prevent rust and maintain its integrity for years of… Read more...
Sawing tight curves in silver sheet
Sawing tight curves in silver sheet — blade choice + bench technique
Mastering tight curves in silver sheet with a piercing saw demands precision in blade choice and bench technique. Achieve accurate fine cuts and intricate designs consistently. Read more...
Filing technique
Filing technique — clean edges every time
Mastering filing techniques ensures clean edges on all your jewellery projects, leading to a professional finish. Learn how to achieve crisp lines and smooth surfaces consistently. Read more...
Riveting cold connections
Riveting cold connections — joining without solder
Discover the art of riveting for strong, solder-free joins, ideal for mixed metals and intricate designs. Master this versatile technique for durable, aesthetically pleasing cold… Read more...
Hallmarking your work at the Birmingham Assay Office
Hallmarking your work at the Birmingham Assay Office — what to expect
Hallmarking your silver work at the Birmingham Assay Office is required before you sell silver above the exemption weight described as silver, so understand the process from registration to return.... Read more...
Engraving tools
Engraving tools — burins and gravers for working jewellers
Mastering hand engraving with burins and gravers unlocks intricate detailing for jewellers. This guide focuses on selecting, sharpening, and using your first engraving tools for… Read more...
Loupes for jewellers
Loupes for jewellers — 10x, 20x or 30x and when to use each
Choosing the right jeweller's loupe is fundamental for detailed work, impacting accuracy and efficiency, from initial stone assessment to final finishing touches. Magnification… Read more...
Polishing jewellery
Polishing jewellery — a working buff, mop and compound guide
Mastering the mirror finish on silver requires a systematic approach to buffing compounds and mops, ensuring a professional, showroom-ready gleam. This guide demystifies the… Read more...
A banded agate cabochon being set into a fine silver bezel on a ring
Bezel setting for beginners: tools and step-by-step
A bezel is the friendliest way into stone setting: a wall of metal that wraps around a cabochon and gets pushed over its edge to hold it. No claws to... Read more...
How to make jump rings at home
How to make jump rings at home — bench technique that scales
Mastering jump ring creation at home offers bench jewellers unparalleled control over their work, enabling consistent, precise components for any project. This guide details… Read more...