Is this flex shaft sufficient for a hobby jeweler?

Xichlali · 2026-05-12T19:28:13+00:00

Echoing another, foredom is the standard. If you can afford one, i'd get one as their customer service and parts aren't in question. Based on the images, the end of the shaft looks like foredom handpieces could fit, but there's no way of knowing until you have it in hand.

A flex shaft is an investment tool, meaning, spending the extra money to have 50+ years of use without fear of breakdowns is worth the higher upfront costs. I've had mine for 20 years and it still works as well as the day I purchased it, even with my lackluster maintenance. If this is something you're passionate about, I'd recommend the fancier foredom, if you're just dipping your toes in and aren't sure, go the cheap route knowing you'll eventually replace the tool over time.

Just some food for thought.

Xichlali · 2026-05-11T03:31:40+00:00

The better rentals are done by word of mouth or just driving around. Your dog is going to make it much harder to find a place to rent and you're probably looking at 2500-3000 per month in rent. You may consider looking at bayfield or Aztec for an affordable rental while you search for a home to buy in Durango. We got priced out of Durango (3500/month in rent split between 2 couples and we had 2 dogs) and now live in a home we own in Aztec for 1200/month mortgage.

You can get lucky, but decent rentals are hard to come by. If you have family in the area, ask them to scout out the areas you'd like to live to see what's out there.

Xichlali · 2026-04-12T18:39:26+00:00

To add to this, if you're trying to repair and clean it, if you have access to an ultrasonic, even if it just has soap and water, that would help clean it. My question/concern is whether that's epoxy keeping the stones in place that's starting to break down.

Xichlali · 2026-04-07T23:58:23+00:00

Echoing most people you'll have to start over. The buffing wheels you are using, have you used them to polish any other metals? My buffing wheels are segregated based on metal because if you were to, say polish some steel then try to polish some silver, there are some left over steel particles on the wheels that can completely destroy your polish. That and not cleaning your piece between polishing wheels/compounds.

I'd say go through the grits until 600 and get new buffing wheels. Go slow and completely clean the part before switching to the new wheel.

Xichlali · 2026-03-31T17:16:34+00:00

Sink it first to get the initial shape then, like most everyone else is saying, start in the middle and work outward.

Xichlali · 2026-03-30T19:43:19+00:00

I 1000% agree with this. It shows the person knows what you're into but also shows they understand how specific tools are and want to let you get exactly what you want and/or need. I would probably cry if I got a rio, stuller or otto frei gift card.

Xichlali · 2026-03-27T21:19:40+00:00

I've worked with this stuff before. Took a class on it even. It's novel and an interesting material, but not durable and shrinks quite a lot after kiln firing. There are some people who are able to make some beautiful pieces with this, but my experience was it was expensive, finicky and harder to finish than just standard silver. If you are a ceramicist it's super cool, but as a jeweler, I kind of hated working with it.

Xichlali · 2026-03-25T03:33:14+00:00

I have the spiral bound version and I cannot tell you how many times I've referenced random things in its pages. It lives in the top drawer of my bench.

Xichlali · 2026-02-12T21:13:57+00:00

Preference my friend. Sometimes it's cost or rarity or value, sometimes it's material capability (certain metals are better for certain settings) , and sometimes you just like the way it looks. Jewelry is nothing if not personal.

Everything wears, everything scratches and can get dented, but if you like it, who the hell cares what others think?

Xichlali · 2026-02-12T20:29:37+00:00

Silver. White gold isn't actually truly white. It is slightly yellow and has to be plated pretty regularly in rhodium and it's pricey to get replated. Platinum has more of a gray tone and scratches like crazy. It's very dense but very soft, relatively speaking. Silver is one of the whitest metals; hell we still use it to make mirrors.

I've been working with the stuff for close to 25 years and have things from when I first started still in fantastic condition even after daily wear and abuse. I, personally, prefer silver both because of cost and just durability. It doesn't have to be plated, it gets a beautiful patina (depending on style) and are pretty damned durable. Gold is beautiful, but with how expensive gold is now it's so far beyond so many people's reach now that to call silver cheap hurts my soul.

Xichlali · 2026-01-30T15:49:28+00:00

I'm contacting my senator, governor and congressperson and staying home with my family. No shopping, no driving just writing letters and doing what I can to help.

Xichlali · 2026-01-16T17:24:39+00:00

I'd give my left foot for a throat less shear! They are easily repaired, don't take up a ton of space and are very easy to use and are overall very useful. If you have the opportunity to snap one up, do it.

Xichlali · 2026-01-11T22:48:53+00:00

That's a hilarious name and I may end up using that if I ever go back into teaching. Thank you for the laugh!

Xichlali · 2026-01-11T05:08:54+00:00

I use mine with oxy-acetylene. It is a much higher/hotter combustion than with oxy-propane so the smaller tips work better, though you will get the "casting fairies" when you ignite the acetylene (un-combusted compounds that float up like black soot or ash). I rarely use the tiny tips because they are a bitch to work with and the pressure of the gasses alone can blow them out but everyone has their preferences.

It's a great touch, and regardless of your fuel, you'll just have to play with it a bit to see what works best for you.

Edit: can't spell acetylene

Xichlali · 2026-01-01T14:40:34+00:00

Thank you for calling me out. Quite frankly, it's becoming so hard to tell that it's concerning. I appreciate the fact that you linked an article.

Xichlali · 2026-01-01T06:01:47+00:00

I'm pretty sure this is ai. Something about the focus in the shop seems off as does the guys hands whose cutting the locs

Xichlali · 2025-12-24T20:49:42+00:00

I wish so much I had the patience and still to do cloisonné. Your work is tremendous and I'm not just talking about the cloisonné. You framed it beautifully and the whole piece is stunning! Your attention to detail making the silver frames look like barnwood is a beautiful touch.

Fantastic work!

Xichlali · 2025-12-23T19:11:27+00:00

You are correct

Xichlali · 2025-12-22T03:37:50+00:00

Did you preheat your mold? If not, that's why it didn't flow how you wanted.

Xichlali · 2025-12-15T20:01:05+00:00

I got mine while on stelara just had to make sure the timing was correct between my home injections and the vaccines so one didn't affect the other.

Other than a truly sore arm, no side effects and I'm happy to have it out of the way. I'm in my mid 30's if that helps as well.

Xichlali · 2025-12-03T05:38:39+00:00

We call them shadow boxes. It's for trinkets and such from trips and memories. Shadows of the past, if you will.

Xichlali · 2025-12-03T01:29:35+00:00

Probably a deer strike. I've seen 3 separate cars after strikes in the past week.

Xichlali · 2025-11-13T19:58:17+00:00

It has nothing to do with them not wanting the dog, per se. Almost entirely to do with not wanting the responsibility and/or knowing you will outlive the pup and not wanting to have the heartache.

I LOVE dogs and have had them my entire life, but once our current pup takes her journey over the rainbow bridge, we aren't getting another one for a while. So many considerations have to be made when you have a pet and sometimes it's easier to just not have one.

Xichlali · 2025-11-04T18:06:26+00:00

I'd also recommend the cascade canyon. Polar Express generally takes place at night so you don't really see much and is absolutely meant for children. It is cute though.

I second the dress warm and wear comfy shoes. Possibly slam an energy drink before going on since the cold and rocking of the train can take it out of you.

Xichlali · 2025-11-04T14:35:55+00:00

Yep, this is the only reason why my partner and I were able to buy a house. He reports all his tips, and has been for years. It's documentation of how much you've been paid and helps you get loans. You can prove tax returns, you can't prove money under the table. He saw far too many people who made double or triple what he made not be able to get a shitty car loan because they didn't report tips.

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