The Metal Clay Toolbox

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You are here: Home > getting started in metal clay > The Metal Clay Toolbox

The Metal Clay Toolbox

There are tools that are needed at different stages of creation in metal clay. You will need some tools only when the clay is wet, others when dry, and still others only after firing or for finishing.

Many tools used in metal clay work can be gathered from around the house and from other crafts. Tools originally intended for ceramics, wood carving, stamping, polymer clay, metalsmithing, beading, wax carving, culinary arts, graphic arts and even the dental industry are all at home in a metal clay studio. In fact, anything that makes an impression that you like can become a metal clay tool.

Below is a list of the tools that are used in working with metal clay. All of these tools do not need to be purchased immediately, and some you may not ever need. But some tools are essential for certain types of projects. For instance, if you want to make rings, you'll need at least some of the tools listed under Ring Making Tools.

Since there are so many tools used in creating with metal clay, we have broken them down into simple categories so you can become familiar with them. For a beginner, all you will need are the Basic Tools for forming, shaping and finishing. You can find those in the first row. After the basics, anything you add to your toolbox from there will expand the options of the jewelry that you can make. The remaining blocks are a list of tools you will need in addition to the basics for a specific technique or type of jewelry.


Basic Toolkit - Forming	Basic Toolkit - Shaping	Basic Toolkit - Finishing
Ball Burnishers CoolSlip Clay Shaper - Taper Point Needle Tool Paint Brush - Red Sable #3 Paint Brush - Red Sable #5 Roller & Spacers Slik, Claymate or Balm Snake Maker Tissue Blade Tweezers - Steel Curved Worksurface	Bench Block - Rubber Needle Files Salon Boards Sponge Sanding Pads	Brass Brush Chain Nose Pliers Curved Burnisher Drills Flush Cut Nippers Needle Files Patina Brush Patina Gel Polishing Papers Scratch Brush

Extras - Forming	Extras - Shaping	Extras - Finishing
Clay Shapers - additional tips Drying Forms Drying Tools Extruder Mandrels Pallete Knife Scalpel Shape Cutters Shape Templates Steel Ruler Textures	Carving Tools	Bench Block - Steel Bezel Pusher Bristle Discs & Polishing Points Dapping Block & Punches File Cleaner Flat Nose Pliers Needle Nose Pliers Riveting Anvil Foredom Flex Shaft Polishing Cloth Sanding Sticks Stone Setting Tools Tumbler & Steel Shot Wire Rounding Tool Wood Polishing Mandrel

Firing Tools - Economy	Firing Tools - No limits	Mold Making Tools
Butane or Jewelry Torch Fibergrip Tweezers Firing Surface Firing Dish & Media	Tabletop Jewelry Kiln Firing Dish & Media Fiber Blanket Kiln Posts Kiln Shelf Kiln Shelf Paper	Acrylic Worksurface Cornstarch Flexible Polymer Clay Objects to Mold Mega Mold Silicone RTV Tuff Cards

Stone Setting Tools	Findings	Bench Tools
Bezel Roller Cocktail Straws Curved Burnisher Parallel Jaw Pliers Prong Pusher Stone Setting Burs Stone Setting Pliers Ultra-Smooth Investment	Bezel Cups Bezel Wire Chain Earwire Flat Pad Posts Fine Silver Wire Jumprings Pin Findings Settings Wire	Bench Pin Cut Lube Dapping Blocks Rawhide Mallet Riveting Hammer Goldsmiths Hammer Jewelers' Sawframe Saw Blades Split Mandrels Steel Bench Block Riveting Anvil Mini Horn Anvil Tube Cutting Jig

Ring Making Tools	Embellishments	Soldering Tools
Aluminum Ring Stick Finger Sizing Gauge Freezer Paper Multi-Mandrel Tapered Ring Mandrel Redy Pellets Ring Sizers Ring Pellet Mold	Cubic Zirconia Dichroic Glass Enamels Lab Gems Natural Gems	Ammonia Boric Acid Crosslock Tweezers Denatured Alcohol Dish Soap Fibergrip Tweezers Paste Solder Scotch-Brite Pads Soldering Board Solder Pick Butane or Jewelers Torch Silver-Prep

Gauges & Guides	Vision Aids	Metal Stamping
Digital Gram/Carat Scale Finger Sizing Gauge Ring Stick Metal Ruler	Optivisor Jewelers' Loupe Task Lamp	Bench Block - Steel Metal Design Stamps Utility Hammer