Enameling Suppliers

There are many supplies and tools that are important to creating good enamel pieces. I will list many of the supplies here that I use for my enamels, but keep in mind that not all of these will be useful for everyone. I think that what works for me will not necessarily work for others. Further, there are typically several different ways to accomplish the same thing.

The way this list is organized is by the items used from beginning to end. I may change this at some point but at first thought it seems like this way it’ll be easier to visualize why the tools are needed and when they might be useful, rather than having a giant list.

Lastly, for the most part I will keep the explanations for the supplies here pretty limited. My intent is that this is simply a list of items, and their respective uses can be located elsewhere in my procedure documents.

List of Supplies

Design & Resist

Drawing Software
- We use Illustrator mostly, but anything else is fine
Laser Printer
- I use a Brother brand printer
Press-n-Peel transfer paper
- techniks.com
Blue Painter’s Tape
Heat Transfer Press
- Typically used for T-shirts
- a clothes iron also works
Testor’s Enamel Paint
- anything but Metallic
Paint brushes, scribes, etc.

Etching

Ferric Chloride
Closed Foam Insulation Block
- Basically - get something that floats and doesn’t absorb liquid
Plastic container (cut the foam/insulataion so that it fits in these)
- Chinese take out containers are great. Can also find on Amazon.
Double-sided carpet tape
2” packing tape
Sodium Carbonate (soda ash), or Sodium Bicarbonate
Green scrub pads
- useful for removing resist
Penny Brite
- clean the metal and degrease before enameling
Toothbrushes

Enameling

Kiln
- I use a Paragon XPRESS-Q-11A.
- torch firing also works but it’s inconsistent and hard to control the temp
Mesh firing rack
Kiln fork
Kiln glasses
Ceramic tiles
Vitreous powder enamel (leaded or unleaded)
- lump enamel is also fine
Fine brushes
Application/inlay tools
- I use scribes, brushes, and a wooden dowel with a darning needle
2oz plastic condiment containers
Water
Klyr Fire
- enamel adhesive
Plastic squirt bottle

Sanding and Polishing

Sodium Bisulfate (pickle)
- 10oz solid with 1qt water
- used to remove fire scale and other oxidation
150 grit alundum stone
220 grit alundum stone
400+ sandpaper
- I go up to 1000 grit. Higher is fine
Spray high gloss polyurethane
- Finish the enamels and make them shiny

Shop Tools and Supplies

Note: These are not all entirely necessary for just enameling.

Dapping block
Rubber or Nylon mallet
Jeweler’s Saw and blades
Drill
Riveting hammer, chasing hammer
Metal
- Copper, brass, nickel silver, etc.
Chasing / Repousse tools
Torch (Acetylene-Air)
Flex Shaft
Pitch bowl w/ pitch

Where to Obtain Supplies

General purchasing information. There are several different online vendors that are useful for enameling, so cataloging them all in one place is helpful for parsing through.

-   riogrande.com
    -   copper metal (18ga max)
    -   jewelry creation materials (saw, birds beak, etc.)
-   contenti.com
    -   pitch bowl and gravers (for engraving)
    -   dapping block (doming medallions)
-   thompsonenamel.com
    -   general enameling supplies
    -   some metal (riogrande seems to be better)
    -   enamel tools (glass brush, kiln fork, etc.)
    -   metal foil
-   e-namels.com
    -   large amount of leaded and lead-free enamels from various
        manufacturers
-   paragonweb.com
    -   kiln
    -   kiln stuff
-   amazon.com
    -   ferric chloride
    -   general supplies
-   https://closeoutjewelryfindings.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=1970
    -   copper chains for creating necklaces
-   https://closeoutjewelryfindings.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=947
    -   steel rope chain, 250ft. 
-   https://www.fusionbeads.com/Base-Metal-Bar-Pin-Silver?size=63
    -   pin backs to make pins
-   https://www.fusionbeads.com/round-artistic-wire?gauge=7
    -   wire to create pins
    -   10 or 12 gauge