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Complete Metalsmith: Professional Edition
Pros: This text covers alot of techniques, has a good intro into metallurgy, and it has a great appendix.Cons: There are no photos, all of the illustrations are drawn so it makes it hard to really understand how to perform some of the techniques. Also, since the text covers so many different things it usually only devotes one or two pages for each technique.Overall, it is a good book to introduce you to techniques, but for the most part it does not go into enough detail to reproduce them. If it had photos rather than drawings it would be close to perfect.
Complete Metalsmith: Professional Edition
The Good: Complete Metalsmith by Tim McCreight is an excellent basic text for the beginner jewelry maker. Overall it should probably be purchased by every hobbyist with an interest in working with metal in jewelry making.The Bad: Too much subject matter is condensed to a single page or even a single paragraph. Topics such as gold leaf and its application and enameling are much more complex than the single page definitions Mr. McCreight offers his readers.The Ugly: Because metal smithing goes beyond the simple jewelry making techniques and methods described in this book, Mr. McCreight chose a very misleading title for this book. Additionally many of the methods and techniques described fit better in a basement crafter's arsenal than in a professional metal smith's shop.
Complete Metalsmith: Professional Edition
This is the best introductory metalsmithing reference book that I have come across so far. McCreight uses basic language and simple images to build understanding of everything from tools to wax casting and includes useful element facts from melting point to purity expectation in an accessible way. The Complete Metalsmith works well as in establishing the base steps for projects and is a essential tool in my little workshop.
Complete Metalsmith: Professional Edition
There are a lot of great books on the market for metalsmiths and jewelry makers but this is one of the best. If you are going to buy one book, make this the one. Even if you are going to buy a bunch of books, this is the perfect first one.The Complete Metalsmith by Tim McCreight is the bible for metalworking. It is written as a technical reference book covering physical properties of different metals, basic instructions for almost every jewelry making technique imaginable, and even great extras like basic plans for a jeweler's bench that can easily be modified to fit your space and needs. Just about every tool and piece of equipment imaginable is covered with a good description of basic use and an illustrations. Issues of safety are also thoroughly covered.This is not a pretty book full of full color glossy photos. It is not a detailed project book. But it is a great reference book for your bench. If you need simple basic instructions on any technique or tool, it's a great place to look. Tim McCreight is one of the leading authorities on metalsmithing and jewelry making in the country (maybe in the world), so his instructions are accurate and easy to follow.This book is designed to be used at the bench. The hard cover is covered in a very durable canvas-like material. It has a heavy spiral binding enabling it to lay flat on the work bench.This is definitely the best first book for your collection if you are just learning metal working and jewelry making. Even if you have been at it for a while, it is a great book to have in your collection for when you want to expand into a new technique.Definitely a must have!
Complete Metalsmith: Professional Edition
This is a very well written, comprehensive but succinct handbook for anyone from those wanting to start silversmithing to the experienced. It is in my shop and I refer to it often.
Complete Metalsmith: Professional Edition
I would not like to offend anyone. I am myself a serious believer. But this is my little metalsmith bible. For the serious metalsmith that wants an easy to examine reference.