Getting Started with a Rolling Mill

[susan]

Do you look at your sheet metal and think it would be cool to imprint a design onto the surface, but are a little cautious about using acids to etch a design or invest in PMC? If so, then a rolling mill might be the tool for you. A mill is just that; a tool. Tools can be daunting, especially when they are as large as a mill or as costly. If these thoughts are yours, then you are not alone. These were my concerns, initially, but then my curious nature got the best of me. I invested in an economy mill for two hundred dollars. I also purchased a nice butane torch for annealing the metal before milling. The only other thing that I got was a sturdy table for which to bolt down the mill. I found one at the thrift store for 20 dollars. My mill then sat in my work space for about two months. I was intimidated to use it. Once I got the nerve I took some sheet copper and started rolling dried leaves, paper, fabric and potato sacks bits. Suddenly my copper sheet came to life. The slick surface now had a texture and a pattern. The patina on the metal added a striking interest to the raised and recessed surface. I highly encourage anyone interested in having patterned metal to consider this. I'm here to help with any questions. In fact, I'm working on an article for this site to share with everyone!! Stay tuned.

~Susan

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[glenda]

Thanks for that Susan!!

I keep thinking I would like to get one. As soon as money permits I think I will invest. Your pendant is fantastic!!

Can't wait to read your article!

[Tela]

Agreed! That pendant is awesome! I love the texture and the dimensional look. Of course, I love tassels on pendants, too. Pardon my seemingly off color point, but I think tassels and danglies attract attention to our assets. I think they are sexy without being vulgar or blatant.

Your plan to add a tute about the mill is very generous and highly anticipated. I can't see a mill in my near future, but I am very interested to see how one works. I've seen some of your beautiful work! It will be a treat to see how you do it.

[Tela]

Susan, I just made my first Scribd doc. I can help you with that when you are ready. I can't wait for your tute! I'm sure it will be quite an asset to us all.

[christine]

A mill does interest me but not sure about investing in one. I do like the texture of the pendant! Tela is right about tassels and dangles being sexy, they add a movement to the piece. Looking forward to your article!

[Renate]

What a beautiful necklace! Love love love the tassels, and how they come from the inside of the pendant!

I would love to try my hands at metalsmithing, and I am eager to read and learn about it, but is not in my near future to get the equipment.

Though, I have a metalsmithing related question, which I will post in another thread.

[susan]

Hello ladies. Perhaps we are drawn to the tassles due to the swing of them. I'm so glad that you like this facet about this piece. Thank you for your compliments on this necklace. The pattern for the necklace was made by a lady who sells paper patterns on Etsy called Rollingmillresource. She will create custom patterns based on photos or drawings. I haven't tried this yet, but I am wanting to carve some shapes into heavy card stock to see what can be done if rolled through the mill with some 22 gauge copper.

Thanks Tela, for the offer to help me with Scribd. I will definitely take you up on that offer!!

~Susan

[livewire]

I would love a tute on the rolling mill. There really isn't much good info out there, and I'm eager to learn.

I've had an economy rolling mill for over a year and have yet to use it. I don't have a dedicated work space yet, and it's not portable like my wire working tools and materials!

I hope to set up a work area soon, and start rolling!

Joyce



Joyce

[susan]

Hello Joyce. I am so glad that you have a rolling mill and are ready to get going on it. Having one changed my thought process in regards to my jewelry style. I have posted a photo of a pair of Cicada wings that I created using actual bug wings and copper. Who would think that something that delicate could be embossed into metal without acid solution, sharp tools or fossilization?

I am in the process of photographing a tutorial for the economy rolling mill, revamping an article for the mill and a project based tutorial using the mill (all at no cost). In fact I was photographing this morning for the finishing touches of the project based tutorial. None of this would have been possible if it wasn't for Tela's guidance and teachings and more importantly her inspiration to move forward creatively!!

Like you, when I got my mill I couldn't find a lot on the Internet regarding the use of the mill. After playing around with it and having some successes and many failures I decided to share with others what I had learned. My words and tutorial will be based on my self taught experience.

Joyce, let's get that dust off of your rolling mill and make something really groovy!! I will post on this forum when I have completed this tutorial.

~Susan

[susan]

When I walk my pooch, Daisy, in the summer months I would come across big cicada bugs that had lived their life span. I picked one up and removed the wings and milled them onto copper. This is the result. I wasn't sure if the fine detail of the wings would work with the mill, but with annealing the copper and providing cushioning for imprinting, it seemed to work better than I thought. The result is the earrings that you see in this photo. Hope that they don't fly off of my face.

~Susan

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[livewire]

Susan, your earrings are incredibly beautiful! The stone, the frame, everything complements and emphasizes the delicacy of the wings.

Joyce

[susan]

I'm glad that you like these earrings, Joyce. Hopefully soon you too will be rolling interesting components through your mill.

Susan

[glenda]

Susan!

Your earrings are so cool! Insect wings, snake skin....

I'm so looking forward to this adventure!!

I want to try feathers (or are they too soft?)

[susan]

Glenda, feathers are not too soft. My tutorial is done, just need to fine tune it, but feathers is covered in the tute!!

Susan

[glenda]

;D So excited!!

[christine]

I too am excited ;D and looking forward to the article. Susan your cicada wing earrings are incredible. The beauty of the design and the shape of the earrings work so well together. Who knew so many things could make an impression. A mill may be on my new tool list!

[susan]

The rolling mill article: Flat to Fab: Patterning Metals in the Economy Compact Rolling Mill is completed. I have provided this as a free download at this time and can be found on my Blogger at www.wiredlotus.com

If you get a chance, check it out and comment on the blog. I will be present for any and all questions that you might have during the process of setting up your own rolling mill. And of course, I will be very excited to see what you have made for your first project.

~Susan

[Vicky]

Hiya Susan,

Your tute is fabulous. My local tech college runs a course using a rolling mill and your tute, with all it's brilliant photos and instructions took me back to being in class, so easy to understand! Everything you ever wanted to know about starting to use a rolling mill ... but were afraid to ask!

I know the amount of time and effort you have put in to create this tute and I thank you very much for making it available for free.

Cheers

Vicky

PS I did try to post a comment on your site but I don't have a "profiles", sorry

[livewire]

Oh, Susan, this is just wonderful! Thank you so much for this clear and thorough tute. And your incredible generosity, freely sharing it.

I'm more eager than ever to "start rolling". I hope to start making my work area after the holidays are over.

Your tribute to Tela was lovely.

Joyce

[susan]

Hello Vicky. Oh, I remember those days of working on a rolling mill at the school!! The mills at the school I worked on where hanging on by a thread and were pitted and in great disrepair. I often imagined what had been rolled through those huge workhorses. They must have been a real deal in their day!! When I got my mill it was shiny and new and worked like a dream. I'm glad that the tutorial took you back to a place of good memories. Thank you for your awesome comment about the tute!!

~Susan

[susan]

Joyce, I'm so glad that you came back to comment after seeing the rolling mill tute. I would love to see what you make with yours after the holidays. If you get a chance post it in this section so that we can all see your rolling mill magic.

I feel that my tribute to Tela was only an ounce of appreciation that I could show in such a short space. If it wouldn't have been for her the rolling mill tute would have never launched!! Thank you for commenting on the tribute.

~Susan

[Tela]

Hi Susan I wanted to jump right in with a comment, but I wanted to let others comment first since you know what I think of your tute. It is wonderful from start to finish. You thought of everything! Your tute will be a huge asset to the jewelry community.

I was really touched by your tribute to me. You did all the hard work with all your own talent- I just pointed you in the right direction.

[christine]

Susan, Congratulations on a very well written tutorial. You gave thorough information and instructions for step by step usage and problem solving. Your photos were outstanding going along with each step. A very impressive and informative tutorial. Thanks for posting it for free. Congratulations on your new blog!

[glenda]

Congratulations on your new Blog! I have signed up!!

Thanks for the tutorial also I can't wait to get going!! I have my feathers just waiting! x