Rolling Mill
Have you been dreaming about getting a rolling mill? Prices on economy and small rolling mills start in the $300s and $400s.
The rolling mill is a metalsmith's fantasy tool: texture and imprint your metal like a printing press, and roll out your own wire and sheet from your scrap. This short class will take you on a tour of the essentials you need to know to use it.
Use paper, fabric, and found materials to imprint designs on sheet metal. Cast your scrap metal or alloy new metal into an ingot and roll it into wire or sheet. Learn how to reduce wire and sheet into smaller gauges. Turn round wire into square, rectangular, or even half round! We'll also cover how to safely use and maintain a rolling mill.
This class is available both online through Zoom and in person at our school.
The online section of this class is 3 hours. The in person section is 6 hours, since they have access to the rolling mills at school. All of the demos and lecture will be covered during the first half of class for both online and in person students.
You don't have to have a rolling mill to attend this class.
Online students without a mill can learn about how to use it so that they can make an informed decision when they purchase one. In person students have access to rolling mills in the classroom.
What's covered:
• Why have a rolling mill?
• Types of mills
• Anatomy of a mill
• Choosing a mill
• Mill safety
• Installing a mill
• Mill maintenance
• Melting metal and casting ingots
• Rolling ingots into sheet and wire
• Creating texture with a rolling mill
This class includes a kit of materials for in person students only. Online students don't require a kit.
Since this class is open to students with or without a rolling mill, there is not a kit. A list of recommended materials for practice is included in the supplies list.
A full color handout is included with the class. Create your own workbook with the handout that is downloadable for this workshop. Handouts include instructions for techniques and projects, reference charts and lots of information to support your learning.
Read what students have to say about our online classes on the testimonials page.
No tools are required for this class.
In person students have access to the rolling mills and use of tools at school. Online students do not require tools to participate.
Since this class is open to students with or without a rolling mill, tools and supplies are optional for online students. Students can watch the demos, decide what they want to buy and then watch the class recording when they’re ready to practice. A pdf with a list of optional tools and materials will be emailed to students right after they register.
If you’re going to use some of your practice pieces to make jewelry, you’ll need basic fabrication tools, like the list of tools for Jewelry 1 - the Basics.
Online students will need a computer, phone or tablet to use the free Zoom app for class.
Prerequisites:
Previous experience with jewelry fabrication (sawing, filing, using power tools), like successful completion of Jewelry 1 - Basics (online or in-person) recommended.
Instructor:
If a class is online, or is a combination online and in-person session, all students receive a link to a recording of the class demonstrations. In-person only workshops are not recorded. For staff instructor classes, students have access to the recordings for one year. For guest instructors, access is 30 days.
If a kit is included with the class, online students will have them mailed to them. Kits for in-person students are delivered at the beginning of the first class. More information about the kit is included with the supplies list which is emailed after registration.
International students may be charged an additional amount for shipping, because of the increased cost to ship abroad. Also, shipments to other countries may incur a tariff payable by the student. International students are welcome to contact us re: these costs and options for their materials. Please be sure that the address with your payment is the correct one for shipping.
If this class is offered online, it uses the Zoom app/website. Through Zoom, you’ll be able to see demos and follow instructions, ask questions and interact with your instructor. Zoom is easy to use and free for students to use for class, and works on most devices, like phones (iPhone, Android, etc), tablets (iPads, etc), and computers (Mac or PC).
Your instructor is also available during free Zoom office hours for questions and help.
For classes that include work time, online students work at home or in their studio. All of our recommended tools and the kit materials are chosen to be home studio friendly. Links to preferred vendors are provided in the supplies list sent after registration. Some classes, like our short demo only classes, don't require tools or materials to attend.
There are no requirements regarding COVID at this time.
As always, we clean and disinfect shared tools and benches after each class.
If you have tested positive for COVID, have symptoms that could be COVID, or feel ill, please don't come to class. Contact us for more information.
And now the fine print. Payment in full for class fees is due at the time of registration to reserve your place. We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and PayPal. Checks and cash are accepted only if you register at school. If you mail a check, your registration is not processed until it clears and the class may fill during the wait.
If the workshop is canceled by our school for any reason, all class fees will be refunded, or you can transfer to another class, or you can keep a credit on account with us for future classes or purchases,
Students can cancel, receive a credit or refund, or transfer to another class up to 21 days before a workshop, whether it is online or in person. No cancellations are accepted after the 21-day deadline, however, we will do what we can to try and sell your place to a qualified student. If we can sell your place, you can receive a refund less a $50 cancellation fee, keep a credit on account with us, or apply your fees towards a transfer to another class.
If you can’t make it to class, you may send a participant who has the necessary prerequisites in your place. Please call or email us immediately with any changes in the student participant information. If a class includes an online section, your class will be recorded and you can watch later to make up a class you miss.
Students must be at least 15 years old to attend a class, and students under 18 must have a legal guardian sign our liability waiver form. We have had younger students attend classes, on a case by case basis. If you’re interested in enrolling your child, please call or email us.
If you sign up for a class and fail to have the required prerequisites as listed in the class description, you are still subject to the 21-day cancellation policy, listed above.
Lodging and meals are not included for in person classes.
If you don't come to class, there are no refunds, credits or transfers.