Helen I. Driggs's Disc Cutter Earrings, Metalwork. Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Texturing, Design, Drilling, Drill. Today we bring you an easy metal jewelry making tutorial by Helen I.

Disc Cutter Earrings

by Helen I. Driggs
  • Category: Metalwork
  • Technique(s): Cutting, Dapping, Hole Punching, Texturing, Design, Drilling
  • Skill Level: Beginner
Today we bring you an easy metal jewelry making tutorial by Helen I. Driggs

This easy assembled earring project will help you become an expert user of the disc cutter. You can either texture the metal before you cut it or after, but keep in mind that texturing after cutting may deform the metal edges. Take your time with the measuring and the layout, because the more patience you have, the better your results will be. I left my earrings with a natural copper finish, but you could patinate them before assembly if desired.

Materials

22 Gauge 0.025 Dead Soft Copper Sheet Metal - 6x12 Inch
MET-705.22M
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $14.78
  • Gold Club Price: $11.09
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6mm Blue Zircon 5000 Round Swarovski Crystal Beads - Pack of 10
A13-83B
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $4.97
  • Gold Club Price: $3.73
Out of Stock
Gold Filled Jump Ring Open (.035) 19ga. (OD) 8mm (ID) 6.2mm - Pack of 25
J11-180
  • Lesson Quantity: 4.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $33.22
  • Gold Club Price: $24.92
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Gold Filled Eyepins 22GA 1 1/2 inch - Pack of 10
J8-22
  • Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $9.24
  • Gold Club Price: $6.93
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Gold Filled Ball & Coil Earwire 22mm - Pack of 2
J19-19
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $4.10
  • Gold Club Price: $3.08
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Tools

Marker -extra fine
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Steel Square, 2 Inches
GAU-188.02
  • GAU-188.02
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Large Disc Cutter
DAP-410.10
  • DAP-410.10
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $55.95
  • Gold Club Price: $41.96
Out of Stock
Brass Hammer - 1 Pound
HAM-456.10
  • HAM-456.10
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $24.97
  • Gold Club Price: $18.73
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7 Piece Mini TruStrike Hammer Set with Stand
HAM-520.70
  • HAM-520.70
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $140.54
  • Gold Club Price: $105.40
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Bench Block Helper with Steel and Nylon Blocks
DAP-500.30
  • DAP-500.30
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $29.95
  • Gold Club Price: $22.46
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6 Piece Assorted File Set with Wooden Handle
G14-7
  • G14-7
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $5.57
  • Gold Club Price: $4.18
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WET/DRY PAPER 9 X 11 ASST- 20PC- 2EA GRIT 180-3000
ABR-500.90
  • ABR-500.90
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Chain Nose Wire Pliers
G2-508
  • G2-508
  • Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 2.00 each
  • Price: $32.95
  • Gold Club Price: $24.71
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Auto Center Punch
PUN-430.00
  • PUN-430.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $8.97
  • Gold Club Price: $6.73
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Variable Speed Rotary Tool with Flexible Shaft
G26-51
  • G26-51
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $49.97
  • Gold Club Price: $37.48
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12 pc Drill Set
DRL-245.12
  • DRL-245.12
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $18.95
  • Gold Club Price: $14.21
Out of Stock
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Instructions
Step 1
Find the center of the sheet and mark crosshairs on the metal.
Helen I. Driggs's Disc Cutter Earrings - , Metalwork, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Texturing, Design, Drilling, Drill, Copper sheet
Step 2
Draw outlines where you plant to punch. Don't waste the inner discs - I always conserve metal and plan to use it for another pair of earrings or something else.
Helen I. Driggs's Disc Cutter Earrings - , Metalwork, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Texturing, Design, Drilling, Drill, Copper sheet with measurement
Step 3
Cut the innermost openings first. Peek inside the die and do your best to line up the outlines you've drawn with the walls of the die. Do not let the metal jump as you hammer the punch, and always use a brass or copper mallet to prevent the steel punch from damage.
Helen I. Driggs's Disc Cutter Earrings - , Metalwork, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Texturing, Design, Drilling, Drill, Using a disc cutter
Step 4
Economize on your metal and cut as much as you can out of each sheet. Sand and file as needed.
Helen I. Driggs's Disc Cutter Earrings - , Metalwork, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Texturing, Design, Drilling, Drill, Copper pieces cut by disc cutter
Step 5
Plan the drilled holes and either centerpunch them and drill, or use the hole punch to create them.


Tip: Gears and other manufactured components make great measuring devices. Or, use this circle center finder pattern.

Helen I. Driggs's Disc Cutter Earrings - , Metalwork, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Texturing, Design, Drilling, Drill, Using a center punch
Helen I. Driggs's Disc Cutter Earrings - , Metalwork, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Texturing, Design, Drilling, Drill, Center finder pattern
Step 6
If you decide to texture the metal after drilling, take care not to deform the drilled holes. I always drill the holes a second time after texturing to ensure they are round.
Helen I. Driggs's Disc Cutter Earrings - , Metalwork, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Texturing, Design, Drilling, Drill, Marked copper cut pieces
Step 7
Patina if you wish, then do a final sanding and polishing on all of the parts. Assemble the earrings by referring to the sample photos. Once you become comfortable with the tools try using the metal and the cutter creatively. Several options are shown.
Helen I. Driggs's Disc Cutter Earrings - , Metalwork, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Texturing, Design, Drilling, Drill, Finished copper disc earrings
Helen I. Driggs's Disc Cutter Earrings - , Metalwork, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Texturing, Design, Drilling, Drill, Finished copper disc earrings
Helen I. Driggs's Disc Cutter Earrings - , Metalwork, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Dapping, Dapping Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Texturing, Design, Drilling, Drill, Finished copper disc earrings