By Tom and Kay Benham
Tim McCreight, internationally renowned metalsmith, teacher, author of Complete Metalsmith and founder of Brynmorgen Press,continues to keep pace with the times. Over the years, Tim continues to release updated versions of his Complete Metalsmith, the gold standard reference found in most metal studios, the last version in book and CD forms. When PDAs became the darling of the electronic world, he created a Complete Metalsmith reference for the device which we immediately downloaded and have used for years. His release of the Metalsmith Suite App for iPhone, iPad, and iTouch is just another example of his determination to remain on the cutting edge of modern technology.
Metalsmith Suite consists of nine instinctively easy to use calculation programs and three information resources that meet the needs of anyone working with precious metals. In addition, full instructions for the App are only a finger tap away. This is a pleasant surprise, as most Apps have sparse instructions if any at all. While most other resources provide the formula, leaving it up to you to work out the calculations, Metalsmith Suite App does the work for you: just enter the specifics and the program presents the answer instantly -- a special godsend to those of us who are mathematically challenged.
The nine calculation programs are invaluable:
Convert Units quickly converts between The English and Metric systems of measurement (temperature, volume, length or weight);
Cost of Sheet Metal, Wire and Shot programs instantly retrieve the current spot prices of precious metals (silver, gold and platinum) from the Internet;
Casting Needs rapidly calculates the amount of metal needed for a specific wax model weight;
Drawing Length easily calculates the starting length of wire to yield a known length of wire;
Tubing Blanks promptly determines the width of a strip of metal that will yield tubing of a specific size;
Metal Conversion swiftly reprices the cost of an object in various metals; and
Gold Alloying immediately adjusts the gold content to Alloy Up or Alloy Down to achieve a specific karat.
There are also three handy Information Resources:
Equivalent Numbers provides comparison of B&S, mm, decimal inch, fractional inch and drill size;
Metal Properties lists industrial or scientific abbreviation, melting point in Fahrenheit and Celsius and specific gravity, particularly useful when calculating casting needs; and
Gem Properties features color photos of 50 popular gemstones and details including hardness, heat sensitivity, history, and folklore, with pronunciation guide of each gemstone. This is a particular favorite of ours.
The Metalsmith Suite App has it all and is available exclusively through the Apple App Store. After one use you'll feel it well worth its modest $3.99 price. With the Metalsmith Suite App at our fingertips on our iPads and iPhone we love our electronic devices even more, if that is possible!
TOM & KAY BENHAM are teachers of both metalsmithing and lapidary, are members of The Florida Society of Goldsmiths and The Central Florida Mineral & Gem Society, and have been Contributing Editors to Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist magazine since 1993.