Japan and Korea

During my winter break I went to Japan and Korea, January 27 to February 8th. I took a short trip to Japan in September, but I had not been to Korea in over 2 years. 

I went to Osaka and Kyoto in Japan. I just went sightseeing, mostly at places I have been before. February 3rd I went to Seoul. It felt weird to be back. All I did there was meet friends. I wish I had allowed a little more time to myself.

 Some pics from my phone:

Jonggak Station area, Seoul

Seoul Tower

Seoul

Chion-in, Kyoto

Chion-in, Kyoto

Byodo-in, Uji

waiting on tools

So far the most frustrating thing about working here is constantly getting to a point where I need a certain tool that I don't have and then having to wait to get it. I either have to ask my parents to send it, or buy it here. Of course, eventually that will stop happening as I slowly get everything I need, but right now I am stalled, waiting on sanding belts for my little NSK belt sander. After I get those I really think the only other things I will need to make picks are a polishing motor and buffs, and some kind of wood finishing oil.

This photo below shows where I stopped. I can cut more wood and grind/file more steel, but I can't finish anything. I will work on some jewelry while I wait for my sanding belts.

This is my outside work area where I do my grinding. This patio area is really the only thing I like about this apartment.

making lock picks again

I got a bench grinder and belt sander last week. I now have almost everything I need to make picks again. I still need to buy a polishing motor and I need my hand files. My files are being shipped from the US right now, I should get them next week. I might have to wait till after my winter vacation to buy the polishing motor. With all the money I have spent on tools recently and with trip I am taking to Japan and Korea at the end of the month, I am not sure I can afford one right now.

I can't use the grinder and belt sander inside; it's too messy. So I bring them out on my patio to use them. 

This is the outside work area. Not very exciting compared to my workshop in the US, but it should be adequate. I now have to work during the day time (always worked at night in the US) and when it's not raining.

I'm stuck at this stage for now. I need to get my hand files to finish shaping the pick blade, and a polishing motor to polish it. 

Getting ready to make lock picks again

I got a drill press today, and have a grinder and belt sander coming next week. I will start making lock picks again soon. 

working again

I'm set up to do basic jewelry work in my home now. I have most of my important hand tools, micromotor, and a small torch. So far I have just done some work on the pieces I started in the jewelry class at my school. It's good to have my own bench and tools here, even if it is just a small fraction of the workshop I had in the US.  

First visit to a tool store in Taipei

Saturday I went to a jewelry tool store called Jin Bao Shan, in Taipei.  I bought a torch, soldering stuff, and other random small tools. It's not Rio Grande, but they seem to have everything I need for now.  I'll be going here again in a week or two  

I loved these oversized display burs. But I couldn't get my phone to focus on them, and finally gave up on getting an in focus shot. Maybe I'll try again next time.

They had a fairly good selection of hammers and stakes.

Draw plates, hammers, and rubber wheels in the little drawers.

Decent selection of rubber wheels. I just wish they all listed the brand name rather than just which country they are from.

A bench set up for demonstrations.

One part of the store was tools, the other part of the store was display and packaging stuff.

First time at my bench in Taiwan

I finally started working at my new bench last night. I started on a pendant. But I really need a light before I can do much. I'm planning to go to a jewelry tool supplier this weekend, I'll try to get one there. There are a lot of other little things I need, but I have all the other essential things to work here.