All products are designed, hand crafted and guaranteed by Julie Niskanen.
The Rocker Jig
The jig for rocking plates is very sturdy and mobile (unlike the long pole designs). It helps rocking go much faster and it also helps to get a nice even pass, and of course it is much easier on the hand, arm, and wrist than hand rocking. These rocker jigs can be used to rock plates as small as 3 x 3 inches and as large as 18 x 24 inches (or at least that is the largest I have rocked).
The jig is made to specifically fit the size rocker that is used (from 3 to 6 inches). So the length and width of the jig are constructed to give your rocker the perfect angle and curvature for rocking.
The jigs are hand built out of oak (a nice sturdy, hardwood), sanded, stained, and assembled with screws and glue. Rubber is adhered along the bottom of the wood to keep it from sliding around while rocking. This helps the rocking to stay consistent. Padding is put on the handle to make rocking a bit more comfortable.
Wing nuts are used to make it easy to remove and attach the rocker blade.
It is also a good idea to buy some of the non-skid mat (found with contact paper and drawer/cabinet liner at Wal-mart or a hardware store). I always keep some of the non-skid mat under the back wooden side of the rocker jig to help keep it from sliding around. It is also good to use if you are rocking larger plates, where the back wooden end of the rocker jig will be going on top of the plate. This protects the parts of the plate that have already been rocked from getting damaged.
For images and instructions on how to use the rocker jig, click here
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Mezzotint rocker jig (painted black, with padding) with rocker blade. |
Mezzotint rocker jig (painted black, with padding) with rocker blade, another view. | |
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Mezzotint rocker jig without rocker blade (with a light stain, no padding). |
Mezzotint rocker jig without rocker blade (with a light stain, no padding), another view. |
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Mezzotint rocker jig without rocker blade (with a light stain, no padding), another view. |
Mezzotint rocker jig without rocker blade (with a light stain, no padding), another view. |
The Sharpener Jig
The jig for sharpening the rocker blade works for all size rockers (from 1/2 inch to 6 inches). It keeps the rocker blade at the perfect angle and makes sharpening go very fast. With this sharpening device, I never have to send my rockers to E.C. Lyons to be sharpened (even if there are teeth missing).
The top point of the rocker blade fits into the hole in the pole. A threaded metal insert is put in to the end of the pole, and a thumb screw goes is in the end of the pole and can be tightened down so that the rocker blade doesn’t move while sharpening.
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Sharpener jig with rocker blade in place. |
Sharpener jig with rocker blade in place, another view. | |
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Sharpener jig with rocker blade in place, another view. |
Sharpener jig with rocker blade in place, another view. | |
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Sharpener jig itself (what you will receive if ordered). |
Sharpener jig itself (what you will receive if ordered). |
If you are interested in purchasing either of these mezzotint jigs, please contact me with the following information:
Your contact information: name, phone number, email address, mailing address, method of payment, size of mezzotint rocker blade, and if you plan to use weights (this allows me to know what size bolts to put with the rocker jig). Please also specify if you would like padding on the handle and if you would like it painted black or stained.
Your order will also come with instructions for use.
Price List:
-Mezzotint Rocker Jig (prices vary depending on width of rocker blade):
Jig for 3” rocker blade (without padding on pole): $40 plus shipping
Jig for 3” rocker blade (with padding on pole): $45 plus shipping
Jig for 4” rocker blade (without padding on pole): $45 plus shipping
Jig for 4” rocker blade (with padding on pole): $50 plus shipping
Jig for 5” rocker blade (without padding on pole): $50 plus shipping
Jig for 5” rocker blade (with padding on pole): $55 plus shipping
Jig for 6” rocker blade (without padding on pole): $55 plus shipping
Jig for 6” rocker blade (with padding on pole): $60 plus shipping
-Mezzotint sharpening jig (works for any size rocker): $15 plus shipping
Methods of payment accepted: Paypal, personal check, money order, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover