Lesson 12: Dapping

-->

Lesson 12:  Dapping and Forming

• In order to give your sheet metal 3D form, you can use the dapping block and punches, stakes and the sandbag or stump.
• When forming metal- ALWAYS ANNEAL FIRST! You don’t need to pickle after annealing.
• You will feel the metal get harder to form after hammering it. Anneal it again when this happens.
• Do all your hammering on the stump! This saves all our ears- you may want to bring ear protectors.
• Metal stake + metal sheet + rawhide/plastic mallet = no marks, less exact fit, no thinning of the sheet
• Metal stake + metal sheet + metal hammer = marks, perfect fit to stake, some thinning of the metal.
• When using a metal hammer, make sure to hit evenly across your piece.
• Metal hammers will harden the metal faster, you must anneal more often.
• NEVER put anything wet on a metal surface!!!! Dry your piece thoroughly!!
• Do not hit a metal hammer directly onto a metal stake or block.
• Hammer= metal face   Mallet= plastic, wood, or rawhide face

Using the dapping block and punches:

• When starting out, your disc should be approx. ½ of the way down in the depression.
• Use the largest punch that fits in the hole that also leaves room for the metal!! 
• Hammer the punch with a mallet.
• Go in size order for the holes- they may not be on the same side of the block!
• Don’t move on to the next hole until you hear the solid sound and the outside of your disc is shiny. This means you are all the way at the bottom of the depression.
• Anneal your disc every 3 holes.
• Measure both diameter and height to determine when you have reached you desired shape.
• Because the metal will be deformed and compressed along the edge, you will need to file the bottom of your hemisphere prior to any soldering.
• Because the punches stretch the metal in the center and compress the metal closer to the rim, do any piercing or drilling after forming.
• If you want to drill other than in the direct center of the form, use the flexshaft.

To make your forms look more regular and smooth, after forming with a mallet, use a planishing hammer or goldsmith’s hammer and go over the entire surface of your form. If you do not want the hammered look, file and sand to achieve a smooth surface.

           

Sample Bead:

• Using the disc cutter, punch out 2 circles. Use the largest disc punch.
• Use either 22 or 20ga. metal. 
• Anneal with torch.
• Form circles into hemispheres. The diameter should measure 2x the height for each hemisphere.
• File and sand the edges.
• Drill a hole in each hemisphere.
• Solder together to make a spherical bead.
• File and sand and finish.
• Feel free to add pierce work, solder cutouts onto it, patina it, etc.