Brain Press: Fold-forming Tools

Brain Press: Fold-Forming Tools

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The tools and hammers required for fold forming are fairly basic Click on the pictures to see full size images	Metal for practicing: I recommend thin copper sheet, 24 gauge (0.5mm) is best, sold often as 'roofing copper'. In the US it is sold as well as .016 copper and 16 ounce copper. Aluminum sheet of the same guage can be used instead and is cheaper. The techniques may be used with most metals including gold alloys, silver alloys, platinum, aluminum, niobium, titanium, and steel.	Basic Tools Ear muffs or plugs Safety glasses Selection of Hammers: Raising/forging hammers are very important. Mallets: Leather and paper mallets are most useful Anvils and Stakes Pliers, both chain nose, flat and wide jawed. Prying tools like a knife , altered screwdriver or T-handled prying tool Large mounted vise, smooth topped if possible. A Blacksmith's Leg or post vise is useful.	More Tools Flex shaft, silicon carbide separating discs and mandrel Hand Shears, Aviation snips and mounted lever shear Sheet rolling mill and wire rolling mill Annealing equipment, soldering equipment, tweezers etc. Access to water. A tool list at Ganoksin.
Selection of forging hammers for fold-forms. The narrow angled fronts make it easier to get in close in corners when forging	Here is a view of the forging peens of the hammers. This represents a wide range for different sized work	From left to right, a goldsmith's hammer for jewelry scale work, a paper mallet, a planishing hammer and a 'thumblike' raising hammer	A side view of the same hammers. The paper mallet damages metal the least of any mallet type.
Planishing hammers are useful in fold forming. The slightly crowned (domed) side is the most useful. Back to Top	The forging hammers are used to stretch the metal directionally. The 'thumblike' hammer is used for thinning and for creating centered line folds. The planishing hammer is used for smoothing and also for upsetting and confirming fold edges on line folds.	Here is a closer look at the 'thumblike' raising hammer, which is very useful for spreading and thinning when forging.	This is a view of it straight on. Note the oval shape, sort of like a loaf of bread.
Here is a side view of a good forging hammer for fold-forming.	A view of two peens for forging.	Two similar peens, from above.	Two more. The one on the left is a bit too rounded but the one the right is very good for fold-forming.
If you would like to buy a set of fold-forming hammers email us and we'll connect you with a vendor.	A basic T-fold diagram Fold-forming article links Step-by Step articles on making Fold-Forms Chasing Links Back to Top	Of the stakes, most useful is a 'standard T-stake"	Fold-Forming Paper Fold-Forming CDROM Fold-Forming video Fold-Forming Pieces for Sale

See the new Foldforming Step-by-Step Powerpoint Introduction

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