I found out I needed this hammer when I was doing the foldforming. Remember this pod from a previous Bead Table Wednesday?
In order to make the curve along the folded edged and thus the pod shape the hammer blows have to move the metal. This requires a cross pein shaped hammer head. The little hammer on top was the closest I had, and I have used it quite a bit for texturing the edges of pendants. It does work for texturing folds, but it will not move the metal enough to form the pod shape. It's just too lightweight. I even tried using a lot of force and hit really hard. Mostly this hurt my wrist. I broke out the smaller Fretz hammer in the middle above. It is a raising hammer and has faces like a cross pein, but several times wider. It did move the metal. It tends to smooth the metal at the same time so I didn't get as much texture as I'd hoped for. I used this hammer to finish out the curve.
The new Fretz hammer is the Michael Good cross pein and it has a nice weight. I think it will move the metal without me using any great force. That's pretty much what I want. That's what tools are for--they allow us to do work without using a lot of force.
In addition to Kim St. Jean's excellent DVD on "Metal Fold Forming" I have been studying Charles Lewton-Brain's book "Foldforming
." This is a fantastic book metal workers. Charles Lewton-Brain is credited with inventing an entirely new form of metal work when he developed foldforming. Next I want to study the info he has on his site.I do still have the remaining items in my muffin tin that I didn't get finished for the challenge. I spent four days at my parents over 4th of July weekend after my Dad had a little health scare (he's okay.) And Friday I'm going to Houston for a weekend business meeting for some volunteer work I do. I probably won't be able to touch the bead table until next week.
Check out the other bead tables at:
11 comments:
So glad your Dad is ok! Good Lord you don't want that head coming loose! = : O < thant's what I would look like if it did!>
WOW, Leslie, that is a big *** hammer! That guy's metal forming is just AWESOME! I can see you doing that and being really good at it too. If you make some, bring them to Houston so I can see and admire them!!!???
Marcy
Hi Leslie, don't you just love new tools? I am just playing catchup, have been out of the loop for a few weeks. A friend of mine, Carol, is taking a workshop for a few days in NY with Charles Lewton Brain, will you be attending that as well? have fun with the new toy!
The new hammer looks great. I have one Fretz hammer in my tool chest - its a chasing hammer and the feel of it is definitely different than the other hammers. I haven't started with form folding yet, but love how it looks.
Patty, it would be a bummer if the hammer head flew off and hit me in the foot. Or the forehead. That would be just my luck. WHACK!
Marcy, I was afraid that the hammer wouldn't be big enough. I didn't realize just how big it would be. I think the size is perfect for most of my work though. I might need a bit smaller one for miniature work later. I'll have to see how it goes when I get to use it. Don't worry, I'll be showing off my jewelry at Adorn Me!
Thanks, Laura. Your friend Carol is sooooo lucky! I would love to take a class from Charles Lewton-Brain. I hope he gets down to the south somewhere within driveable distance.
Charlene, don't you love your Fretz? You're right, the feel is definitely different. I think the curve and shape of the hammer adds to the effectiveness of the hammer. They're beautiful tools, as well.
Wow! Cool! Those hammers reminded me of the movie "Thor"! ;P
The new Fretz hammer is great!
It is a great hammer! And, your gorgeous pod is the proof =)
Hi Leslie,
Thank you for the comments on my blog. I got a kick out of your cat who runs and knocks things over! I have one who has a need to knock things off tables onto the floor. Gravity fascinates him! I bet your buffet would make a great television stand. It always feels good to repurpose furniture and give it new life. ~Val
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