How to Use a Doming Block and Punch
Doming blocks and punches are tools a jewelry maker uses to create items, such as domed pendants, earrings, bead caps and bench-made beads, out of flat metal disks. They are also known as dapping tools. A doming block is usually made of steel or hard wood, and contains rounded depressions of varying sizes on each of its sides. A punch has a round end which is connected to a solid stem and is usually sold in sets of different sizes.
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Things You'll Need
- Doming block
- Doming punches
- Dead-soft copper disks, 20 to 24 gauge
- Ball-peen hammer
Instructions
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Select a copper disk and place it within a hole in the block that is large enough to fully fit it. Find a doming punch that is smaller than the hole. Then, take the hammer, and gently tap the punch into the depression, with the rounded end of the punch head pointing down.
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Vary the angle of the punch as you continue tapping to form a complete dome out of your disk. Move the rounded disk to a smaller hole on your block, and repeat the process.
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Continue rounding the shape in progressively smaller holes until you get to the desired size. If the shape is irregular, place it in a hole that is close to an exact fit and continue gently tapping until the ideal shape is obtained.
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Tips & Warnings
The larger the gauge size, the thinner the metal will be.
A smith rarely hammers metal with hard strokes as the molecules in metals react best to controlled and firm, yet gentle, hammering.
Store your copper, silver and other metals in zip-close plastic bags to keep them from tarnishing.
Use a polishing cloth to make dull metal shiny. If you don't have one, try a pencil eraser or toothpaste and an old toothbrush.
Always wear goggles when working with metal.
Avoid working with nickel, otherwise known as nickel silver and German silver. It is a metal that is not considered safe to work with or wear.
Wear gloves for prolonged sessions, and wash your hands after working with metals.
