How to Hammer a Copper Fire Bowl

Copper bowls make lovely decorative dishware, or can be used as regular bowls.

Copper fire bowls are created from a single, flat piece of metal. The process of hammering a copper bowl by hand is known as raising the metal. It is during this process of raising the metal that the flat shape is hammered and "raised" into the shape of a bowl. Different methods of raising copper bowls can be used, depending on the type of bowl you are trying to make. The most common method, and also the easiest, is to use a block of wood to hammer your copper.

Things You'll Need

• Tin snips
• Ball-peen hammer
• Duct tape
• 24-gauge copper sheeting
• Black permanent marker
• Circular shape to trace
• Wrench
• Work vice

Instructions

1. Trace the outline of a circle onto your copper sheeting using a black permanent marker.

2. Cut out the circle that you traced in Step 1 using your tin snips.

3. Place a wrench, sticking up vertically, in a work vice. Make sure that it is securely tightened in place. Place the outer 1/4 inch of the copper circle on top of the wrench and begin hammering. Work your way around the entire circle, creating a slightly raised edge.

4. Remove the copper circle from on top of the wrench. Hold it underneath one arm and hammer around the edge of the circle a second time. You are working to slightly raise the edge of the bowl each time you hammer around. Continue in the this fashion, working around the circle about three or four times.

5. Lie the copper circle flat on your work vice. Continue hammering around, pushing up the edge. Hammer around the inside lip of the copper. Work your way around the entire circle.

6. Place your copper on top of a roll of duct tape. Start hammering your way around the copper. You are trying to aim for the center hole in the roll of duct tape. Work your all across the copper. Continue hammering until you have the desired bowl shape.

References

• Arts and Crafts Metal Work: Raising a Bowl. Instructions for Creating a Copper Bowl by Hand