How to Stamp a Copper Sheet Metal Die

Stamp copper sheet metal.

The hydraulic press is the largest, strongest, easiest, but most expensive hammer in the metalsmith' s toolbox. The hydraulic press is a great tool for stamping copper sheet using a silhouette die. The hydraulic press can also be used for fold forming, synclastic and anticlastic raising. Use a silhouette die and a hydraulic press to create beautiful stamped objects from copper sheet metal.

Things You'll Need

• Hydraulic press
• Silhouette die
• Urethane or rubber
• Torch
• Pickle pot
• Pickle
• Copper tongs
• Copper sheet

Instructions

1. Select or make the silhouette die you want to use to stamp the copper sheet metal.

2. Cut the copper sheet metal so it's larger than the silhouette die. The copper sheet metal should have at least 1 inch around the area to be stamped.

3. Anneal the copper sheet metal with your torch. Place the annealed copper into your pickle pot to remove oxidation. Remove from the pickle with copper tongs and rinse the copper with water to remove the pickle. Dry.

4. Place the prepared copper on top of the silhouette die. Put a piece of urethane or rubber sheet over the copper sheet metal.

5. Put the silhouette die, copper sheet and urethane or rubber stack into the hydraulic press.

6. Lower the boom of the hydraulic press until the copper sheet is stamped.

7. Remove the silhouette die, urethane or rubber sheet and stamped copper from the hydraulic press. Check the impression.

8. Repeat until the desired impression is reached.

Tips & Warnings

• Always take fire-safety precautions when using a torch.

• Wear eye protection and gloves when working with chemicals.

References

• "The Complete Metalsmith: Professional Edition"; Tim McCreight; 2005
• "Metalsmithing"; Robert Ebendorf, Michael Jerry, and Thomas Markusen; 1973
• "Jewelry: Fundamentals of Metalsmithing"; Tim McCreight; 1997
• "Jewelry Concepts and Technology"; Oppi Untracht; 1982
• "The Complete Book of Jewelry Making"; Carles Codina; 2006

Resources

• You Tube: Silhouette Die Forming---Bonny Doon
• You Tube: Jewelry Press