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3D Jewelry-Scale Forming on the Hydraulic Press
In this short-format 4-session weekly course, learn the safe and effective use of the hydraulic press, as well as the best way to use pancake, impression, and silhouette dies and bracelet forming tools in tandem with a press to create intriguing reliefs ready to be turned into or added to your jewelry.
The 20-ton hydraulic press is a versatile piece of equipment used in the forming of metal for jewelry scale projects. Pancake dies and impression dies can be used in the press to help make finished pieces for pendants, earrings, rings, and components like bracelet links, bales, and charms. Pancake dies are used to cut the same shape many times by pressing hardened metal inside the die using the hydraulic press. Impression dies are detailed patterns formed in hardened steel on which annealed metal is placed and pressed, leaving an impression of the pattern on the annealed metal. Some impression dies are made from hubs used in the jewelry industry in the 19th and early 20th century and have quite detailed designs.
Meet the instructor
Mary Fisher is an accomplished metalsmith and lapidary with a 30-year history of becoming proficient in many aspects of working with metals and stones. She is extremely knowledgeable about forging metals and using the hydraulic press in her work. She is a long-time supporter of Metalwerx, and is a well-known participant in classes and events.
Materials & Tools
There is a $57 materials fee for this course payable upon registration. Kit fee covers substantial sheet of fine silver, large sheets of copper (18g, 20g), sawblades, bristle discs, rotary mandrel, 95 durometer sheet (1/8", 1/16").
- 16g copper sheet, if students wish to press deeper forms
- sawframe, sandpaper, and needle files - if they do not wish to share communal tools
- studio apron
- studio towel
- notebook or sketchpad
- pen or pencil
- closed-toe shoes - required in the Metalwerx studio
- lunch - Metalwerx has a fridge, toaster oven, and microwave