@@cyberlightbeing If the goal is to make an egg shaped locket, you would need a tool (or tools) that would enable you to make two matching halves of the form. You could use a die and a hydraulic press to quickly create the two sides of the locket. The OJA does not have a video on using a hydraulic press. But this might help: www.onlinejewelryacademy.com/die-forming-video.html Good luck! 🍀
Can you use this to make a half sphere and then solder two half spheres together to make a full sphere? Because with my coming block I notice that eventually I work it to a point where the dome becomes wider than the cavity I am trying to hammer it into, which only results in marring the surface. I have thought of perhaps cutting some holes in hardwood and using the punch to drive it through, drawing the fringes of the metal around rather than continuing to use the block, think that might do the trick?
With practice, it is possible to use the dapping block to make two perfectly formed hemispheres. You will need to slightly tilt the hemispheres while you dap them in order to compress the material that extends above the concavity. Hitting directly on any "puckers" will help to smooth the metal. You don't need to create an additional tool. Start small and work you way toward making larger spheres. 😀
@@OnlineJewelryAcademy I have been trying that, but not proving successful with it. It always marks up part of the piece. The dome is always slightly larger than the opening of the last few cavities, and the edge of the cavities being so sharp they cut into the metal instead of allowing it to slide past. Even if I tilt it, it still marks up wherever it meets the edge. I just can't seem to get it without that happening. I had a little luck by annealing the metal before trying because it softened it a bit so it would form into the cavity more before the edge would dig into it, but even then it only reduced the marking.
@@chrisr3120 First, you must anneal your metal before you do anything that will change its shape. Second, you can sand and polish your dapping block to soften the sharp edges. Third you need to work progressively from the largest concavity to the one you desire. I suggest you supplement the OJA video with other online tutorials. And, practice with smaller pieces until you get the hang of working efficiently with your dapping block. Good luck!🍀
@@OnlineJewelryAcademy Would a nylon dapping block help? Or would a nylon block just get damaged from use before I could really get any decent use out of it? I do some acid etching and I would kind of like to see if I could etch a pattern into the blank before forming so I can print the pattern on pnp transfer paper. I've worked it down to a point where I can polish the marks off afterwards, but still not quite enough to preserve anything etched into it beforehand.
@@chrisr3120 I have never seen a nylon dapping block. There is a video in the OJA playlist on using a hardwood dapping block in order to preserve a surface texture. Check it out: www.onlinejewelryacademy.com/domed-textured-discs-video.html 😀
Here's a link to a video that will help: ruclips.net/video/huVhytBjhZ8/видео.html If you don't have a disc cutter, you will have to saw out and file each disc. 😀
Thanks much for all the videos - really great info! I have a techie sort of question... I use a number of copper disks linked together to make bracelets, so I've domed lots of disks. Recently, I've been trying out some embossing on the disks. Of course, doming them, even in my wooden block, flattens out the embossed design. Is there some way to dome an embossed disk? Many thanks!
Hi Ngaire, Yes, it is possible to create embossed domes. But, you will need a hydraulic press which is an expensive tool. Heres how it works. First you would emboss, stamp, roll print, texture, etc. your annealed metal. You would then re-anneal the metal and prepare it for shaping. The metal blank is placed over a die and covered with flexible pads and placed inside the press. The press is then raised so that the pads squish the metal into the die. You might find a press you can use at a local college or community center. Good luck with your projects. Thanks for your support! : )
Thanks very much! I don't have a hydraulic press, or a community college nearby, but, I think I might be able to figure a way to try it, now that I've got the image in my head of how it works. Thanks again for all the great information. Been very, very helpful.
Artistic Mercenary I purchased my dapping tool set at Harbor Freight. I'm sure that you can find a set for a good price on-line. Thanks for watching! : )
Its too late now. But if you practice using a brass hammer ... your dies would not have the hammers ends. and still look brand new. get a brass hammer! its not too late.
Thanks for the comment Sam. I actually do have a brass mallet. Sometimes not all of the best tools make it to the filming. Thanks for your support! : )
Perfect tutorial for me, as I'm trying to do a brass locomotive model, and dapping is the best way I found to shape the locomotive smokebox door.
I'm glad that you found the video helpful. Good luck with your project.
Thanks for your support! : )
I see what it can do. What are some applications of the finished product? Jewelry?
Yes, this technique is used to form shapes to make items such as beads. Check out our playlist on the OJA’s website:
Www.onlinejewelryacademy.com.😀
Could an egg shape locket be crafted using this tool? Thanks
It would be difficult to create two identical egg halves using a dapping block intended for making domes. 😀
@@OnlineJewelryAcademy I have noticed that there are oval dapping blocks, would these perhaps help? Thanks for your valuable input 🙂
@@cyberlightbeing If the goal is to make an egg shaped locket, you would need a tool (or tools) that would enable you to make two matching halves of the form. You could use a die and a hydraulic press to quickly create the two sides of the locket. The OJA does not have a video on using a hydraulic press. But this might help: www.onlinejewelryacademy.com/die-forming-video.html
Good luck! 🍀
@@OnlineJewelryAcademy Very grateful for your brilliant suggestions, thank you!
Can you use this to make a half sphere and then solder two half spheres together to make a full sphere? Because with my coming block I notice that eventually I work it to a point where the dome becomes wider than the cavity I am trying to hammer it into, which only results in marring the surface. I have thought of perhaps cutting some holes in hardwood and using the punch to drive it through, drawing the fringes of the metal around rather than continuing to use the block, think that might do the trick?
With practice, it is possible to use the dapping block to make two perfectly formed hemispheres. You will need to slightly tilt the hemispheres while you dap them in order to compress the material that extends above the concavity. Hitting directly on any "puckers" will help to smooth the metal. You don't need to create an additional tool. Start small and work you way toward making larger spheres. 😀
@@OnlineJewelryAcademy I have been trying that, but not proving successful with it. It always marks up part of the piece. The dome is always slightly larger than the opening of the last few cavities, and the edge of the cavities being so sharp they cut into the metal instead of allowing it to slide past. Even if I tilt it, it still marks up wherever it meets the edge. I just can't seem to get it without that happening.
I had a little luck by annealing the metal before trying because it softened it a bit so it would form into the cavity more before the edge would dig into it, but even then it only reduced the marking.
@@chrisr3120 First, you must anneal your metal before you do anything that will change its shape. Second, you can sand and polish your dapping block to soften the sharp edges. Third you need to work progressively from the largest concavity to the one you desire. I suggest you supplement the OJA video with other online tutorials. And, practice with smaller pieces until you get the hang of working efficiently with your dapping block. Good luck!🍀
@@OnlineJewelryAcademy Would a nylon dapping block help? Or would a nylon block just get damaged from use before I could really get any decent use out of it? I do some acid etching and I would kind of like to see if I could etch a pattern into the blank before forming so I can print the pattern on pnp transfer paper.
I've worked it down to a point where I can polish the marks off afterwards, but still not quite enough to preserve anything etched into it beforehand.
@@chrisr3120 I have never seen a nylon dapping block. There is a video in the OJA playlist on using a hardwood dapping block in order to preserve a surface texture. Check it out: www.onlinejewelryacademy.com/domed-textured-discs-video.html 😀
Great video! I have a new hobby! Tihanks
Hi Mike, Glad you enjoyed the video. Please be sure to check out the OJA's full playlist at: www.onlinejewelryacademy.com
Thanks for your support! : )
How do you cut multiple small discs?
Here's a link to a video that will help:
ruclips.net/video/huVhytBjhZ8/видео.html
If you don't have a disc cutter, you will have to saw out and file each disc. 😀
Thanks much for all the videos - really great info! I have a techie sort of question... I use a number of copper disks linked together to make bracelets, so I've domed lots of disks. Recently, I've been trying out some embossing on the disks. Of course, doming them, even in my wooden block, flattens out the embossed design. Is there some way to dome an embossed disk? Many thanks!
Hi Ngaire, Yes, it is possible to create embossed domes. But, you will need a hydraulic press which is an expensive tool. Heres how it works. First you would emboss, stamp, roll print, texture, etc. your annealed metal. You would then re-anneal the metal and prepare it for shaping. The metal blank is placed over a die and covered with flexible pads and placed inside the press. The press is then raised so that the pads squish the metal into the die. You might find a press you can use at a local college or community center. Good luck with your projects.
Thanks for your support! : )
Thanks very much! I don't have a hydraulic press, or a community college nearby, but, I think I might be able to figure a way to try it, now that I've got the image in my head of how it works. Thanks again for all the great information. Been very, very helpful.
Which hardware store did you get yours? I haven't seen any at any local store.Thanks
Artistic Mercenary I purchased my dapping tool set at Harbor Freight. I'm sure that you can find a set for a good price on-line. Thanks for watching! : )
Thanks.
Glad you liked the video.
Thanks for your support! : )
Its too late now. But if you practice using a brass hammer ... your dies would not have the hammers ends. and still look brand new. get a brass hammer! its not too late.
Thanks for the comment Sam. I actually do have a brass mallet. Sometimes not all of the best tools make it to the filming.
Thanks for your support! : )
👍💯