Die Forming with Hydraulic Press
February 5th, 2010 WendyLee Posted in Techniques | No Comments »
The other night I did a workshop with Sarah Whitlock on Hydraulic press die forming. I have had my hydraulic press sitting in my studio for way to long and thought it was about time that I learnt how to use it properly. The reason I chose to do my workshop with Sarah is that she uses a Hydraulic press that she purchased from the hardware shop as opposed to the Jewellers Presses on the market such as the Bonny Doon.
I have a 12 tonne hydraulic press that you can find in most hardware shops.
I purchased my Urethane pads from Apecs in Melbourne. PLease note you do not have to use Urethane, you can use hard rubber and a number of other materials.
Copper Sheet which had been hammered to give a textured finsh and then formed using a square perspex die.
Brass Sheet die formed.
The images below are some samples of some playing that I did when I got home. I had so many ideas running through my head that I grabbed any sheet metal samples I had lying around the studio.
Reticulated Shibuichi die Formed.
Roller Printed Brass Sheet Die Formed and patinaed
Roller printed sterling Silver die formed. You will see with this one that the sheet was a little bit to short on one side. It is still ok to use though. I guess if it was a few mm shorter it would have slipped into the die.
OOPS, This what happens when you apply to much pressure. It basically cuts the shape out. This was also the thinnest sheet metal that I used. It was 0.3mm Shibuichi. I need to keep in mind that thinner metals do not recquire as much pressure. LOL
This is a great technique which has alot of possibilities that I intend to explore and use in my work down the track.
If you would like to do some more reading on this technique then I suggest you grab the following book which covers alot of information.
“Hydraulic Die forming for Metalsmths and Jewellers – Susan Kingsley”
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