Am I crimping on the right surface -- or the reverse?

[Matt Ferrari]

My jewelry teacher showed me to crimp like this:



That is, they are formed by hitting a raising hammer on the inside surface of the vessel against a groove placed on the outside of the vessel. However, after looking at "Silversmithing" by Finegold and Seitz, I believe that I'm crimping in the opposite direction that they recommend. Am I?

[wtowns01]

Matt,

Just for reminders you can only do the crimping once. The crimping is used to give you a quick start on the raising process at the beginning. What I have found with the crimping process, is that it is very hard to keep the crimps even to begin with and as you work the piece the second or third round it is hard to keep true because of the crimps. Trueing a piece to get it round again or the sides at even angles takes more time then the crimping. Just my opinion, maybe I am not very good at trueing. So I do not use the crimping method any more and instead do an extra two or three rounds in which the crimping method may save.

Now on your question, you are on the wrong side. If you use the pattern that comes in the book, blow it up on a copier, than mark out your crimp lines the crimps go in. (using a groove tool)

You can still straighten out what you have. I suggest to just raise on the crimp bumps. Do the rows like you normally do, and be realllllllllllllllllllllllly careful not to fold over the silver. After you get the crimps flat than do a rough plannish to see how true the piece is. Anneal and then true up as necessary before you do any more raising. Another thing that I have found too is that I like to keep the bottom as close as correct to the final diameter. This will help too in keeping things true.

What is the size of the blank disc you started with, and what gauge? Are you plannishing or bouceing after every third round? It may just be the showdows from the picture but looks a little rough before you did the crimps.

Keep on hammering!!

If I put in this link

http://206.125.208.236/forum/showthr...ght=warren%27s

it works and shows one of the lastest pieces I made. This was from a 91/2" 16 gauge disc. Just take it slow.

[wtowns01]

Matt,

And another comment that maybe clear up what the instuctor was doing.

As you raise the piece it will start to get "rufflely" or wavy looking at the top 1/2 to 1/3. I call these folds because the metal is folding up because the bottom is being made smaller.

As you keep raising, the folds will become more visible and actually look like little tucks. Wider at the top and narrower at the beginning. You just keep on raising and work the folds to close as you go around on a row. Working from side to side like you do a tuck, again making sure you do not fold or crimp the metal. Those folds will make little folds along the top ridge what are easy to close or raise. If the top bows out then you did not close the folds as good as they could of been and you can then do a raising round from where the bow starts to keep the sides at the right angle for a good round of raising.

I hope this makes sense. If I get a chance, I am raising a piece of copper and I may take some pictures to explain.

[Matt Ferrari]

Well, I'll be darned. That may explain why I wasn't making the sort of progress I was expecting.

This is an 8" 18 gauge disc. And, it is indeed rough.

I've heard that crimping is only done once, too, but I never understood why. Warren's explanation makes sense. Hate to admit it, but this is about my third round of crimping!

Regardless of its surface warts, it's still surprisingly symetric and even. I think it can be salvaged, too...

[kerrystagmer]

where did you guys get your metal?

I have to raise a small cup by the end of the month for a class on chasing with V. Yotkov. I just bought a 6" 18ga silver round from rio as I was in a hurry. The cup will be fully annealed and pitch filled before chasing so i expect the design will take on nice dimensions

I'm sure there is a better place to get silver, who do you guys like?

[wtowns01]

kerry,

That is always a question I ask too. It really depends on how much you need and what you need.

Since you are on the east coast you may want to try:

http://www.hagstoz.com/

I was buying a lot of sterling silver from them. They would cut you a disc to any dimension and only charge for the disc metal, not the cut offs.

There is also this http://www.silversmithing.com/1compare.htm

I do not know how often it is updated but gives the heavy hitters.
Happy shopping.

[wtowns01]

Matt and anybody else interested in raising.

I just posted some information in my gallery.

http://www.metalmeet.com/photopost/s...500&ppuser=536

let me know what you think.

thanks

[Wray Schelin]

Originally Posted by wtowns01

Matt and anybody else interested in raising.

I just posted some information in my gallery.

http://www.metalmeet.com/photopost/s...500&ppuser=536

let me know what you think.

thanks

Hi Warren,

Excellent photo essay!!

Thanks,

[george tichbourne]

I don't do much raising but you seem to be on the right track, things will smooth out with a little planishing. My efforts right now are concentrated on fine silver spoons.

[rkilgore29]

Hi Warren,

I enjoyed the tutorial. You make it look easy. While it is not the hardest thing I have ever tried, it sure ain't easy.

Thank you for putting this together.