Egg shape

[markmalta@hotmail.com]

Dear all,

I need some tips/expertise! I have a project which I want to tackle :) Basically, I want to make an egg.. hollow in sterling silver! Like the Faberge eggs.. Any tips on doing the actual hollow egg? Press forming? spinning? casting?.. I ordered some wooden eggs and am thinking of cutting one in half, putting on a lathe, and slowly (with lots of annealing) spinning it into shape (or try to!).. All feedback is appreciated! :D

Regards,

Mark
from the little island of Malta

[Ruedeleglise]

Sounds intriguing, but could you expand on the wooden half egg / spinning with annealing……….
David


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[josef1]

You could cast it in silver. Maybe pour molten jewellers wax over half an egg then have a couple of them cast and solder together . You could cut a pattern out of the wax too its easier than metal.

[markmalta@hotmail.com]

Basically have a flat sterling silver sheet, and with a huge burnished push it to shape while on a lathe :D

[markmalta@hotmail.com]

You could cast it in silver. Maybe pour molten jewellers wax over half an egg then have a couple of them cast and solder together . You could cut a pattern out of the wax too its easier than metal.

this sounds interesting too! hmm!!

[Dennis]

Our member James Miller has made lots of eggs. He might not see you here, but if you find him on twitter he will help you.
https://www.google.com/search?channel=trow5&sxsrf=AOaemvIfMgFF4dMC0FJqfO4eJzdVKoOFDA:164245335 3922&source=univ&tbm=isch&q=James+miller+eggs&client=firefox-b-d&fir=E-p3gdc0ZvTUqM%252CszQAbdAKMmBQMM%252C_%253BwkAXj40r By1eyM%252C4C2xjFKi8MnyyM%252C_%253B2V4hpCFKVsGOcM %252CpTr-NpUBBsrJxM%252C_%253BLOg2EKg2HgetyM%252CpTr-NpUBBsrJxM%252C_%253BNHskmD1G1C_4iM%252CTnYkMBpmy_ G60M%252C_%253B2REbdGvj4dVJUM%252CbHvmF8t3MBlwAM%2 52C_%253BCn9bze_DIQaedM%252CUFg-mdTHgD47OM%252C_%253BvdzH6yX71j2I8M%252CTnYkMBpmy_ G60M%252C_%253B1w3fBcQlMDX9GM%252CszQAbdAKMmBQMM%2 52C_%253Bc5Ah9TiiVmI9pM%252CszQAbdAKMmBQMM%252C_&usg=AI4_-kSULtwahKgywup48EfQopvV-Cmmjg&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjfquHF17n1AhUymVwKHYwxAEoQjJkEegQIAhAC&biw=1600&bih=766&dpr=1.2
Dennis.

[china]

If you have the equipment "spinning" would be a very simple method, metal spinning is used is quite a few workshops to make hollow forms from all manner of metals as you mentioned annealing is very important, as soon as the metal stops moving it is time to anneal.

[Dennis]

That said, you will always need to make the hollow shell in two parts, and for most methods it will be easier to make two identical vertical halves, and the join them.
For instance you could lay the master form (suitably covered in kitchen foil, or a separating medium) half way into self curing acrylic, supported in a metal box.
This would give you the mould for making two identical halves, for instance using a hydraulic press.

Alternatively, you could abandon using sheet metal, blow the contents out of a real egg, and electro form the silver onto the shell. Dennis.

[markmalta@hotmail.com]

If you have the equipment "spinning" would be a very simple method, metal spinning is used is quite a few workshops to make hollow forms from all manner of metals as you mentioned annealing is very important, as soon as the metal stops moving it is time to anneal.

Got a normal lathe at work.. maybe I can try on that!! :D

[markmalta@hotmail.com]

That said, you will always need to make the hollow shell in two parts, and for most methods it will be easier to make two identical vertical halves, and the join them.
For instance you could lay the master form (suitably covered in kitchen foil, or a separating medium) half way into self curing acrylic, supported in a metal box.
This would give you the mould for making two identical halves, for instance using a hydraulic press.

Alternatively, you could abandon using sheet metal, blow the contents out of a real egg, and electro form the silver onto the shell. Dennis.

Will contact James for some tips! ;) The acyrcillic idea popped in my had, as well as 3d printed and press form it.. loads of ideas! :D

[china]

I could not find anything on eggs although this is the same procedure
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qdk9Qot7B_A

[alastairduncan]

Spinning requires some heavy duty equipment. There are some significant forces produced. The pushers are large and fit under the arm so that you can get your body weight behind the tool as the video Bob shows.

Here's an image of an egg that a spinner in the UK has made.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B8O5raJnapEQmT5z-3Bex9BJKotz2AwaIzOgqk0

Here's a video of him doing some spinning

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CFewzwdHrT8pvUltl3EK7FH2xvJGQlG-AF-JmQ0

If you require a longitudinal seam as Dennis suggested, stamping with a flypress, hydraulic press of drop hammer may be options. All require some heavy duty equipment. Depending on the size you are making you may be able to use a big hammer and lead block like the spoon bashers do.

https://youtube.com/shorts/5mnjNV3pzF0

[alastairduncan]

Here is a further video of a spoon being forged and stamped. He uses tin instead of lead that the old spoonies used to use. You should be able to see how this method could be used to shape a hollow form.

https://youtu.be/qui1bSrotsw

[markmalta@hotmail.com]

Spinning requires some heavy duty equipment. There are some significant forces produced. The pushers are large and fit under the arm so that you can get your body weight behind the tool as the video Bob shows.

Here's an image of an egg that a spinner in the UK has made.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B8O5raJnapEQmT5z-3Bex9BJKotz2AwaIzOgqk0

Here's a video of him doing some spinning

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CFewzwdHrT8pvUltl3EK7FH2xvJGQlG-AF-JmQ0

If you require a longitudinal seam as Dennis suggested, stamping with a flypress, hydraulic press of drop hammer may be options. All require some heavy duty equipment. Depending on the size you are making you may be able to use a big hammer and lead block like the spoon bashers do.

https://youtube.com/shorts/5mnjNV3pzF0

Thank you! This is so helpful! Seem I would have to delegate someone to do the egg shape for me and I will concentrate on the filigree part of the project! Thank you all so very much!!

[alastairduncan]

The methods that require heavy duty equipment may not be available to you but there are methods to shape sheet into hollow forms that are suitable for one offs or short runs. They are based on a hammer a punch and a mould of some sort. Dapping blocks are an example. You can get dapping blocks made from timber, they may not last a long time but are suitable for a small number of pieces. You mentioned you had a lathe, you could try turning one up yourself? Some plastics may be suitable. Try it with copper, try different thicknesses to see how it responds. Punches can be made from timber, plastics, brass, mild steel and toolsteel. You may surprise yourself and enjoy the toolmaking process? Whatever gets the job done and is available to you.

[MMM Jewellery]

Hi
I made this spoon form using a cheap cnc router and delrin type plastic block- pretty much an egg form, just needs to be a bit deeper. Stood up well to bashing: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=406087037979984&id=100057360741593 . I'm working on more complex forms and punches now. Cheers Matt

[alastairduncan]

Great idea Matt which has produced a very nice spoon. I like the stone set in the handle.