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Thread: how should I hammer these links?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
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    567

    Default how should I hammer these links?

    Hope someone can help me with this.
    I love dimpled hammered links. Love hammering them, love using them, love looking at them blah blah......but I don't think I'm making them properly. I start off having a bash on the steel stake with the ball part of a ball pein hammer and think 'mmmmm....lush', then I turn the link over and do the same thing. Then I take a look at the first side again and it's gone a bit flat (basic physics, I know), so I have another bash and........turn over link again and.....I think you can guess the rest.
    I usually end up turning & hammering several times with progressively lighter strikes and transferring to the wooden peg towards the end. The result is a finish that's kind of hammered and quite pleasant but without the real definition of that first hammering.
    Is there a way of doing it better?
    J x

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Derbyshire
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    466

    Default

    Morning Jayne,

    If I want definition on both sides I hammer on a leather sandbag, which leaves the underside intact. I have no idea if this is the best way, but through trial and error is the only thing I have found that has worked for me.

    Hope this helps

    Lisa x

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
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    567

    Default

    I have tried protecting the underside with a beading mat before (it was handy lol!) but found that I couldn't get anywhere near the same definition. I will have a dig around and see if I can improvise a leather something - thanks for the tip Lisa
    J x

  4. #4
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    Default

    I do the first side on a bench block, and the second on a sandbag. I find if I do both sides on the softer surface I tend to bash everything out of shape!

  5. #5
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    Sep 2009
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by mizgeorge View Post
    I do the first side on a bench block
    (sorry - newbie questioning coming up) is that steel or wood?
    J x

  6. #6
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    Jul 2009
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    Romsey
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    Default

    I'd expect steel - but it just occurred to me that an end-grain softwood block should be quite good for hammering the second side.

  7. #7
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    Sep 2009
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    Default

    thanks for all the advice
    I shall go for a bash and report back!
    J x

  8. #8
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    Ohh - interesting question, as I got my stake & hammer yesterday. You've answered another question for me again, before I'd even thought of it! Well done guys!
    Jules

  9. #9
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    Aug 2009
    Location
    Rushden, Northamptonshire
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    Quote Originally Posted by Petal View Post
    Ohh - interesting question, as I got my stake & hammer yesterday. You've answered another question for me again, before I'd even thought of it! Well done guys!
    Every one on the forum (barring me) is definitely on my list of "people to learn from".
    Anne

    Feel the fear, and do it anyway!
    Blog: http://www.whiteoakjewellery.blogspot.com/
    Website: http://www.whiteoakjewellery.co.uk

  10. #10
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    West Midlands
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    Quote Originally Posted by snow_imp View Post
    Every one on the forum (barring me) is definitely on my list of "people to learn from".
    Oh Anne, you're doing yourself down there! I think everyone learns something new every day - and we all help each other on this forum - that's what makes it so special. Looking at your byzantine weave, you've done something I could never hope to master! So you should feel proud of what you've achieved ! We need a "pat on the back" smilie here!
    Jules

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