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A hammer needs to fit your hand like a glove. Well, almost.
When you are using a quality hammer that is balanced correctly
that easily gives the results you want, it is pure heaven. My
favorite hammer to flatten and shape wire is a master quality
ball peen hammer (pictured below). The round end of the ball
peen hammer is used to texture the wire. I have tried expensive
planishing hammers, but they seem to leave marks on the wire.
A good quality chasing hammer with a convex face can also be
used. They are kind of hard to find though. The less expensive
models get marks on the face of the hammer which in turn leave
marks on the wire.
The riveting hammer (pictured below) is a lovely tool that
will make riveting a joy. It is lightweight and will make the
most cheerful little tapping sounds.
Mallets come in different sizes and are made from varying
materials. The plastic mallet in the photo (pictured below) has
a .75 inch face that directs a solid blow to the wire. Why use
a plastic mallet? To straighten and shape the wire without flattening
it. The plastic mallet is also used to harden wire.
Another type of mallet is the rawhide mallet (pictured below).
It straightens and shapes without flattening wire and Sheet
Metal
Sheet
Metal Shapes. The face is 1.5 inches and is particularly
useful in working with Sheet
Metal
Sheet
Metal Shapes. How did I get the curve in this
cuff?, by striking the metal on a bracelet mandrel with the
rawhide mallet. I also annealed the metal which is a whole other
story.
The final mallet weighs 2 pounds and is made of brass (pictured
below). Why use such a heavy tool? It is the perfect instrument
for stamping with design stamps. The heavy blow assures a deep
enough impression in the Sheet
Metal
Sheet
Metal Shapes. This is a good work out but if you have shoulder
problems you may consider something a little less hefty.
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