Level: All Skill Levels
Requirements: Basic Metalsmithing Skills
Program: Summer
Status: Open
Length: 5 Days
Tuition: $ 650
Only $ 617.5 for registration before 09 June 2008
Materials: $ 80
Date: July 09, 2008 - July 13, 2008
Time: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Location: Metalwerx

Work with the biggest "hammer" in the shop! Learn to use Bonny Doon forming tools in the hydraulic press to explore the design and form possibilities they offer.

The workshop will begin with Hydraulic Press Safety And Care. You will become skilled using the anticlastic and synclastic forming tool sets, the urethane and restraining rings forming system, as well as the contained urethane blocks and mushroom formers. Learn about and understand how take advantage of the various thicknesses and hardnesses of urethane for effective and creative embossing and forming.

Make and use your own embossing and silhouette dies, and learn methods for split silhouette dies and making a reversible silhouette die to create hollow forms --- matching forms can be soldered together. Use deep draw tools to form 3" discs into cylinders which can be cut into seamless rings, or become a container-pendant, stamp box, or vessel. Combine hydraulic press forming with surface enrichment techniques for limitless possibilities!

This workshop is appropriate for students with basic metalsmithing skills as well as professionals.

If you'd like to see more of Cynthia's work, please visit her website www.cynthiaeid.com

Deposits:

A 50% deposit will hold your place in this class! You must call Metalwerx at 781-891-3854 to register with a deposit. It is not possible to place a deposit through our website. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 10 AM - 4:30 PM.

NOTE: After your initial deposit, the remaining cost of tuition must be completed 4 weeks prior to the start of the class. Withdrawals less than 4 weeks prior to the start of class will result in loss of deposit.

Materials & Tools

Materials kits are available for students. They are payable when you register for this class. The kit costs $80 and includes materials needed for making your own embossing and matrix dies as well as plenty of copper and bronze to work with during the workshop.

Students may choose to bring their own sterling silver to work with if they with to use silver after doing samples with copper alloys.

Students Should Bring:

A Basic tool kit, including:

• Scissors, ruler, paper, pencil, fine tipped permanent marker (eg. Sharpie)
• Abrasive paper and sanding sticks
• Files
• Scribe
• (Hand held) metal shears
• Jeweler's saw and blades
• Choice of blades is a personal preference. Cynthia's current favorite brand is Pike Platinum. A dozen each of #0, #1, #2, and #4 would probably be enough for the workshop. Some people like spiral wax blades for sawing Plexiglas, but Cynthia's current favorite is a #4 skiptooth blade, available from Allcraft and woodworker suppliers.
• Saw blade lube
• Coarse steel flex shaft burs for carving plexi and delrin. Wax burs are good.
• Allcraft Tools (800-645-7124) has burs recommended by Cynthia for carving or embossing.
• Pliers
• Dividers
• A "shop towel" or two---this can be a hand towel, or larger-- to save on paper towels
• Dust mask
• Safety glasses
• Closed toed shoes should be worn in the studio for safety hot, sharp and/or heavy things tend to be dropped onto toes)

Additional items that students might find useful, and may wish to bring:

• Apron
• Camera
• Wire cutter
• Diamond saw or carbide cut-off wheels for the flexible shaft
• Flex shaft accessories, such as sanding discs, abrasive wheels, grinding stones, etc.

Suggested reading:

Hydraulic Die Forming For Jewelers & Metalsmiths by Susan Kingsley

and

the Discussion Group at www.bonnydonnengineering.com