Stakes

Level: All Skill Levels
Requirements: Basic Metalsmithing Skills
Program: Fall
Status: Closed
Length: 2 Days
Tuition: $ 300
Materials: $ 15
Date: 00, 0000
Time: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Location: Metalwerx

Friday Evening, October 15, 7pm @ Metalwerx:  Bill Fretz demonstrates his full line of custom bezel making stakes and small vessel stakes. Free to the public!

Metalwerx is pleased to offer a workshop with Bill Fretz, using his new miniature sinusoidal stakes. Sheet metal formed on various anvils opens up a whole new vocabulary of shapes. The raising of small hollow forms is possible because of the variety of the available stakes. As the skill of the craftsperson increases, the nuances of the shapes and textures will allow for more personal expression. In this workshop, Bill will teach you how to take tubing, in either brass, copper or silver, and create exquisite hollowware forms in the palm of your hand.

This workshop will explore the creative relationship between hammer and miniature steel stakes.  The miniature stakes used are similar to full size silversmithing stakes, but are about 3 1/4" long.  They are hardened 416 stainless steel with highly polished working surfaces.  The small size makes them well suited for small hollowware, bracelets, hollow rings and the forming of unusual shaped bezels.

A small container (approx. 2" diameter) will be made using classic silversmithing techniques.  First a cylinder will be raised and hammered against a steel stake to give it shape.  Then it will be smoothed and refined with a planishing hammer.  Annealing and soldering long solder seams will be a part of this project.

The skills gained in this workshop will carry over into future jewelry and hollowware projects.  The miniature stakes used are precision tools which make highly sophisticated work possible.  Hammering with skill is one of the most satisfying parts of metalsmithing and this class will focus on the creative potential of the shapes possible.

For more information about these stakes,  read the article about bezel forming in Rio Grande's Spring, 2004 News & Product Review, p2.  http://www.riogrande.com/images/news_product/2004spring.pdf

Students may contact the instructor, William Fretz, at 207-469-2700, or via e-mail at goldATfretzgoldsmithsDOTcom.

Materials & Tools

Supplied by Instructor:

• Brass tubing and sheet metal
• Silver solder
• An F-2 Miniature Stake and H-1 Tool Holder will be supplied to each student for use during class time at no additional charge

Supplied by Students:

• Earplugs and safety glasses available from any hardware store
• Light work gloves if desired
• 6 or 7 oz planishing hammer, one end flat, one end slightly domed

Sources for planishing hammer:

• Rio Grande, Albuquerque, NM     1-800-545-6566
• New Item # 112-402  $25.50
• Gesswein, Bridgeport, CT           1-800-243-4466
• Item # 821-7024        $25.95
• Contenti, Providence, RI             1-800-343-3364
•  Item 261-333            $29.50
• Allcraft, New York, NY                  1-800-545-6566

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