#Ball peen hammer how to
#Ball peen hammer full

The handle is made of fiberglass, wood (commonly a tough, springy hickory wood), or steel. The claw hammer’s steel head is dual-function: The face drives nails and the two-pronged claw pulls nails out of wood. Claw hammers are commonly used for woodworking and household repairs.įor most of us, this is the design we reach for when we need a hammer. Then place the ring in a jewelry tumbler to finish.Photo: 1. Work evenly around the ring and take your time to get the desired effect.Ĭlean up the inside ring in the same manner as the outside. Then place it on a mandrel and use a ball peen hammer to add texture to the ring’s surface. Grind the surface of the ring to a shine. Polish the surface of the ring as shown and brush with a wire brush. Place the ring in on a mandrel again and hammer to even out the shape. Solder the ring seam as shown in the video or using your preferred soldering method. Close the seam of the ring up with pliers to ensure an even join. Hammer the silver strip around a mandrel to form into a ring. File down the silver to remove any sharp edges. Measure the strip of silver for your desired ring size, score the metal, and cut to the right length. Begin by cutting a piece of sterling silver to a manageable size. This tutorial shows a ball peen hammer being used to create a beautiful texture on the surface of a ring.

#Ball peen hammer how to

For blacksmiths, a tutorial is included on how to make your own ball peen hammer. These video tutorials show how to incorporate a ball peen hammer into silversmithing and coppersmithing projects. Those working with soft metals like silver and copper can utilize a ball peen hammer to achieve a decorative texture on the surface of their finished product.īall Peen Hammer Tutorials for Silversmiths, Coppersmiths, and Blacksmithsīall peen hammers have a few uses depending on your style of smithing.

Blacksmiths work with harder metal and usually seek to leave as few hammer marks on their finished work as possible. It’s worth noting that you will use a ball peen hammer far more if you are a silversmith or coppersmith. This type of finish is not characteristic of blacksmithing and is unnecessary. Typically, blacksmiths shouldn’t use ball peen hammers to create a hammered texture on the surface of their work. The rounded peen allows the hammer to fit well into a small swage, but may leave hammer marks.īall peen hammers can also be used for spreading out rivets, but this can be done without one. If you predict that you will do this type of work often, a ball peen hammer might be a worthwhile investment, especially since these hammers are generally easy and affordable to acquire.Īnother job fit for a ball peen hammer is dishing out metal using a swage. This type of hammer is definitely not required in the workshop, but is handy to have for spreading metal quickly and evenly. Uses in Blacksmithing, Silversmithing, and Coppersmithing Ball peen hammers are useful across a variety of disciplines, including silversmithing. There are plenty of tutorials for this online, and we have included a good one in this article. If you are a blacksmith, consider making your own ball peen hammer.

#Ball peen hammer full

You can also find them at hardware stores and online if you are willing to pay full price. Most yard sales and flea markets will have a few to choose from.

If you are using a ball peen hammer as your main tool, make sure to buy a heavy one.īall peen hammers are easy to find at low prices. This is especially helpful for beginners because ball peen hammers are easy to find and are affordable, which we will discuss further below.īall peen hammers are made in a range of sizes and weights, from around 8 ounces to 2 or 3 pounds. The flat face is appropriate for most beginner level projects and you should have no problem using the flat face to work a variety of techniques. If you are a new smith with few tools, you can use a heavy ball peen hammer as your main forging hammer. While ball peen hammers are not required for most blacksmithing projects, they are handy tools to have in your workshop.

James Case from Philadelphia, Mississippi, U.S.A., CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Let’s take a look at what ball peen hammers are used for in various smithing situations.Ī Handy Tool at the Forge A ball peen hammer is a handy but optional tool in the workshop. This type of hammer is characterized by its ball-shaped peen.

A ball peen hammer is a common tool used in all types of traditional forging.