[Jewelry making - Article 00018] - Re: [Orchid] Chasing Vs. Graving

[Sam Patania]

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    Dear Stephanie, Chasing would be bending metal from the front of the
    piece. Using something under the metal like pitch or leather so that
    the metal has a place to go and not stretch. If you were to use
    chasing tools on your brass or copper which was on a hard surface
    like a steel block you would start to stretch the copper or brass and
    warp the piece, that is a sure sign of stretching. Engraving is
    removing metal with sharp gravers and making design by removing metal
    at the surface of the piece. Engraving will not stretch or bend the
    metal. 

    Getting straight lines in metal can be done with straight chisels of
    various lengths. First I use a divider to mark my line on the piece
    if the line to be chiseled parallels the straight edges of the piece.
    If the line doesn't parallel the straight edges I use a scriber to
    push into the two ends of the straight line so I have indented points
    to push my ruler against and follow the ruler with my scriber. For
    both types of lines, both of which are straight, I will scribe the
    line to be chiseled DEEP with either the scriber or divider so I can
    feel the edge of the chisel fall into the line. Then I will tap the
    chisel with a brass hammer to deepen it and then go overthe entire
    line again hitting as hard as I want the line to be deep. The metal
    under the chisel is parting and compressing so it is hardening. The
    hardening can be used to your advantage if you are going to bend
    along the line chiseled. The hardening can be removed by annealing
    but the parted or cut metal will make for a weak area if future
    shaping is to be done. One way to learn very quickly about all this
    is to study not just the jewelry books for this type of information
    but blacksmithing and lapidary books also. Blacksmiths often cut
    steel by heating ( steal is worked hot, non ferrous metals are worked
    cold) and pounding the steel against the edge of the anvil with a
    steel hammer. This is the same effect as chiseling. I teach polishing
    and I use the broader term of finishing to denote the entire
    polishing process from filing, sanding and cloth wheel final
    polishing by cutting and polishing a piece of quartz. If you can
    polish quartz,and will understand what needs to happen, any metal you
    will ever come across. 

    You must use a steel block under any brass or copper you are
    chiseling or the surface you are hitting on will absorb the energy
    from the hammer and reflect it making the piece bounce and the chisel
    will often mar the piece giving you a double line. 

    I hope this helps, if you have any other questions you may write me
    off line, pataniajewelry AT earthlink.net. If you are in Southern Arizona
    please stop in my studio and I can easily demo this for you. 

Sam Patania, Tucson
www.patanias.com


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