Fold Forming Tool List

By Charles Lewton-BrainMore from this author

Updated on May 29, 2023

This article covers fold forming tools that are essential for jewelry making.

Please have on hand:

Ear muffs or plugs and safety glasses.

Metal:

1. Thin copper sheet, 24 gauge (0.5mm) is best, sold often as 'roofing copper'. It is sometimes sold as '16 ounce' copper or .021 copper. Cut into a selection of squares and rectangles for learning.
2. Aluminum will also work for practicing, again 24 gauge.
3. Brass wire, 22 gauge, (0.8mm), ten feet or so, round. 18g iron binding wire is also useful.

Tools:

• Selection of hammers, mallets and stakes.
• Raising/forging hammers are most important.
• A basic T-Stake is very useful.
• Selection of pliers.
• Hand shears, aviation snips.
• Anvil
• Annealing equipment, soldering equipment and supplies.
• Access to water for quenching and cleaning. (A kiln can also be used for annealing).
• Sheet rolling mill and wire rolling mill for rolled folds.
• Large mounted vise, 6 inches wide or larger. A blacksmith's leg or post vise is also useful.
• Hydraulic press if available. If so then have on hand some 1/4″ plexiglass scrap for cutting shapes from.
• Flex shaft, key, silicon carbide separating discs and mandrel for them.
• Fabulustre® and buff on polishing motor for polishing hammers.
• A belt sander is very useful for altering forging hammers to improve them.

By Charles Lewton-Brain – © Brain Press Publications – 2008

All rights reserved internationally. Copyright © Charles Lewton-Brain. Users have permission to download the information and share it as long as no money is made-no commercial use of this information is allowed without permission in writing from Charles Lewton-Brain.

Hardcover: 160 pages Publisher: Brynmorgen Press; 1st edition (April 15, 2008) ISBN-10: 1929565267 ISBN-13: 978-1929565269 Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.3 x 0.7 inches Purchase your own copy of “Foldforming (Hardcover)” today.