Positive review of Halberds *pic heavy*

[Sevastian]

Having experimented with simple tools I decided to take the plunge and buy the dishing doughnut and hammer from Halberds. The whole transaction went smooth and fast-5s across the board! Using these tools almost felt like cheating and I told Hal so in a PM. I am mostly self-taught so I have to say if I can get these results, I think most anyone can. Ok, now for peekturs:
My pattern which I modeled off an old Stonekeep cop\/

The tools I used\/

I pre-dish along the top & bottom edges with the rubber mallet. This is probabaly not needed but it seems to start the process easier\/

[Sevastian]

I then start with the hammer and doughnut around the top and bottom edges echo-ing what I did with the rubber mallet\/


This is a side shot showing the profile starting to take shape\/(sorry for the fuzzy focus)

I then start to work the middle-no big hits yet since I'm just asking the metal to move with a lot of taps\/

[Sevastian]

The edges will start to crinkle. I tap them down as I go\/


When the cop starts to take the dishing I up the stink a bit on the hammer in the center hits\/

After about 45 minutes of hammering I end up with a rough but service-able knee cop!\/


Again, I am a relative noob with a hammer so if I can do it I'm pretty sure you can, too! Time for me to start saving up for a planishing hammer and ball stake so I can smooth my stuff! Thanks Halberds!

[Varukh]

very awesome. if you don't mind me asking...how much was the doughnut and hammer?

[Nathan Hartman]

Grumble grumble grumble... stupid thing showing up the day I left Anchorage... grumble grumble grumble...

Seriously though Sevastian, I it's looking good. Maybe next time we're up your way we could have an armoring day/evening? Just a thought...

[Sevastian]

very awesome. if you don't mind me asking...how much was the doughnut and hammer?

As I recall, they were $166 shipped as soon as they were constructed.

[Sevastian]

Grumble grumble grumble... stupid thing showing up the day I left Anchorage... grumble grumble grumble...

Seriously though Sevastian, I it's looking good. Maybe next time we're up your way we could have an armoring day/evening? Just a thought...

Highness, you have but to ask. Inform me a day or two prior to your arrival and I'm sure I can impart what little I've learned. That I can crank out a simple cop in about an hour is due to your trusting me with your shear. I am in your debt.

[Halberds]

Thanks for the great pics.
Looks like you took to that like a duck to water.
Jolly well done.

Hal.

[Sevastian]

The right tools make a huge difference, Hal. What tools/methods would you recommend to smooth out the hammer marks? A planishing hammer for sure, but what else?

[Halberds]

I would think a planishing ball or a mushroom dome would work fine.





I would move the piece over the planishing stake's sweet spot, and use a highly polished planishing hammer to tap all over the outside to smooth everything out.
Light blows to give it that beautiful polished facet look.

[Sevastian]

How much for the mushroom and a base for it? My anvil shaped object wouldn't do as a base.

[Halberds]

PM sent.
Thank you for asking.

At your service.

Hal