Punches, bits, awls, what am I looking for?

November 14, 2024 4:44 PM

I need to resurrect the creative bone in my body and have decided I want to play around with punching aluminum. I'm not an artist, or a particularly handy person. I made this aluminum backsplash a long time ago, and I did it with a hammer and a nail, and tin snips. What compact thing(s) do I need to do this properly and are there some cool how-to sites for beginner types like me?

I live in a small space and try not to acquire more than I need, so that means I hope to keep additional tools to a minimum. I made the backplash because there was a need to block oven splatter, and I had a scrap of aluminum ducting. The nail went all the way through several times, and the tin snips left a pretty ragged edge that probably isn't optimal. But still, the result brought me joy for a long time.

I'd like to play around with more like this, and now I'm thinking of making aluminum flowers for the dormant flower/plant beds over winter. And heck maybe make some as gifts if I can figure out what approach to take that won't slice any fingers.

I'm specifically here asking what tools are best for this sort of thing, but also welcome link to inspo and/or instruction. Thanks!

posted by AnOrigamiLife to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (5 answers total)

Punching designs into metal is known as chasing and/or repousse. A set of tools in the common shapes and a chasing hammer would be about $200. A steel block with a cushion works if you don't have an anvil, but a small anvil with a good horn would help you curve your petals.

Thin blades and a jeweler's saw is useful for cutting decorative shapes in sheet metal. Here's an entry-level set. I would upgrade to a better c-clamp. Pro tip: dress your blade by cutting into a bar of soap to reduce binding.

Shapes can be fine-tuned and rough edges can be smoothed with a variety of files.

Many community art centers have jewelry-making classes and equipment. You don't have to make jewelry, if course--the techniques are the same for other decorative objects.
posted by hydrophonic at 7:04 PM on November 14 [2 favorites]

Low relief work like the one you show can be done with simple tools. A metal scribe. I would have a soft material to lay the metal on and make the scribed lined easier to make. You can make holes with punches, awls, nails, etc. Tin snips are handy to cut the sheet metal.Look t a jewelry supply webpage for assorted tools.
posted by Czjewel at 8:52 PM on November 14

Since you mentioned inspiration, there's no one working at the level of Ron Covell when it comes to metalworking. Now a lot of the stuff he's doing is probably not gonna be things the home-gamer can do, e.g. the English wheel or TIG welding. But every project he does has some aspect of basic metalworking techniques that I think anyone could derive inspiration from.
posted by Rhomboid at 12:31 AM on November 15

Is there a Maker space near you? Or maybe a class at a local community college, vocation education institute, or similar? That way, you could have access to tools and machines without owning and storing them.
posted by at at 2:20 AM on November 15

Going absolutely the other way, I’ve admired a lot of punched and engraved metalworking from the 1890s-1930s when it was popular as a cheap, urban, quiet form of making. Lots of public domain books on the subject, therefore! The later ones will be more applicable because until 1920 or so the amount of strong acid and open fire a kid could expect to be around was, ah, more than grown ups now assume. I’ll keep looking.


A blunt nail and a scrap board to punch into, and then it’s just practice until you know exactly how hard to hit for the mark you want. Your backsplash is lovely. Full backsplash, cabinet fronts, TIN CEILING, all demountable for renters? I look forward to your how-tos.
posted by clew at 12:01 PM on November 15