Fold Forming

For a new project in class, Mr. Garrott taught us a new technique called fold forming. This is the process of shaping metal by repeatedly heating and hammering the metal. I started with a sheet of copper which I cut into a 2.5 by 1.5 inch rectangle. A dreary procedure of filing and chiseling a line directly down the middle to allow for a clean fold. Annealing the copper then softens the metal so that the metal is easier to fold in half. Holding the copper in place using a vise to secure it, half way sticking out, I pushed on one side to fold it over on itself. Since it only folds halfway, hammering the copper down with a rounded mallet allows the metal to lay flat in two layers. Once it was able to be completely flat, using a jewelers saw I cut a crescent out of the layered metal. Fully cut out, a system of hammering on one edge of the copper and annealing the metal to allow the copper to bend outwards. The hammer pushes the metal outwards with each blow and must be repeated over and over to achieve observable movement. This in total is a very simple, loud process that I wish I had known about earlier. Not only does it create an interesting, organic piece of metal but it is also a great let out for pent up frustrations!