In the article on Making Metal Beads (March 2006) you used a hydraulic press to dome the beads. Would using a wood dapping block work as well or is a hydraulic press better? I understand that a metal dapping block may mar the roll printed design, but would a wood dapping block work as well as a press?
Thanks in advance for your help,
Stephanie R.

Hi Stephanie,

I had Nanz Aalund, Art Jewelry's Associate Editor, take a look at your question, and here is her response:

"A wooden dapping block perhaps could work as well as a hydralic press if you also used wooden punches. It would take several stages of moving the disk into deeper hemispheres on a wooden block to work well. Depending on the hardness of the wood, it could still mar the roll-printed pattern on the metal. I don’t think you’d be able to get as deep a dome on small disks using a wooden dapping block. The hydralic press is faster to dome the disks, as I was able to get them to dome in a single pressing without marring the pattern.

"The hydralic press is more exact for cutting circles out of printed metal when using a circle cutter, because there is no movement of the metal (therefore no marring) between hammer blows like when a circle cutter is used with a hammer. The hydralic press is also less damaging to use with a circle cutter than a hammer."

I hope this helps!

Thanks Nanz - I don't always have access to a hydraulic press - that's why I asked. Your answer was helpful.
Stephanie