This weeks #tooltalktuesday is about forming tools! I received this set from @splenortools and...

This weeks #tooltalktuesday is about forming tools! I received this set from @splenortools and have spent weeks working with it, brainstorming all the possible uses. I fear this post does not even do it justice, but here we go: the Swage block (the grooved block) has a variety of uses, I mainly have used it to curve sheet into half round shapes. It can also be used to support metal while stamping, in my case I placed my half round wire in the groove and it prevented the metal from getting deformed. Along the same lines you could take a ring that you need to stamp the interior of and the block could support the ring (inside one of its half round grooves) as you stamp to prevent it from deforming! You can also hammer wire into the channels to form them into various shapes but I personally have not used it for that. The mini anvil I found worked great for shaping small circular bezels, I also used the flat surface to stamp smaller items. The set comes with round and square rods you can use while shaping with the forming blocks but I also found myself forming jump rings and bails on them. The set also includes a dapping block which I regularly use for creating domed shapes! You want to use a rawhide or nylon mallet (something that won’t damage the tools) when you are striking down onto the blocks or onto the rods. If you are just hitting the top of a dap you can use a brass mallet. There are so many companies that makes these tools (I know it’s overwhelming) @splenortools describes their tools as somewhere between economy and the higher end, so it’s not a bad option for those who are interested in forming tools and this set does have a good amount of variety. If you are super handy with these forming tools and want to share some tips with us please reach out, would love to see what you do with them! 🙏🏻💕 #sponsored #metalsmithsociety #jewelrytools