Creative Metal Forming

I loved this book before I even sat down to read it. The photos are gorgeous, about evenly split between the how-to instruction and a gallery of inspiring masterworks by many artisans, the authors included.But this is about the instruction, and this book is as good as any could be. It offers clear, well-depicted, step by step directions for metal forming, from earring sized on up to large sculptural objects. The "projects" here are purely training exercises - something I like, but that others might find indirect. Instead of making some finished thing, instruction focuses on mastering techniques on smallish practice pieces that do nothing but demonstrate the process. To my mind, this avoids the pressure of trying to create some finished work or portfolio piece using unfamiliar tools and methods. Instead, it encourages exploration and play, the activities that really develop skill. And, since there's no promise of some beautiful finished work at the end, there's no promise to break when a beginner needs more practice. At the end of each exercise, the authors suggest applications and variations, but never force the novice to do a perfect job the first time out.Even a book this thick and dense can't cover everything. Chasing and repousee techniques get some mention, but never become part of the syllabus. Foldforming appears, but with nowhere near the attention you see in the book specific to the topic. And raising, though presented well enough, deserves volumes of its own. It probably helps a reader to have at least a little familiarity with some of the basics, but students with a little background will get a lot out of this.In fact, readers might get a good bit more than they came for. The authors start gently, showing how to use a simple 2x4 in a vise as a tool to help shape metal. By degrees, this toolsmithing theme develops. Readers are invited to make their own stakes from hardwood - even just a shaped notch in a piece of maple, working up to more complex shapes for specific tasks. Then, they show a hammer's handle modified to suit the individual's hand or work habit, and hammer-heads ground and polished to specific purposes. They encourage readers to create their own mallets from plastic, and work their way up to light blacksmithing of custom hammer heads and anticlastic stakes. Toolsmithing appears in many metalwork books, but seems to jump in at the deep end. The gradual approach offered here gives readers many more degrees of involvement in making and adapting tools, an approach that I find far more inviting.The final test of any how-to book comes down to one question: Could you go to the bench right now, reasonably confident in what you've learned? In this case, the answer is a loud and eager "Yes." I can't wait to get started!-- wiredweird

Fully loaded with beautiful information and clear pictures

This is an excellent book! I have a large collection of blacksmithing and knife making books and recently bought Creative Metal Forming. I must say this is the VERY BEST concept/instructional book I have ever read. Having been a technician for many years and also a technical writer, I’m very critical of most “how-to” documents because of inconsistent delivery, missing information and often what the user needs is just not there. In Creative Metal Forming, each section is thoughtfully presented with clear consistent, instruction and exercises, building on concepts as the book progresses. Each section also ends with thought provoking considerations on how you might apply what you learned in the exercises to your own ideas and includes inspirational photos of work by several artists. This book is clearly written by experts, but from the user’s perspective. I mean how many instructions do you see that provide alternative methods, depending on the tools you have! Don’t have access to the tools you need, the book is interspersed with tool modifications and a complete chapter on tool making. The instruction for making sinusoidal stakes is step by step with the part number for the inexpensive drift punch needed and full size pictures of the tool preparation. Make one of these and you pay for the book, twice! I could go on and on about this book. If your into metalsmithing, I could not recommend this book more.

This is a terrific book -- a broad basic reference covering the many aspects of artistic metal work. It's a practical studio guide, discussing tools, materials, and techniques in a clear and meaningful way. Numerous illustrations and exercises throughout give the reader/student/practitioner a clear and helpful way forward to pursue this artform. The book is well illustrated and provides numerous photos of finished pieces by accomplished metal artists and craftspeople.

Creative Metal Forming is the bible of forming metal! This thoughtful and well written book is full of valuable information on the process of fabricating metal into beautiful structures. There is detailed information on the basics of forming many shapes such as: synclastic, anticlastic, spiculums, shells and raising metal as well as many others. Additionally, there are sequential exercises throughout with enough information to inspire the readers own creativity.The authors have simplfied Heikki Seppa's pioneer work into an understandable form and have poured themselves and their vast knowledge into this extremely useful book. I have a large library of metalsmithing books, many useful in what they cover, but I consider this one to be one of the most valuable references on my bench.

Wonderful. At last a creative book that actually explains/shows the techniques.So many other books in the creative fields are just glossy pictures of someone's work with little to no real instructions as to 'how to'.This book is so well done. Step by step instructions and very helpful tips, accompanied by step by step pictures. This was a completely well thought through book.Following the details of the exercises in this book is almost as good as being with the instructors in a class. The instructions, tips and photos are thoroughly descriptive and comprehensive.I am extremely pleased with this book and applaud the authors for their careful consideration in teaching us their craft in book form.

Great book!