Planishing

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Diagram of planishing, showing planishing hammer, workpiece, and planishing stake (hammer not to scale)
Diagram of planishing, showing planishing hammer, workpiece, and planishing stake (hammer not to scale)

Planishing (from the Latin planus, "flat")[1] is a metalworking technique used to smooth sheet metal.

After a piece of metal has been roughly formed by techniques such as sinking or raising, the surface will have irregular indentations and bumps. To remove these imperfections, the piece is hammered between a flat or slightly curved hammer and a special forming object known as a planishing stake. [2] Using repeated, relatively soft blows, the piece is smoothed toward the curvature of the stake.

Since planishing hammers are generally in contact with the outside surface of the piece, they have rounded edges and are kept polished to avoid marring the work.[3]

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ The Complete Metalsmith, 61
  2. ^ Techniques of Medieval Armour Reproduction, 179
  3. ^ Techniques of Medieval Armour Reproduction, 79


[edit] References

  • McCreight, Tim (1991). The Complete Metalsmith. Worcester, Massachusetts: Davis Publications. ISBN 0-87192-240-1. 
  • Price, Brian (2000). Techniques of Medieval Armour Reproduction. Boulder, Colorado: Paladin Press. ISBN 1-58160-098-4. 
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