BUCH:CREATIVE METAL FORMING

Creative Metal Forming
by Betty Helen Longhi & Cynthia Eid

format: 21.5 x 28 cm
256 pages, full color
hard cover with jacket
700+ photos & drawings
70 illustrations
copyright 2013
ISBN 978-1-929565-49-8

Two accomplished metalsmiths, both with extensive teaching careers, have joined forces to provide a comprehensive survey of the ways to form sheet metal. The 256-page text covers a huge swath, from a basic dapped disk through synclasting, anticlasting and spiculums to a raised vessel. Along the way, special attention is given to anticlastic forming and the vocabulary first introduced by their mentor, Heikki Seppä. Creative Metal Forming includes 35 detailed exercises to explain the basics and as well as advanced nuances of each category. Metalsmiths Michael Good and Nancy Linkin have each contributed demonstrations of their forming techniques.

Read some Sample Pages in PDF-Format!

REVIEWS:
Review by Hazel Wheaton, Art Jewelry Magazine
When I first heard that Betty Helen Longhi and Cynthia Eid were writing a book on forming, I knew it would be good. But my already-high expectations fell short of the reality. In his introduction, Michael Good (no slouch in metal forming himself) states that the authors "have succeeded in assembling the first comprehensive textbook on synclastic and anticlastic forming." Which is a low-key way of saying that this book is exhaustive, beautiful, and the must-have volume on forming.

Longhi and Eid pitch their book toward all skill levels, starting with the basics so as to be easily accessible to beginners, and proceeding gradually and thoroughly (as fits their topic) into truly challenging territory by the book's end. Each forming technique covered (synclastic, anticlastic, spiculums, transitions, torqueing, foldforming and raising) begins with a thorough explanation of the process followed by a series of skill-building exercises. The foundation techniques, synclastic and anticlastic forming, are logically given the most space: Each has seven separate, progressively more challenging exercises for the reader to work through before moving on.

This isn't a project book; while some exercises may result in a beautiful formed cuff, or an intriguing shape you can easily suspend as a pendant, the intention throughout is to practice and master technique by exploring how metal moves. Periodic "Beyond the Exercise" blurbs point readers to how they may apply their new skill to a finished object, or how they may explore further. Photographs are used to excellent effect as the authors share not only meticulous process shots but also photos that illustrate the "right" and "wrong" ways to do things. The Appendix is a modestly named reference section that covers making patterns, a guild to soldering, cutting methods, tool making and customization, a rundown of metals, and a guide to refining and finishing; the information in the appendix alone makes the book worth buying.

In short, this is a benchmark book that belongs on every metalworker's shelf.

Review by Crafts Institute, UK
The foreword for this book talks about Professor Heikki Seppä, a Finnish-born metalsmith who revolutionised metal forming when he introduced the technique called anticlastic forming. Also known as reverse raising, this allowed metalworkers to bend sheet metal in any direction. Looking at the photographs of his work, you can see why this was important to him, and his pieces are as stunning as they are unusual. The rest of the book is written in the light of this, creatively using different techniques to fulfill what your imagination longs to form. There are detailed explanations of different tools and materials, followed by a host of technique to try, from how to hold your hammer to planishing and boughing (smoothing). There are colorful photographs throughout to inspire you, and exercises to practice, with plenty of step images along the way to help you create amazing results. Though the end results are impressive, the book is detailed enough that you can follow along and achieve the same in your own metal forming. Whether you’re brand new to working with metal, or you’re well practiced, there is something in this book for you, and it is essential reading for anyone who wants to improve their metal skills.