Incredibly fine, super detailed custom jewelry can be made on a hydraulic press using hardened steel dies. Surely it must be very difficult and expensive to make those dies? WRONG. We can make all our own hardened steel dies with limited tooling. It is much EASIER than you might expect!!
In this class we will start by carving and hardening our own hand stamps in steel. Then we will carve our own master steel die and use it to make multiple different types of dies. You will learn all about coining (one- or two-sided dies with incredible detail), non-conforming dies (squish with polyurethane), and conforming dies (two-part mating dies) and how to make and use them.
You'll learn all about heat-treating steel in a kiln and the amazing ability to work in both the positive and negative with steel dies. Don’t be limited by what’s available commercially, make your own custom designs for one-of-a-kind or production!!!!
Students will use our four electric hydraulic presses which are available for use by current BoMA members who complete this class and register for our monthly Open Studio!
Prerequisites for students: Basic bench skills, sawing, filing, annealing, etc.
Dress Code: Closed-toed shoes and a tie for long hair are required in the studio.
About the instructor
Peter got his start in jewelry at a young age, working for his uncle, Master Goldsmith Phil Poirier. After college he worked as a machinist for Bonny Doon Tools, learning all about machinery, die making, and hydraulic presses. Peter has spent the last 10 years exploring what’s possible in making jewelry with contemporary and precious metals, making custom dies, and squishing things on the hydraulic press. He makes wedding and engagement rings, bolo ties, and one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry.
Visit Peter in his studio here.
Students Should Bring
Materials kit (Tools/equipment and materials/consumables instructor will supply for a fee):
Maximum number of students: 12. Students will be required to sign a waiver. Participants must be 18 or older.
Cancellation Policy
Waitlist
If the class is full, send an email to [email protected] with the name of the class, your name and ‘please add me to the waitlist’.
In this class we will start by carving and hardening our own hand stamps in steel. Then we will carve our own master steel die and use it to make multiple different types of dies. You will learn all about coining (one- or two-sided dies with incredible detail), non-conforming dies (squish with polyurethane), and conforming dies (two-part mating dies) and how to make and use them.
You'll learn all about heat-treating steel in a kiln and the amazing ability to work in both the positive and negative with steel dies. Don’t be limited by what’s available commercially, make your own custom designs for one-of-a-kind or production!!!!
Students will use our four electric hydraulic presses which are available for use by current BoMA members who complete this class and register for our monthly Open Studio!
Prerequisites for students: Basic bench skills, sawing, filing, annealing, etc.
Dress Code: Closed-toed shoes and a tie for long hair are required in the studio.
About the instructor
Peter got his start in jewelry at a young age, working for his uncle, Master Goldsmith Phil Poirier. After college he worked as a machinist for Bonny Doon Tools, learning all about machinery, die making, and hydraulic presses. Peter has spent the last 10 years exploring what’s possible in making jewelry with contemporary and precious metals, making custom dies, and squishing things on the hydraulic press. He makes wedding and engagement rings, bolo ties, and one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry.
Visit Peter in his studio here.
Students Should Bring
- Flat Hand File, Cut#6
- Half-round hand file
- Jeweler's saw, saw blades and lubricant
- 6" steel ruler
- Extra fine sharpie
- Magnification
Materials kit (Tools/equipment and materials/consumables instructor will supply for a fee):
- Instructor will provide brass/copper and other consumables for the class.
- If you want to bring your own silver for class feel free.18 or 20 gauge is best.
- Bring any tools or dies that you have.
- We’ll be making ring and bracelet blanks in class but you may bring any projects of your own
Maximum number of students: 12. Students will be required to sign a waiver. Participants must be 18 or older.
Cancellation Policy
- You may cancel up to 30 days prior to the start of the class and receive a full refund, less $25 processing. To cancel, send an email to [email protected].
- Cancellations less than 30 days prior to the start date will not be refunded.
- In the event we have to cancel a class, you will be notified prior to the start date and will be issued a full refund.
- Registration is not transferrable. You may not sell your seat to another student.
- If a class has multiple sessions, and you miss one, there is no make up opportunity and the instructor will not catch you up at the next class session. You may not join the next scheduled class, as there’s a maximum number of students for every class and it’s not fair to the other students.
- Please plan extra time to find us if you’re coming to BoMA for the first time. If you are late to a class, the instructor will not catch you up. There’s a structured curriculum for every class and its not fair to other students to skip part of the curriculum to catch up a student who’s late.
- Snow. Colorado has frequent snowstorms in the winter and does a good job maintaining their roads in the snow. Snowy weather is a regular occurrence in our area and most people are accustomed to traveling under such conditions. Classes will be cancelled only in the case of inclement weather conditions that would make class attendance unsafe. If the National Weather Services issues a Winter Storm Warning for the time period of the class, we will cancel the class. https://www.weather.gov/bou/winterguide
- By clicking on the “Buy Now” button and by paying the registration fee, you are agreeing to this cancellation policy.
- No Exceptions.
Waitlist
If the class is full, send an email to [email protected] with the name of the class, your name and ‘please add me to the waitlist’.
