Basic Round Well Wood Dapping Blocks

by Judy Larson

It is amazing how much life and movement can be given to a piece by adding a tiny bit of dimension to project elements. Using a metal dapping/forming cube can destroy the texture on the metal. I got tired of searching for where I last put the felt and thin leather bits I used to protect the metal when shaping pieces in a metal dapping block. After purchasing a wood dapping cube, I never looked back. If I had searched all the wood dapping tools, I may have made different choices with the first tool purchased.

Instructions

For years, the wood cube dapping block (DAP-128.00) worked well for me.

Then I found I needed the Wooden Quad Dapping Block (DAP-144.00) to shape copper discs into bowls for enameling.

Recently, I ordered the Wood Dapping Block with 7 Depressions (DAP-155.00), and the smaller well depressions have already seen a lot of use in just a month.

You may not need more than a basic wood dapping cube, but it's helpful to understand the differences between the three and the size ranges they offer.

The cube block has six well depressions ranging from 1-7/16" to 1-7/8" in diameter much larger than those in the 7 Depressions block.

The wells in the 7 Depressions block range from ½" to 1-7/16" in diameter.

Judy Larson's Basic Round Well Wood Dapping Blocks - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, wood dapping blocks

The smallest well depression in the cube block is the same diameter as the largest well depression in the Wood Dapping Block with 7 Depressions.

There is a slight difference in the depth of the wells between the two.

The well depressions in the cube dapping block seem to be a bit deeper than the well depressions in the rectangular dapping block.

Judy Larson's Basic Round Well Wood Dapping Blocks - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, well depressions in the cube dapping block

The largest dapping well depression in the cube is smaller than the well in the Wooden Quad--Dapping Block, with well depressions ranging in size from 2-9/16" to 3-7/8" in diameter.

Judy Larson's Basic Round Well Wood Dapping Blocks - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, largest dapping well depression

The gradation in sizes between the three dapping blocks can come in handy for so many projects.

When I needed smaller well depressions than I could find in commercially available wood tools, thank heavens wood is easily carved and could be adapted to suit my needs.

Judy Larson's Basic Round Well Wood Dapping Blocks - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, carved and could be adapted to suit my needs

If I had known how often I'd use my wood dapping tools, my first purchase would have been the 11 Piece Wood Dapping Set (DAP-160.00), since it includes daps that match the well depressions.

However, I already own the 8 Piece Nylon Punch Set (DAP-748.00), the Jumbo Wood Dapping Punches (DAP-142.00), and the Domed Face Nylon Hammer (HAM-394.00), along with other soft punches and nylon forming hammers.

So, I didn't need the block with additional punches.

When dapping on a metal block with the design side facing up, wood and nylon punches and hammers are essential for preserving the surface.

Judy Larson's Basic Round Well Wood Dapping Blocks - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, 8 Piece Nylon Punch Set

Judy Larson's Basic Round Well Wood Dapping Blocks - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, Jumbo Wood Dapping Punches

Judy Larson's Basic Round Well Wood Dapping Blocks - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, Domed Face Nylon Hammer

STORAGE

Since my larger, flat dapping blocks do not fit in the container all my other dapping supplies are in, I slide them on a shelf within easy reach, along with other tools I have still not found closed storage for.

Even when sealed with a finish, wood can swell and warp in high humidity so store these tools in a container like a plastic shoe box, many of which are air-tight.

The containers do not need to be perfectly air-tight unless the tools are to be left stored for a long period of time. This storage rule would apply to all other tools as well.

Some final thoughts:

Whenever I use my metal or wood dapping cubes, it feels like playing with a Rubik's Cube constantly turning it to find the right depression for the project.

I prefer the flat dapping blocks because it's much easier to visually compare sizes when they're all laid out in front of you.

Yes, you only need a few tools to create beautiful jewelry.

But as your skills evolve, your tool needs may evolve too.

If a new tool helps you work faster, more easily, or lets you learn a new technique, it's worth the investment.

Judy Larson's Basic Round Well Wood Dapping Blocks - STORAGE, Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, wood dapping blocks

Materials

Sheet Metal - wide variety

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Metal Blanks - Wide variety

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Tools

Wood Dapping Block with 2 Punches

DAP-128.00

DAP-128.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $6.97
Gold Club Price: $5.23

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Wooden Quad--Dapping Block

DAP-144.00

DAP-144.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $25.40
Gold Club Price: $19.05

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Wood Dapping Block with 7 Depressions

DAP-155.00

DAP-155.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $24.95
Gold Club Price: $18.71

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11 Piece Wood Dapping Set

DAP-160.00

DAP-160.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $64.97
Gold Club Price: $48.73

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8 Piece Nylon Punch Set

DAP-748.00

DAP-748.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $19.97
Gold Club Price: $14.98

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JUMBO WOOD DAPPING PUNCHES

DAP-142.00

DAP-142.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $19.95
Gold Club Price: $14.96

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Domed Face Nylon Hammer

HAM-394.00

HAM-394.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $15.95
Gold Club Price: $11.96

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NYLON TIPPED FORMING HAMMER W/9 FACES

HAM-485.00

HAM-485.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $24.95
Gold Club Price: $18.71

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Category: Tools
Technique(s): Tools

Reviews

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Judy Larson

My philosophy has always been "I will never live long enough to learn everything I want to learn, go everywhere I want to go and see everything I want to see!" So, what I make and how I create it is always changing and evolving. I was born shortly after WWII to parents who grew up during the Depression. They always had a "we can do it, we can make it" attitude which rubbed off on my two younger brothers and me. My brothers are amazing and can make and do ANYTHING! When I was a little girl, my mother gave me an old carved cigar box, which I cherish, filled with pop beads, wooden beads and yarn for stringing. That was the beginning of my jewelry making journey.

On a visit to the Grand Canyon when I was a young woman, I was fortunate enough to help a Native American silversmith sand cast my first silver bracelet and bezel set a large turquoise nugget on top. I was in love, hook, line and sinker! While working full time and having a family here in northern Minnesota, my artistic endeavors slowed down but never stopped. I am an artist, scrapbooker, seamstress, woodworker and jewelry artisan. Now that I am retired, I am able to indulge in all my hobbies. However, there just never seems to be enough time in the day to do it all, but I try!

I have been teaching community education beginner and intermediate jewelry making classes since my retirement. Many of my students have been bitten so hard by the jewelry making bug that they say I have turned them into monsters-they just can't get enough. Making jewelry, seeing something take shape from small bits and pieces, is so rewarding that I hope it brings out the "monster" in you, too!