Pro Tip: If you are having trouble getting cleanly cut discs out of your disc cutter, put a steel block under it and then hammer on the worktop — you’ll be amazed at the difference a rigid backing makes when punching out discs or shapes.
Pro Tip: Reserve one side of your block for planishing (smoothing) tasks only. I use a dot of red nail lacquer on the “do not texture” side of every steel block I own to remind me not to stamp, punch or texture there risk transferring all of those damage marks to the back side of my jewelry metal.
Pro Tip: Two blocks are better than one. If you need to flatten a piece of buckled sheet metal, make a steel block “sandwich” out of two smooth blocks and put the buckled sheet in the middle. Strike the top block with a mallet to flatten the sheet.
Pro Tip: To remove kinks from thick wire, roll it between two steel blocks to make it straight and to work harden the wire — also a useful technique for creating rivets.
Pro Tip: To maintain a steel block or remove rust spots, use a steel bristle brush attachment in the flex shaft or a rotary tool and polish away. Then, use a few drops of light sewing machine oil to protect the newly cleaned steel.
HELEN I. DRIGGS is an experienced metalsmith, lapidary and studio jewelry instructor and has appeared in 6 instructional jewelry technique videos. Her book, The Jewelry Maker’s Field Guide was published in 2013.