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Texture Hammers – Buying vs. Making

Question

Should I Buy or Make my own Texture Hammers?

Answer

It’s really rather simple to make your own texturing hammer. Go to garage sales and pick up old hammers for a buck. Use a separating disc to cut grooves, other tools, like sanding drums (or bands) and ruby crystal points to carve patterns (good dremel practice too – don’t forget to wear a good, tight fitting mask), file grooves (with old files), smash hammers on concrete, whatever and create textures on the flat part of the hammer face. Violá, texturing hammers. You can hammer things into metal too like screening, steel wool (just get all the steel bits off before jumping in the pickle), wire mesh, etc. Experiment with annealed copper of different gauges. Also, see how different the patterns are if they are backed by steel (stiff) or a bunch of folded up newspaper (flexible). Use an old hammer so you don’t wreck any shiny, pretty ones.

For other textures: Use the side of a hammer to make a series of dashes in the metal. You can also use the side of the hammer to make cross-hatching, like when shading drawings. Use the ball peen end to make a series of dents or dots. Those dapping punches also make great patterns. Cross Peen hammers are great for making linear patterns and cross-hatching too.

Fretz Cross Peen Hammer at Rio Grande.
You can also use letter and number stamps to create textures. If you really like creating textures, save up for a rolling mill. On the dremel training, just start using it. You’ll figure it out. Remember: eye protection, mask, no long hair hanging down, no dangling jewelry or clothing (including big sleeves) – anything that can get wrapped around the spinning dremel is a no-no. Enjoy the great adventure. Take care, Nancy