The physics are intuitive: big hammer makes bigger dent than little hammer. Now imagine if that hammer was 20 tons? Or 100 tons?! And, instead of the force of one swing or drop, imagine what happens when that force was sustained for a moment, moving any material in its way until it meets resistance. This is the power of the hydraulic press.
Powerful forming presses were once only available to large, industrial operations. They were, quite literally, bigger hammers—their name “drop hammers” proclaims the intuitive physics. With the power of hydraulics, these same forces can now be harnessed with bench top presses, greatly increasing their usefulness to individual craftspeople and small shops. However, this tool and its range of application are left out of the education of most jewelers, horologist, and machinists.
To bridge this gap in education and introduce craftspeople of all disciplines to the uses of this tool, Plumier is offering a new class:
Creative Pressure: Uses of Hydraulic Forming in Craft
Taught by Phil Poirier and Peter Gilroy
June 8-12
This 5-day class will be an in-depth exploration of the POWER of the Hydraulic Press. We will dive deep into all aspects of bending and forming metal, from die making to large vessels. Elevate your metal-forming abilities starting with simple 3-dimensional forms made from acrylic and brass. Delve into coin and medallion making technologies with high-detailed tool steel dies, effortlessly moving metal both thick and thin. You will be amazed at how fast we can turn sheet metal into vessels and tubing.
The class will be taught by Phil Poirier and Peter Gilroy, two knowledgeable and experienced metalsmiths and instructors, with support from the Plumier team. We will cover hydraulic press fundamentals, including safety, setup, and general use, as well as the newest innovations in presswork. We will go over proper use of polyurethane and how to contain it, setup and use of simple forming tools, and also setup and use of complex dies and deep draw dies. Naturally, we will also find opportunities to incorporate complex turning into these techniques. You will learn all about pressure and detail, and how to make your designs come to life, whether you are doing small production runs or just creating one-of-a-kind pieces.
The class will be held at the Plumier workshop in Saltsburg, PA, June 8-12 from 9am to 6pm each day. Tuition is $2,250 for members and $2,400 for nonmembers. This will include materials and lunches. Register today by emailing Jackie at jackie@plumier.org.
Accommodations in Saltsburg for the week are available through Plumier. Rooms range in price from $100-$150 a night for members and $125-$175 a night for nonmembers. Email David at david@plumier.org for more information and instructions on how to make a reservation.
Take advantage of these discounts by becoming a member before you register.
