[TheForge] bending stainless silverware

[Andrew Vida]

On 5/11/2012 10:56 PM, Marc3rd at marc3rd.com wrote:
> Hi group.
> I have a question.
> I want to bend or form some stainless (and a few sterling) forks and spoons
> using a rubber mallet and a very tiny anvil ( like 5 lb Hey gotta start
> somewhere)

NOt sure I'd use a rubber mallet.  Rawhide would be better for the 
stainless.  Being harder at the surface it puts more energy into the 
work.  You will have more effect with each blow and greater control.  A 
wooden mallet will also work as well, but rawhide will take the beating 
without splitting and chipping.  Any jeweler's supply such as Bourget 
Bros. should have them.  A good alternative is the nylon mallet, also 
available at jewelry supplies.

As for sterling, goat horn mallet or nylon is the way to go as they will 
not mar or crush the metal... at least if you don't hit them with 
excessive force.
>
> I am finding some of the pieces to be very stiff and resistant to my whims.

If you're bending silverware, annealing is not going to avail you much. 
  Stainless is generally a very tough material.  Even at heat it is 
stubborn under the hammer.  Get the stiffer mallet and work it cold, 
being prepared to put a little elbow grease into it.
>
> How much heat can I use on them to anneal them without destroying the
> pasivation (stainless properties) or discolor or scale them?

Heat sufficient to anneal (some stainless alloys do not harden under any 
circumstance - the ferritic alloys as I recall) will produce a gray 
scale that is pretty obnoxious to remove, so you don't want to do that 
if you can avoid it.  The steel will remain unhelpful even if you do 
bring it to red heat, so you will be wasting your time.

Do as I write: get nylon mallet, preferably a weighted one (there are 
brass mallets you can get with interchangeable nylon faces, BTW), man up 
real good, and bend that metal COLD the way real men do it.

You're welcome.

:)
>
> Hoping all is well with u and urs!

Didn't get shot this week, so I'm good.