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 to enamel. Recently, I ordered the Wood Dapping Block with 7 Depressions, DAP-155.00, and the smaller well depressions have seen a lot of use in the month since it arrived.

You may not have a use for anything beyond a basic wood dapping cube, but it is useful to see the differences between the three as well as see the size options they offer.

The largest well depressions in the cube block, with six dapping well depressions ranging in size from 1-7/16" to 1-7/8" in diameter, is much larger than the largest well in the Wood Dapping Block with 7 Depressions. The well depressions in the 7 Depressions block range in size 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.

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.

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.

If I had foreseen how much my wood dapping tools would be used, my first purchase choice would have been the 11 Piece Wood Dapping Set, DAP-160.00, since it comes with daps that fit the well depressions. Since I own the 8 Piece Nylon Punch Set, DAP-748.00, JUMBO WOOD DAPPING PUNCHES, DAP-142.00, and a Domed Face Nylon Hammer-HAM-394.00, as well as other "soft" punches and nylon forming hammers, I did not need to purchase the block with the added punches. If dapping a piece in a metal block where the design on the metal is facing up, wood and nylon punches and hammers are invaluable for saving the design.

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 my wood dapping cubes, I feel like I am playing with a Rubik's Cube, constantly turning the cube to find a depression that fits the project. I like the flat blocks because it is so much easier to visually compare sizes when they are all laid out in front of you.

Yes, you only need a few tools to make beautiful jewelry. As your skills evolve, so may your need for different tools. If a new tool will make it easier and faster to accomplish tasks, or will help you learn a new skill, it is worth investing in.

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

Materials

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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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Category: Tools
Technique(s): Tools

Reviews

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!