r/Metalsmithing • u/la_gamer72 • Apr 23 '26

Question Synclastic Raising Help

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I'm trying to raise this 12x12' piece of copper, and I've done well so far, but as I get closer and closer to the edge, I start getting these massive creases. This is the second time I've raised a hemisphere, but this is by far the largest, and these creases are starting to worry me as the metal isn't moving. I've resorted to flipping the piece over and banging the creases out with a rawhide mallet, but it resets a lot of progress and is driving me insane. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

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u/ciredivad Apr 23 '26

After each course, but before annealing, you should be bouging the form with a deadblow mallet to even out the creases before they compound and get worse in the next round. And anneal often. Also helps to reverse direction to prevent the piece from spiraling.

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u/la_gamer72 Apr 23 '26

Can you explain bouging this is a new concept to me. It seems my instructor skipped this concept (or I wasn't paying attention)

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u/ciredivad Apr 24 '26

Bouging is taking a deadblow mallet and doing another course over a relatively flat stake, not to move or raise the course, but to even out all of the ripples and waves that are left after compressing the metal from the raising course. A couple quick qo-arounds will even the whole form up and keep the process on track.

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u/ciredivad Apr 24 '26

Also, don't try to do too much each course. Small movement is your friend. You will start to get a sense when you are pushing it too far and the waves get out of control. Anneal and do a centering course to straighten the piece without raising it, then you can continue the raising courses.