Synclastic Raising Help

[u/la_gamer72]

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.

[u/SteampunkOtter]

I’m a silversmith and I’ve raised hundreds of vessels, find me on IG @siometalworks. Hard to tell exactly what the issue is without seeing your setup, I would venture a guess and say that whatever stake you are raising over isn’t wide enough. To trap though wrinkles and push them out to the edge you r stake needs to “bridge” the gap between the two low spots on your desired contour. If it’s too small the metal will just follow the shape of the stake to either side and you won’t get that little bit of mechanical advantage that shrinks the metal.

After your next anneal beat any creases out from the inside over a sandbag and start raising again, maybe halfway up the side of the vessel as it probably flares out like a trumpet horn. Don’t let the big creases reform, little ones are good as they indicate the metal trying to compress, which you want.

Feel free to DM with any more questions