David Huang is a Master vessel maker and he teaches regulare classes at Urban Metal in Arizona. He also makes and sells stakes and has an amazing website with process pictures and information and an awesome
Video showing him raising a vessel.
Check it out!
His website is Davidhuang.org
Another source of stakes are the tinsmith tools made by Pexto, Niagara, and others. These are mostly for larger scale work but can be found on eBay and in industrial auctions. The universal holders can be used with make-it-yourself stakes. I used Delrin as a material for that.
I learned basic raising and repousse from Douglas Pryor. He does teach courses and seminars.
Thanks so much. I’m hoping to visit Urban Metal!
I thought I’d add that one of my favorite stakes is a trailer hitch ball. Most trailer hitch balls have a flat spot on top. Somehow I found one that doesn’t have flat spot, so it’s a perfect ball shape. Once you start looking for steel shapes to use a stakes, you’ll find them all over. Especially if you have an angle grinder and belt sander to alter them a bit.
My old home town had a metal scrap yard that artists, like myself used to spend hours searching around for good stuff.
I think someone mentioned this, but when I learned raising a zillion years ago some folks made stakes out of hardwood that are much gentler than steel. The same is true for delrin.
While different shapes stakes are helpful for metal forming, it’s really hard to raise without the traditional t-stake.
You mentioned taking a class with Cindy Eid. Did she have any good advice for you? Cindy is a fantastic source of info.
It sounds like you’re on your way to success! Keep us posted as things unfold.
Jeff
