Diagram of planishing, showing planishing hammer, workpiece, and planishing stake (hammer not to scale)

Planishing (from the Latin planus, "flat")^[1] is a metalworking technique that involves finely shaping and smoothing sheet metal by hammering it against a shaped surface called a planishing stake.^[2] Metal workers use planishing to finish shaping and smoothing an object after roughly forming it with other techniques, such as sinking and raising. Planishing is a hand driven process used in auto body repair and sheet metal craft work such as medieval armor production.

Common tools used for planishing include neck hammers and ball-pein hammers.^[3] Heavy rawhide or hardwood hammers, usually with a metal core, are often used. It is more difficult to make mistakes with heavy rawhide or wood mallets, but they are less effective for large imperfections. ^[4] A worker, using repeated, relatively soft blows, smooths the metal toward the curvature of the stake. If the metal begins to look too dimpled, the worker is using too much force in individual hammer blows.^[4]

Since planishing hammers are generally in contact with the outside surface of the piece, they have rounded edges and are polished to avoid marring the work.^[5] Pneumatic (air powered) Planishing Hammers strike hundreds of blows per minute.

[edit] Notes

[edit] References

• McCreight, Tim (1991). The Complete Metalsmith. Worcester, Massachusetts: Davis Publications. ISBN 0-87192-240-1. 
• Price, Brian (2000). Techniques of Medieval Armour Reproduction. Boulder, Colorado: Paladin Press. ISBN 1-58160-098-4. 
• Payne, Arthur F. (2003). Art Metalwork with Inexpensive Equipment. Gustav's Library. ISBN 0-97589-142-1. 
• Dettelmach, Gundobad von (January 13, 2009). "Planishing". http://www.armourarchive.org/essays/planishing/.