Ask the Experts Bead Caps Q&A

I want to make my own bead caps in copper and sterling silver sheet metal using the disc cutters and dapping blocks. What gauge metal do I need?

- Joyce

You can work with a range of sheet gauges in either metal. The disc cutter can cut from 28-gauge to 16-gauge sheet. Review this video to see how to use it. The dapping block and punches will dome the sheet to meet your needs, with the thinner gauges (higher number) making attractive caps.

After cutting, but before doming the disc, drill or punch the hole and file it smooth. You can also add texture or stamp designs onto the flat disc before doming. Select doming depths in the block that suit the bead diameters you are capping.

- Sandra Lupo, Metalsmith, Jewelry Artist and Instructor