How to Make a Sinking (Dishing) Stump

by Eric Slyter

There are no known pictorial or inventory references to support the usage of sinking stumps in period armouring. Using the surface of an anvil for interior forming (and what are presumably steel stakes in raising operations) appears to be the most correct method, particularly since we know that the metal was often worked hot. Even in cold work, they are conspicuously absent in illustrations that are otherwise highly detailed. Only one example I've seen (the painting Venus at the Forge of Vulcan by Jan Brueghel and H. Van Balen, Flemish school, c.1620) shows anything nearly like it, and it appears to be a huge log with many steel stakes protruding from it, with nothing to indicate that there are depressions on it for sinking operations. Nonetheless, wooden sinking forms have become a common part of the modern armourer's shop. They are easy and inexpensive to obtain, and there is little question that they work well for a wide variety of uses.


Basic Principles

A depression is drilled, carved, hammered or burnt into the end of a hardwood log which is set on end. The metal is then hammered into the depression.

Many armourers have a variety of sizes of depression for a variety of uses, combining differing widths and depths to accomplish the shapes they desire. Hardwoods (such as maple, oak, cherry, walnut, alder, ash) are preferable, since they are very tough and take the punishment well, and do not exude sap onto your work. I have several sizes of sinking depressions, and even a few thinner logs whose rounded edges I use to work steel over. One of the advantages of such forms is that they don't leave undesired marks on the steel.


Safety

There are a number of ways to get the depression into the stump, and there are dangers involved. Power tools can be very dangerous, as can fire. Even just using a hammer and chisel can be hazardous if you are not careful. At the very least you will need safety glasses and gloves (preferably padded, such as welding gloves). Please take all necessary precautions during all stages of this process. Usage of the following techniques is at your own risk (see also: An Armourer's Basic Safety Guidelines)


Procedures

First, do your best to determine what diameter and depth you need your depression to be, based on what you intend to dish into it. Draw a rough circle the size you want with a black marker, strategically located on your stump according to the stump's overall size and if you are planning on putting more than one depression in that side. You can place another depression on the opposite end of the stump if you like.

Hammer and Chisel
You can simply use a wood chisel and a hammer to start softening and digging wood out of the soon-to-be depression. This technique alone can be enough to create a shallow or moderately deep dish. The rough depression is then beaten with a heavy steel hammer to even it out.

Drill, Hammer, and Chisel
Another technique is to drill holes throughout the area that will be removed, with deeper holes towards the center. Space them as close together as possible, and use as big a bit as you can. The area can then be attacked with the chisel and hammer, or even the claw end of a claw hammer. The process can be repeated to make deep dishes. Again, at the end of the process, the rough depression is then beaten with a heavy steel hammer to even it out.

Drill, Hammer, Chisel, and Fire
A third way to do it is to combine the previous process with fire. This should be done outdoors in a non-flammable area, such as in your driveway, on a concrete surface, etc. After drilling and chiseling, you can add barbecue lighter fluid to the depression and set it on fire. While it burns, you can aggressively work it over with the claw hammer to get very deep dishes quickly. The heavy hammer you use to smooth it out can also be used in this step. When you are ready to put the fire out, carefully turn it over and place the fiery end face-down- if you use water to put it out, you will have a harder time lighting it back up if need be, though you should keep a bucket of water handy anyway.

Angle Grinders, Chainsaws, etc.
A final technique is to use varying attachments to power tools, such as an angle grinder or chainsaw, to carve the depression out. This can yield a fast, smooth dish with little time, but requires more tools.

The depression, even if rough to begin with, will smooth out in time and with use as you hammer steel against and into it.


Examples


Chris Harveaux's
sinking stump
Ben Schenkman's
sinking stump
Eric Slyter's
sinking stumps



Matt "Vinni" Vidrine's
sinking stump
D.J. Pratt's
sinking stump
R. McWilliams'
sinking stump



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