Editing Repoussé and chasing (section)

== Tools ==
[[File:The copper chaser.jpg|thumb|A chaser in [[Tunis]] using a lightweight chasing hammer and a liner to chase a pattern into a [[brass]] [[Mortar and pestle|mortar]].]]
The tools needed for these techniques are 
<ref name=oppi2011>Oppi Untracht (2011): ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=kqZ1-HM9MBwC&dq=jeweler%27s+pitch&pg=PT508 Jewelry Concepts & Technology]''. Doubleday; 864 pages. {{isbn|9780307784117}}</ref>
* A container for the pitch, such as a "pitch tray" for larger plates, or a heavy [[Sphere|hemispherical]] [[cast iron]] "pitch bowl" for smaller ones.  The bowl can be placed over a sand bag or leather ring, and tilted to whatever angle is most convenient.
* A [[heat gun]] or [[blow torch]] to soften the pitch in order to fix the plate, or to release it.
* A set of "[[Punch (tool)|punches]]", that is, chisels with smooth tips that are used to push the metal:
**A "liner" has a flattened tip with a slightly curved blunt edge.  It is used to chase narrow grooves in the metal, or to repoussé narrow ridges from the back side; both for outlining the work, and to refine edges in the final object. 
**A "planisher" has a smooth, flat tip meant for pushing out large, flat areas of metal. 
**A "doming" or "dotting" tool has a round or oval tip of small to moderate diameter, and can be used to chase dimples or grooves, or repoussé bumps and ridges, of various widths.
**A "matting" tool has a pattern cut into the tip, and is used (mainly in chasing) to create textured areas.
**A "hollow-faced" punch has a raised contour (circular, or with some other shape) with a hollowed-out middle, and is used to stamp that contour, usually on the front face.
* A lightweight "chasing hammer", to drive the punches.
* An [[oxyacetylene]] torch, [[blowtorch]], or a [[forge]] for annealing or hot-working.

Other tools are usually handy, such as [[tweezer]]s or [[tongs]] to hold the hot plates.

The punches are usually made of steel, especially [[tool steel]]—a hard alloy that can keep its shape even after years of use—and are [[forge]]d and [[tempering (metallurgy)|tempered]] at the tip.  They usually have a beveled rear end, to better handle the hammer blows. They can be purchased and used as such, modified by the user to suit the needs of a specific work, or made by the user from bar stock.<ref name=Bowie>{{cite book|last=Bowie|first=Hamish|title=Jewelry Making|year=1977|publisher=Henry Regnery Company|location=Chicago|isbn=0-8092-8084-1|pages=36}}</ref>  To make or reform the punches, one needs a [[saw]] or other cutting device, as well as a [[grinding (abrasive cutting)|grinder]] and abrasives to shape and polish the tip.