The Tray

Initially, the aluminium sheet was cut in the size of 150mm x 200mm using snips and guillotine with 13mm offset. Then a set of two wooden templates was made using different tools in workshop for guidance through the making process and to ensure same outcomes of two identical trays. 

The aluminium sheet was sandwiched between the two templates which was then clamped on the table to obtain even height of the edges when folded. It is then hammered with metal hammer, but it’s important not to hammer all the way to the corner so there is enough space for a gradual curve to be formed.

As I began folding the corners, often if it is not evenly hammered, imbalance in stretching occurred and due to too much pressure, the wooden template began to chip off which then resulted in the ripples forming. This became a problem in further folding of the corners because it was causing more crease that needed to be flattened. Therefore, the corner with ripples had to be flattened using nylon mallet on leather sandbag. And then the steps of folding and stretching was repeated for smooth corners.

Although the edges have been folded and stretched, it is hammered again after folding the corners with a flat head hammer for flat and straight edges.