Hi all,
I need some advice. I’ve been making tapered bezels with a round bezel block using both heavy-wall tubing and cones pierced out of sheet. I reduce the tubing (or cone) using a chasing hammer until the bezel fits the correct size, then I use a rawhide mallet with the punch to refine the shape. I try to limit myself to one blow to the punch, but sometimes a second whack is needed to finish the job. About half the time, the bezel gets stuck in the block after forming. I’ve tried several types of lubricants–BurLife, stick and liquid; machine oil, even Vaseline–none of which works consistently.
Does anyone have a better suggestion? Or is this a case of user error? Please tell me what I’m doing wrong because I really like the look of tapered bezels.
My experience is to use tiny taps to shape. Think about how you use a dapping block - start with a hole much too big and work down. Gentle easing will make your life better. Judy H
Renee, polishing the tooling is a good first step, I have seen toolmakers using diamond paste to polish stamping dies to a mirror finish to make auto parts to prevent sticking. But there is a secret lubricant used to test stamping dies when tolerances are not quite correct. Black garbage bags make a solid lubricant often used for these processes. Cut a small piece of black garbage bag and interpose it between the cavity and the part and see if it works ?? Good luck and let me know.
I’m going to try the teflon tape idea. Thanks for the suggestion! I’ve gotten bezels stuck in the bezel block, but I’ve always been able to get them out without much trouble. Maybe I’m lucky.