Disc cutters & Dapping punches

Hi,

I am a setting up a home studio. I wanted some disc
cutters–contenti has newly designed ones that are suppose to hold
the metal steady. At class, some of my discs have marks from the
metal sliding. I am looking for opinions on which ones to get. Also
hints to prevent the sliding.

Also dapping punches. Any pros or cons on which company to order
from? Are the harbor freight ones worth it?

Thanks in advance for help. Jamie

Note From Ganoksin Staff:
Looking for a disc cutter for your jewelry projects? We recommend:

Hey fellow home studioer:)

Someone posted a little while back about the Harbor Freiht dapping
set and said it was a big disappointment. I guess it depends on what
sizes you need, but I would go down to the HF store if you live
close to one and look at it first. (I don’t trust them much…) I
order tools from RioGrande.com. They have always been really nice and
incredibly helpful. Sometimes they do backorder for months though.
I’ve also been told Stuller out of Louisiana is pretty good too.

Good luck :slight_smile:
Ash

A & A Products Ltd has a good selection of tools, including dapping
punches and their prices are good.

i have harbor freight ones, and PEPE tools, and a few german swiss
made sets as well. the pepe tools are superior to the harbor freight
ones by a slim margin, the h.f. sets are smaller and less exacting,
polished and protected…i’d invest in the pepe tools ones from
contenti or one of the many distributors of pepe’s dapping and
cutting punch sets…its far easier and cheaper than ordering some
pricey custom made sets by a colleague that makes them and sells for
in the 600 dollar range- particularly if you are in a high humidity
area, in which case all the sets wether indian, pakistani, itallian,
german, or us made need the same degree of polishing, storage
considerations, and care in handling…the nicest thing about PEPE and
harbor freight is the wood block holders, otherwise they are all
pretty much hardened steel on a blackened stick, graded by mm’s…

Jamie,

I would suggest Allcraft for Disc cutters and Dapping punches and a
block. Get the fully rounded ones and make sure they make a good fit.

For the disc cutters, make a mark on the beveled end to remind you
which side you hit. Get some wooden dowels to push through the
cutters when you cut through.

Allcraft is an excellent supply company. They are based in NYC. For
any of your needs, Tevel will help you.

Rio Grande is also excellent, as is Gesswein, Contenti or Otto Frei.
Shop the catalogs, make price comparisons. These are offered by all
the major suppliers.

-k
M E T A L W E R X
School for Jewelry and the Metalarts
50 Guinan St.
Waltham, MA 02451
781 891 3854
www.metalwerx.com

Note From Ganoksin Staff:
Looking for a disc cutter for your jewelry projects? We recommend:

I tried but coudn’t find A & A Products Ltd on the internet. Do you
have their url?