Can Any body tell me what Kirksite is and where can I find it? Thanks
in advance Marco
Kirksite is available from Allcraft. It’s a low temperature melting
metal that can be used to make simple dapping blocks. You melt it
and pour into a heatproof container like sardine can or whatever other
tin. While it is still heated, you can press items like punches,
dapping stakes, etc. into the metal. When it’s cooled off, it’s ready
to use. You can reheat and reshape it. It was advertised at one time
to make the female tool for oval dapping stakes.
I haven’t personally used it so I don’t know how well the edges and
details hold up. I also don’t know the MSDS or what it is
actually made up of. You can call Tevel up at Allcraft in New York at
(800) 645-7124 for the The address is 135 W 29th St.
Suite 402, NY, NY 10001.
Donna Shimazu
Hello Marco;
Back in November I purchased 52 lbs. of Kirksite from Metalliferous in
New York for myself and another silversmith. I paid $4.90 lb. The man
I dealt with was very kind since they normally don’t sell in such
small quantities. I don’t have the mans name I dealt with: however,
on the invoice it shows a sales ID as DLF. Contact Metalliferous
Inc.,34 West 46th. Street, New York, NY 10036, phone (212)944-0909,
fax (212) 944-0644, toll free for orders is 888-944-0909. True
Kirksite is not sold in America anymore. The patent is held by a
company in the UK,who I visited with via e-mail. This variant from
Metalliferous is almost identical and works just like Kirksite. It is
made up of zinc/copper/aluminum/magnesium. It melts at approximately
840 deg.F . When melted and molded,it is extremely hard and can be
filled,drilled,etc just like steel. It makes great dies. I make the
male die out of tool steel,then the female half out of this Kirksite
variant. I use it for making beads,concho buttons,etc. I might mention
that I have a variety of large concho dies that I purchased a number
of years ago from Indian Jewelers Supply in Gallup,New Mexico. They
are all made by Tucker Tool Co. If you ever have a chance to visit
their store in Gallup,NM it’s well worth the trip because they have
an enormous inventory,much of which isn’t in their catalog. They also
will often make something for you if they don’t carry it in design
stamps.You can contact me off line,if I can be of anymore help to you.
Also Kathrine Palochak has been a great help to me in learning to use
Kirksite since she learned from the Navajos. Kathrine? Best
wishes,John Barton,Images By JJ
Kirksite is zinc alloy used often to make press dies: 4% aluminum , 3%
copper .03%$ manganese, balance zinc. It has been used a long time
(before ww2 at least). It melts at 717-745 F It is best cast in plaster
or sand molds. In a conforming type die it is often used as 1/2 the
die set with a lead -antimony die ( wheel weights) poured against it
to make the other half. This works because of the lower melting point
of the lead which doesn’t hurt the zinc side. These dies are often used
in large presses to make aircraft and automotive parts. One source is:
Jesse