Metal stamping

Jewelry Discussion
1

I’d like to mass produce shapes in silver or gold from sheets. I’m
wondering if someone knows a vendor or resource for having metal
"stamps" made for cutting out the shapes. -

2 
  I'd like to mass produce shapes in silver or gold from sheets. 
I'm wondering if someone knows a vendor or resource for having metal
"stamps" made for cutting out the shapes.

There’s a company in Albuquerque called Sheltech that makes steel
blanking dies for virtually any shape. They will also do the punching
for you, if desired. The contact info is � Dave & Dennice Shelton at
(505) 256-7073.

3

You can find out a little about cutting dies used in presses at the
BonnyDoon site http://www.bonnydoonengineering.com/

Any tool & die shop can make you dies & matches punch but, they are
typically made to fit some form of stamp or press machine. Because
they are high precision & made to last, the price may be more than you
want. That may make the ones described at Bonny Doon more practicle.
Good luck, Regis

4

Hi,

I great place to have blanking dies made is, Sheltech in Albuqurque.
I’m sorry I don’t have any address info. The company is run by Dar
Sheldon whose an Orchid contributor, maybe he’ll see your msg &
reply.

Another source is your own shop. You can make your own. They’re
sometimes called ‘pancake dies’. They’re made by cutting the pattern
you want in piece of tool steel. The cutting is done with a jewelers
saw. There’s a chapter on making blanking dies in Susan Kingsley’s
book ‘Hydraulic Die forming for Jewlers & Metalsmiths’.

You don’t need a hydraulic press to use pancake dies, A sturdy vise
will ork as well.

Dave

5

I want to produce an item that would probably be most economical to
have stamped onto sheet.Not being a Metalsmith i am slightly
ignorant of where to look for the appropriate contractor to make
dies & do the production.I am looking in the San Francisco area. oh,
yes-Hi! this is my first posting here so i might as well add this- I
am currrently working on getting my mom (Carrie Adell)'s remaining
work onto a web page. Many of you in the jewelry community have
expressed interest in aquiring one before they’re all gone-
hopefully i will have them online by the end of February- i’ll have
time to work on it while you are all at Tucson & Philly & Baltimore!
I’ll post the url once it is up. thanx.

6

Jo, Try Sheltech in Albuquerque. 505-256-7073. www.sheltech.net

Joel Schwalb
@Joel_Schwalb
www.schwalbstudio.com

7

Following up on recent threads relating to stamping on metal by
striking a series of individual steel stamps with a hammer:

When striking the stamp with hammer held in the right hand I find it
helpful to strike letters in reverse order. By striking the last
letter first, then progressing to the left to complete lettering the
view is unobstructed and spacing and alignment is easily maintained.

Roland Beaver