I posted a few days ago looking for some small silver ovals for
an earring project (musical notes). I appreciate the responses
but none quite filled the bill. (no rolling press, or stamping
press). I did visit a jewelry supply store in Portland Maine on
saturday (JS Ritter-great people answered all my questions,
entertained the kids by showing them the gems for sale, they
really went out of thier way to help). There I saw a circle
punch. Inspiration! I went home and within two hours had a decent
working punch! I used some approx. 5/32" mild steel ( a 1" flat
washer, 75 cents) cut in half two #10 flat head bolts to hold the
pieces together and a piece of copper flashing for a spacer
between the steel. I cut the hole in the steel by drilling
4-3/16" holes and filing the proper oval. I fashioned a punch
from a 1/2" bolt ground to fit the hole. Works pretty well though
i don’t think the soft steel will last for many cuts. I plan on
creating a new one with some high carbon steel and then harden
it. This has inspired me to look at other tools to create. I plan
on building a small 8" shear for cutting silver and perhaps a
small brake. thanks again for the advice dave
Wow! I’m impressed, that sounds like a wonderful tool.
Sandi
I buy most of my tools from J. S. Ritter, being from NH myself
and have always been pleased with their service. They will go
out of their way to get you whatever you need. They also have
periodic workshops for metalsmiths.
Sharon
I buy most of my tools from J. S. Ritter, being from NH myself
and have always been pleased with their service. They will go out
of their way to get you whatever you need. They also have
periodic workshops for metalsmiths.
Sharon
Congratulations on making your own punch set! Well done! (made
my own first punch set in 1975). You might think about getting an
RT Blanking set, or something like it. There’s been a bit of
discussion wither here or on artmetal, I forget which,about
different sources. I believe Bonneydoone Engineering (Lee
Marshall) manufactures one. Using it, you could blank out the
entire musical note, or just an oval. If you really wanted to get
into it, perhaps you could find a used kick press. The punch set
used in kick presses are simple. The punch is much like the one
you made, cut from 1/2" stock or something like it, and the die
is cut from steel plate (usually at least 1/4" thick). There’s
quite a bit of around if you’re interested…
Jeffrey
I’m very interested in the simple that might be
around about dies, presses, etc. I have the RT press, but can’t
seem to make my own dies. I’d like to be able to cut out small,
delicate shapes from the centers of sheet metal, without the
hinge required in the RT system. Also, I have a disc cutter, and
would like to cut out a circle within a circle, but can’t seem to
line it up exactly in the center. help! Ruth
Being able to punch out a pattern in the middle of another shape
(punch a hole in your doughnut) is possible by using a blanking
die (also called the RT). It is a fairly involved process and I
am writing an article with Dave Shelton of Sheltech fame that
goes through the process. You wind up with a center part that has
no tabs on it in addition to the outer part. I am giving a
workshop at the S.N.A.G. conference in April where we will be
making dies of this sort. It will be during the Advanced Die
Forming session occuring after the conference. For more info,
please check out the Learn section of my website. I have a full
course description there. Lee Marshall Bonny Doon Engineering
http://www.bonnydoonengineering.com