Two important questions

Jewelry Discussion
1

  1. I really am considering purchasing an RT stamping system and
    need to hear from ANYONE who owns one or can guide me on it’s
    purchase. Is it possible to prepare the dyes so an internal cut
    can be made? I had heard about a web site on stamping systems but
    at the time, didn’t have the money to purchase a system and now I
    do. Please help…

  2. I am into the mass production of bangle latched bracelets for
    charms (the new rage in Illinois) . Anyway I have my husband
    helping me and one of his “jobs” is to melt the ends of 12 G silver
    wire to “ball up” the end. He then quenches in hot pickle. His
    questions is why when he puts the wire in the pickle the quenching
    hiss is delayed and not immediate? Anyone?

2

Joy, Regarding the RT stamping system:

I found it very hard to use the sawing part of the system, and
next to impossible to cut a decent die. I returned that part, but
cut the screw press, which will work just fine, if a decent die is
used, with perfect edges. There is someone who will cut them for
you, for a reasonable price. I believe his name is David Shelton,
in New Mexico, and if I can find his address, I will pass it along
to you. there are directions to make a die with an internal cut
out on Lee Marshall’s web page, under Bonny Doone… It should be
easy to find, and there may be a link in the Orchid site. In
fact, Lee has a contraption to hold the sawframe in perfect
alignment, which I tried, and found it much easier to use than the
one in the RT System. In fact, it would make all sawing easier.
He sells it, and it would also be available on his web site. I’ve
also noticed thast the hiss is delayed, and haven’t a clue why.
Please describe this bracelet you are making. It hasn’t reached
the West Coast yet, although I don’t do much shopping, so I
wouldn’t know for sure.

E-mail me, if you have any further questions about TR or die
cutting.

Ruth from sunny LA (today at noon)

3

Joy,

I don’t use a stamping system myself but when I was at the SNAG
conference I looked at the one shown by Bonny Doon ( the folks with
the great hydraulic press). Their system seemed very good and
might be superior to the RT system. Their website is
www.bonnydoonengineering.com

or chat with Lee Marshal at lmarshal@scruznet.com

he is a very helpful guy.

Best of luck - Deb

4 
 His questions is why when he puts the wire in the pickle the
quenching hiss is delayed and not immediate?  Anyone?

The hiss is delayed because at high temperatures, there is a thin
film of steam formed at the surface of the object which actually
insulates the piece and slows cooling. Agitating the piece will
break down this film faster and the “hiss delay” will be shorter.

Lee

5

-Sorry, Surface tension of the water, not the hot metal.

Tim

6

I can answer #2

The surface tension of the hot piece of metal causes a little “air
sack” around it. Tell him to swirl it around a little when he dips
it in.

Tim Goodwin

7 
 I am into the mass production of bangle latched bracelets for
charms (the new rage in Illinois) .  Anyway I have my husband
helping me and one of his "jobs" is to melt the ends of 12 G
silver wire to "ball up" the end.  He then quenches in hot
pickle.  His questions is why when he puts the wire in the pickle
the quenching hiss is delayed and not immediate?  Anyone?

The hotter the piece, the longer the “delay”. The metal is boiling
the pickle that it touches. This creates a splatter and pickle is
scattered everywhere. I quinch in water and then put the piece in
hot pickle. Much safer IMHO.

Think “HONK” if you’re a telepath

Bobert
Carmel,CA

8 
 There is someone who will cut them for you, for a reasonable
price.  I believe his name is David Shelton, in New Mexico,

Yes, David Shelton makes custom dies. He can be reached at:

Sheltech
4207 Lead SE
Albuquerque, NM 87108
(505) 256-7073

That is from the back of Susan Kingsley’s book. She speaks highly
of his work. And I understand the work is affordable. He makes
the dies with tool steel and tempers them. -Elaine Luther

9 
    1) I really am considering purchasing an RT stamping system
and need to hear from ANYONE who owns one or can guide me on it's
purchase.  Is it possible to prepare the dyes so an internal cut
can be made?

I have the saw portion of the RT system and it works quite well.
I got it on closeout sale and paid about half what RGA sells it
for. For the other half of the system I have a 20 ton hydraulic
press (but worked for 5 years on a 6 ton hydraulic press from
Harbour Freight for $70) like the Bonnie Doon System. Yes, there
is a way to do internal cuts and RGA sells a very good video on the
system which takes you through all the steps. If you want more
info, you can e-mail me off-list.

Donna in WY where its finally spring.