Can anyone tell me how Vintaj brass pieces were designed? I know
these are stamped designs, but I would like to know how the models
for the stamp were made. Vintaj brass designs can be as tiny as 25mm
square with scrolls and realistic faces 3mm wide. Did someone use
green wax and a dissecting microscope? Did someone “cheat” and draw
a design with Photoshop or Illustrator, reduce the design size, and
send this to a stamp-making company? Were these done by CAD or CAM?
If anyone knows, please write back.
Sally Parker
Stamping dies are usually made from tool steel. there cut on a
reducing 3D pantograph engraving machine like an Alexander, or Deckel
or Taylor hobson.
From a negative resin usually 5 to 7 times larger than the finished
size, IF you want the quality of coin proof standard.
Technique is used in coining, drop stamping and even items like
headlamp bodies.
Usually with a male and female die.
Not the way you think.
The stamping and forging of metal is another subject.
Tho for small and thin items, a hand screw press of 3 ton upwards
will work. You need to know what your doing if you want to do this
kind of work. You can go up to 20,000 ton big hydraulic presses same
principle. not a hand jewellers setup.
Thank you Ted Fraser for explaining Vintaj stamps. Reducing a stamped
drawing does seem a bit like cheating after I have been struggling to
get details into full sized originals. Does someone know if ANY of
these Vintaj designs were made for 19th century originals?