wizard of tragacanth Posted August 16 Report Posted August 16 (edited) I need only a few, simple clicker dies. I would like to get dies made and sold by US companies. Where should I look for good quality dies at reasonable prices? Also looking for a 4-ton clicker press. Any suggestions? Nick Edited August 16 by wizard of tragacanth Add'l info Quote Nick
Members dikman Posted August 16 Members Report Posted August 16 Did you see the add at the top for Ohio Clicker Dies? Quote Machines wot I have - Singer 51W59; Singer 331K4; Seiko STH-8BLD; Pfaff 335; CB4500. Chinese shoe patcher; Singer 201K (old hand crank)
Members DieselTech Posted August 17 Members Report Posted August 17 Weaver makes nice clicker dies as well. Reasonable priced too. Quote
wizard of tragacanth Posted August 17 Author Report Posted August 17 16 hours ago, dikman said: Did you see the add at the top for Ohio Clicker Dies? Thanks dikman. Yes, I did see the ad... and now I am seeing one for Tippmann. However, I am looking for personal experiences and recommendations. Ads do not give me that. Ads do not tell me if the products are reasonably priced or if they provide good customer service. Just looking for more info. Quote Nick
Moderator bruce johnson Posted August 17 Moderator Report Posted August 17 Personal experience - Texas Custom Dies - some years ago - quite fast, reasonable cost compared to other die makers that were on the leather worker radar screen at the time, and they followed up to make sure I was happy. Those were the only new dies I have ordered that I can think of. Realistically there are several more die makers that have been in business for a while, but now marketing more to leatherworkers. Milwaukee Steel Rule Dies, Ohio Clicker Dies, and others. I'd think between these and the ones mentioned, you'll find somebody you are happy with. I get a fair bit of used dies and really can't say anyone consistently makes a "bad die". Some that come from the industrial or production companies are pretty beat up but that is understandable. 4 ton press - Weaver Mighty Wonder is good. I have had a few through here. I have used a 20 ton shop press with plates, bench top 12 ton shop press with plates (Weaver) with the hydraulic jack replaced with an air over hydraulic jack, Weaver 4 ton Mighty Wonder, Weaver 8 ton Mighty Wonder that was parked here for a few days, Lucris M3, Import 2 post table top, WUTA 4 post table top. That is what I can think of off the top of my head. Least expensive and realistically good for non-production work is a shop press with plates. Right now we have the benchtop shop press for heavy leather and larger dies and a WUTA 4 post for smaller work. My wife really likes them both and between them she can do everything she needs. Quote Bruce Johnson Malachi 4:2 "the windshield's bigger than the mirror, somewhere west of Laramie" - Dave Stamey Vintage Refurbished And Selected New Leather Tools For Sale - www.brucejohnsonleather.com
Members Cumberland Highpower Posted August 17 Members Report Posted August 17 (edited) Most of mine are from International in GA. I always got the best prices and good quality from them. I've heard some say they had problems with International. For myself, I've never had any issue. BUT I'm always very meticulous with the patterns and made notes for the die maker, that could be why? They'd be good for low cost simpler dies. Weaver makes excellent dies. If you're looking for the best workmanship on a steel rule die, they're where you want to go. Downside with Weaver is that they're x2 the price of everyone else. Did I say x2? Maybe I meant x3! Edited August 17 by Cumberland Highpower Quote
wizard of tragacanth Posted August 18 Author Report Posted August 18 (edited) Hey Bruce, I'm so glad that you mentioned Texas Custom Dies. I bought a bag punch from them maybe 15 years ago, give or take but I couldn't remember their name. I was (am) very happy with their product and service. I will likely go with them this time... no reason not to. Nick Edited August 18 by wizard of tragacanth Quote Nick
wizard of tragacanth Posted August 18 Author Report Posted August 18 Hey Cumberland, Thanks for the recommendation, and the heads-up. Yeah, I figured that Weaver had a premium price on their champagne product but I'm on a beer budget! Nick Quote Nick
Members Cumberland Highpower Posted August 18 Members Report Posted August 18 (edited) I don't know what you're planning to make or what leathers you'll be working with.... If it' something like soft leathers or thin stock for wallets, etc. Maybe a small die, a 4 ton is probably ok. I had a 10 ton and a 15 ton clicker and found them coming up short on cutting force. I have 25 metric ton machines nowadays and they'll cut most anything. Even now though, I come up a little short of power if it's a really large die with lots of cutting surface and the stock is hard/stiff. Edited August 18 by Cumberland Highpower Quote
wizard of tragacanth Posted August 19 Author Report Posted August 19 (edited) 18 hours ago, Cumberland Highpower said: I don't know what you're planning to make or what leathers you'll be working with.... If it' something like soft leathers or thin stock for wallets, etc. Maybe a small die, a 4 ton is probably ok. I had a 10 ton and a 15 ton clicker and found them coming up short on cutting force. I have 25 metric ton machines nowadays and they'll cut most anything. Even now though, I come up a little short of power if it's a really large die with lots of cutting surface and the stock is hard/stiff. Well, you bring up a very good point! I would be making small to medium holsters with veg-tan ranging from 6/8 to 8/10. Again, thanks for your insight CH. Nick Edited August 19 by wizard of tragacanth Quote Nick
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