Making your own dies

[toxo]

Don't you just love it when a plan comes together. Well done. 

[dikman]

Had a go at making some dies for a fellow shooter and leatherworker. It's not as easy as it looks and there's an element of luck in trying to match the shapes on two sides. Part of the process is figuring out which combination of tools works best to get a desired result - sometimes it's not what you think. I had to make up another tool because nothing I had would let me get the bend I wanted! I tacked the die together with the MIG, and after I'd taken the photos I put a sharpened bevel edge on one, using a worn 120 grit belt (that reduced the risk of grinding too much and also polished the edge). I put it under the Vevor press with some thick scrap and heaved away, very satisfying when it went clunk! It worked!!

The banding works well and is surprisingly tough, although being 1 1/2", compared to the 1" of the steel rule, means it's just a bit harder to work with.

Damn, I'm good!

[kgg]

8 hours ago, dikman said:

Damn, I'm good!

Yes you are. I have been following your progress and it is damn good.

kgg

[Mulesaw]

It's looking really good!

I have been toying with the idea of making a die (just for a key fob), I got a used blade for a band saw that I plan on using. I am going to silver solder the ends together, but the sharpening I haven't quite figured out yet. It might be the easiest to do before bending I guess.

But anyway, thanks for a lot of fine inspiration:-)

Brgds Jonas