In Need Of A Die Cutting Press

[mrdabeetle]

I usually do all cutting by hand, but I am having a couple of dies made for a specific shape with stitching punches as well. I need the cutting surface to be at least 16 x 16". I like the Clicker 1500 from Tippmann, but the cutting area is not quite right for this. That is, unless it can still be used for a die that size. I don't know much about these kind of machines, so input from persons who have experience using/purchasing a die cutter would be great.

[RMB Custom Leather]

I usually do all cutting by hand, but I am having a couple of dies made for a specific shape with stitching punches as well. I need the cutting surface to be at least 16 x 16". I like the Clicker 1500 from Tippmann, but the cutting area is not quite right for this. That is, unless it can still be used for a die that size. I don't know much about these kind of machines, so input from persons who have experience using/purchasing a die cutter would be great.

It really depends on the size of the die you are cutting. I have the large tippmann and have had trouble with dies cutting that are close to or larger than the size of the cutting area like picture frames and a rifle sling die. You can feed the die into the machine and make a couple of cuts if it becomes hard to cut but be careful not to bend your die. I would recommend a swing arm press I now wish I had one put you can't beat the tippmann for the size and because it runs on air.

Edited August 7, 2011 by RMB Custom Leather

[Art]

Beetle,

The Tippmanns are ok, They have pros and cons.

Pros:

Cheap (relatively)

Can be disassembled into relatively lightweight parts for moving

Simple, parts except bladder can be found at hardware store (not castings though)

Same voltage as your air compressor

Because air is compressible, not much in the way of adjustments are required

Cons:

Fixed top and bottom platens, no swing arm

Small Table

Need Air (and a fairly good amount of it; they used to make a recovery valve for that)

Noisy

From a LW posting a few years ago:

The Tippmann 700 is also a little small size wise for doing holsters, you can click a larger item in two or more repositionings, but eventually you screw up a die that way. Now years ago, Tippmann made the 2500 clicker which would click darned near anything, and like everything Tippmann, it was overbuilt and heavy as a CAT D4. If you owned one of those, you found it was easier to take it apart and move the pieces than move the whole thing. I have seen guys do the same with the 1500, it only takes about a half hour to take it apart into manageable pieces and put it back together.

For my druthers (and what I purchased) was the 10 ton clicker from Cobra. It is completely adequate for clicking anything I have to do. It operates much much faster than a Tippmann, but costs a bit more and is way heavier. I left it on the custom steel pallet provided by Steve which makes it easily movable with a pallet jack. Don't need big air, it is hydraulic (oil is available at Tractor Supply for around $15 a gallon). It came with oil in it and ready to run and run it has. It made short work out of making 200 2.75" medallions for the Boy Scouts from our troop who went to the World Jamboree in Sweden. Can't say I ever would have cut them out or banged them out with a punch and my trusty Barry King 96 ouncer. I don't even know if I HAVE a 2.75" punch, which surely would have cost me more than the die. If I had bought 2 or 3 dies, it would have went faster still. The Cobra has a three phase motor with a VFD that allows you to use 220-240 single phase. It works great out of the box, put the plug of your choice on and you are good to go.

The clicker allows you to take on jobs you never would and finish them in times you can't imagine.

Caveat: Do not attempt to "gang click" anything with small clearance, that means doing two or more layers of leather at once into an area where you can't get at least a finger in there, the clicker will do fine, but if you are using a stiffer veg tan, you might not get the leather out of the die without destroying the leather. Ask me how I know this.

Art

I usually do all cutting by hand, but I am having a couple of dies made for a specific shape with stitching punches as well. I need the cutting surface to be at least 16 x 16". I like the Clicker 1500 from Tippmann, but the cutting area is not quite right for this. That is, unless it can still be used for a die that size. I don't know much about these kind of machines, so input from persons who have experience using/purchasing a die cutter would be great.

[klint fluitt]

you want cheap and some what easy if ur a jack of all trades, I took a bearing press welded up som angle iron on both top and bottom and took some 3/8 flat steel and welded it to the top. On the bottom I put 3/16 cheat metal and glued 1/2 poly board on it. It woorks great but it's hand operated.

[King's X]

Take a look at Texas Custom Dies. They sell a manual clicker. This might give you an idea what you are looking for.

[KAYAK45]

Check your local craigslist. A guy here is offering a 20 ton floor press for $50.

Harbor freight model. Switch out the hydraulic jack for an air drive, same place. Add a bigger steel top and bottom plate, local welder===CLICKER for under say...$350.AND you have an extra hand jack!

Just a thought.

Kevin