Hand Press Die Cutter?

[LNLeather]

This might help

Plate Embossing And Die Cutting

[NewYorkerInSydney]

Hi good people,

Does anyone know the largest die size I would be able to use with a 12 ton press using 4-6 oz leather? I couldnt find the answer on the previous link a poster provided. Thanks for your help all!

Nyis

Edited October 10, 2012 by NewYorkerInSydney

[Tree Reaper]

Nyis;

It won't be the force as much as it is the area.

The ten ton press I have has a single ram and even with a large steel plate I expect to be able to cut wallet size material maybe slightly larger.

As the area becomes larger the cutting force will be less towards the outside unless you modify the press.

[Hide in the Sound]

Nyis;

It won't be the force as much as it is the area.

The ten ton press I have has a single ram and even with a large steel plate I expect to be able to cut wallet size material maybe slightly larger.

As the area becomes larger the cutting force will be less towards the outside unless you modify the press.

I recently bought a 12-ton press to use with a steel rule die I had made by some local folks. It's an 11.5" circle with a center hole punch. Anyway, I set up the press and put down a 1.25" thick piece of HDPE (13"x13") on top of which I put my leather (2-3oz), then the die, which has the rubber pieces around the cutting edges. The die has a wooden backing, as well. On top of the die I put a 1/4", 12.5"x12.5" steel plate. I brought the ram down and began pressing. I didn't know how hard I would need to press to cut the leather, so I used some scrap pieces. I quickly discovered that there is an issue. The way a shop press is designed, there is the "bed" onto which you place items you want to press. This bed is only 6" or 7" wide. So when I put the cutting surface down, it hang over on each side of this bed. I thought using a steel plate would distribute the force evenly over the die, but that wasn't the case. The die cut the leather only where it was supported beneath by the bed. So, at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock (as you look at the die) it was cutting, but at 12 and 6 o'clock it wasn't.

The only explanation I can think of is that the hdpe is somehow flexing under the force, and only cutting the areas supported by the shop press bed. My idea now is to get another steel plate and place this between the shop press bed and the HDPE. Do you think this will work? I tried to make do by rotating the whole cutting "sandwich," but somehow things got out of alignment and I ruined a piece of leather. I am also surprised by the amount of force to get through 1.5 mm leather. The die is brand new, so it is quite sharp. So...I'm still in trouble-shooting mode. Any suggestions and wisdom would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Ferg]

You definitely need the steel plate on the bottom and it should be 1/2" thick both top and bottom.

Air assist over hydraulic arbor presses can be had but I have not tried one.

Gives you an idea of how much force the clickers have to cut leather as easily as they do.

ferg

[Hide in the Sound]

You definitely need the steel plate on the bottom and it should be 1/2" thick both top and bottom.

Air assist over hydraulic arbor presses can be had but I have not tried one.

Gives you an idea of how much force the clickers have to cut leather as easily as they do.

ferg

Half inch steel, eh? Why so thick?

[Ferg]

With the force you need to cut the leather just a slight deflection of the steel plate will result in incomplete cut.

ferg

[billymac814]

I use a 12 ton press with 1/2" thick plates on top and bottom. I swapped the jack out for an air powered one. It works ok but its not fast like a regular clicker press but its much faster than cutting. I use steel rule dies primarily so the blade is narrower than most of the very heavy ones so I think it might cut a little easier. I cut about 8oz leather, and most of my dies are about 5x8 or so. Lighter leathers cut very easily with it.

I have less than 300 in the press.

I attached my top plate to the press so I don't have to lay it on top of the die, that way it lifts up when I release the jack.

[Hide in the Sound]

I use a 12 ton press with 1/2" thick plates on top and bottom. I swapped the jack out for an air powered one. It works ok but its not fast like a regular clicker press but its much faster than cutting. I use steel rule dies primarily so the blade is narrower than most of the very heavy ones so I think it might cut a little easier. I cut about 8oz leather, and most of my dies are about 5x8 or so. Lighter leathers cut very easily with it.

I have less than 300 in the press.

I attached my top plate to the press so I don't have to lay it on top of the die, that way it lifts up when I release the jack.

That's good info. I, too, have a steel rule die. I am only cutting 2-3oz, so it should be a lot easier. Does your die have the rubber pieces around the cutting blades? I am thinking about removing mine, as I think it is contributing to the difficulty in pressing out the leather.

[billymac814]

Mine don't have any rubber. They are wood centers with the steel rule around that. It would very easily cut 2-3 oz