Rylando Report post Posted November 14, 2019 So I've got my pattern and I want to make a clicker die for it! Where do you all buy your Steel rule in the USA? and what type? I was thinking Universal 60? Also what steel rule benders do you use? Or do you just buy them? To me it seems fairly simple to make with a bender and the steel rule. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
biglew Report post Posted November 14, 2019 steel rule is typically inset into a wood base that has had the pattern cut in... depending on complexity you can bend it and screw the sides into a wooden shape such as a rectangle. to bend the shape you use a bender... small newer types are out there cheap whereas a commercial one will cost you 1000 at a shop auction or on eBay Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ferg Report post Posted November 14, 2019 I have an old rejuvenated bender for steel rule. Don't get the idea that this is a piece of cake. High learning curve and expensive. I bought my bender at a good price, it weighs about 50 pounds. Dies are expensive and you need quite a few to make much of anything. Specialty router bits for cutting the grooves. A die cutter to cut accurately. Steel rule resists bending, Several thicknesses and widths available. I enjoy doing the dies, no intention of doing it for anyone but myself. Ferg Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JLSleather Report post Posted November 14, 2019 I have dies made FOR me. I just use 'em. I also don't build my own cars - just drive 'em. Can't be in all the places all the time. And that's a consideration too -- if I got the stuff to make my own dies, WHERE would I PUT it?@! $2k for stuff to make some dies, $35k for addition on the building. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ferg Report post Posted November 14, 2019 I have the building, I have maybe $1000 in tooling and equipment, probably have four or five thousand dollars worth of dies for various and sundry items. I can make whatever I want at any time. I have a CNC two head router and write my own programs. Seems that is called convenience. Ferg Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rylando Report post Posted November 14, 2019 1 minute ago, Ferg said: I have the building, I have maybe $1000 in tooling and equipment, probably have four or five thousand dollars worth of dies for various and sundry items. I can make whatever I want at any time. I have a CNC two head router and write my own programs. Seems that is called convenience. Ferg I don't think I was looking at getting that crazy into it, but it looked like a manual steel rule bender and a cutout of board would work. Bend the steel rule to the shape around the plywood or board and secure it to the board? That is just the impression I got from looking at this stuff, I tend to try to make things the hard way myself before I realize its easier to just buy them, haha. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ferg Report post Posted November 14, 2019 I know, I have been called more than crazy for having all the different use equipment I have gathered over my 70 years of questionable adult life. I am not counting the 16 years before I supposedly became an adult. LOL Try anything you wish. Some times that works, some times it doesn't. Ferg Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
