Dense rubber cutting mat.

[toxo]

When I'm using one of my clicker knives under my 1 ton arbor press, I'm usually walking it around the knife on 2.4mm veg tan with a 6mm silicone cutting board underneath and it's not easy on some bits to feel when it's gone through and sometimes I'm halfway through the silicone mat. One time I went all the way through. I know the rubber clicker type mats are really expensive but it's something I might have to consider. Doesn't need to be large. Say 6inch square at least and preferably around 10 inches. Haven't got a clue about thickness.

So what are you guys using and where can I find it please?

[fredk]

Would HDPE or Delrin work for you? Thats what I use under my shape cutters (I'll not raise them to the level of clicker dies,  ) I'm only cutting out, (stamping out), small shapes from up to 1mm suede or pigskin for bases to put on games playing pieces

I get my sheets from this place: https://www.ebay.co.uk/str/gfgplasticsltd

I've never really damaged a sheet yet.  I buy a lot of nylon, delrin or HDPE sheets from them as I use the sheets for all sorts of odd jobs, like sticking wet & dry paper to for a flat sanding surface

[toxo]

4 minutes ago, fredk said:

Would HDPE or Delrin work for you? Thats what I use under my shape cutters (I'll not raise them to the level of clicker dies,  ) I'm only cutting out, (stamping out), small shapes from up to 1mm suede or pigskin for bases to put on games playing pieces

I get my sheets from this place: https://www.ebay.co.uk/str/gfgplasticsltd

I've never really damaged a sheet yet.  I buy a lot of nylon, delrin or HDPE sheets from them as I use the sheets for all sorts of odd jobs, like sticking wet & dry paper to for a flat sanding surface

Don't know Fred. Need someone to tell me. I think HDPE is what they make milk cartons out of. I'm thinking a piece of conveyor belt would be ideal but where to get it from?

[fredk]

38 minutes ago, toxo said:

. I think HDPE is what they make milk cartons out of. 

yes it is and also kitchen cutting boards. That plastics place sells it in sheets from 1mm upwards in thickness. I use 6mm, 10mm, and 16mm thick

[LatigoAmigo]

2 hours ago, toxo said:

I know the rubber clicker type mats are really expensive but it's something I might have to consider. Doesn't need to be large. Say 6inch square at least and preferably around 10 inches. Haven't got a clue about thickness.

This may be out of your reach due to your location, but Campbell-Randall in Texas carries clicker mats in various sizes. I don't have a clicker, but use one of theirs for punching.

http://www.campbell-randall.com/shop/clickers-presses

[Hasbeencowboy]

I use red board but just because I had a piece.  I brought the arm on my arbor press down until my punch just made  contact with the red board.  Then I marked the ram on my press, drilled and tapped the ram and screwed in a 1/4" bolt.  When I pull my handle down it only cuts to the board not into it.  I also made the same sort of set up on my hydraulic press.  You might give it a try if you are so inclined

[toxo]

1 hour ago, LatigoAmigo said:

This may be out of your reach due to your location, but Campbell-Randall in Texas carries clicker mats in various sizes. I don't have a clicker, but use one of theirs for punching.

http://www.campbell-randall.com/shop/clickers-presses

Surprised to see they're made out of polypropylene.

[Danne]

I've heard good things about Hydroma from Roechling. I plan to use a smaller one for round hole punches (Not pricking/stitching irons) https://www.roechling-industrial.com/products/thermoplastics-machined-components/soft-material-cutting-boards#

They have resellers worldwide.

https://www.roechling.com/roechling-group/about-the-group/locations-worldwide

 

Edited October 9, 2020 by Danne

[paloma]

https://www.cuttingmatsxxl.com/?no_lredirect=true

 

it's mine in A1 size

Edited October 9, 2020 by paloma

[toxo]

11 hours ago, Danne said:

I've heard good things about Hydroma from Roechling. I plan to use a smaller one for round hole punches (Not pricking/stitching irons) https://www.roechling-industrial.com/products/thermoplastics-machined-components/soft-material-cutting-boards#

They have resellers worldwide.

https://www.roechling.com/roechling-group/about-the-group/locations-worldwide

 

I gave up after looking for a price.

1 hour ago, paloma said:

https://www.cuttingmatsxxl.com/?no_lredirect=true

 

it's mine in A1 size

This looks like it might work and reasonably priced but will a clicker die cut through it?

[toxo]

13 hours ago, Hasbeencowboy said:

I use red board but just because I had a piece.  I brought the arm on my arbor press down until my punch just made  contact with the red board.  Then I marked the ram on my press, drilled and tapped the ram and screwed in a 1/4" bolt.  When I pull my handle down it only cuts to the board not into it.  I also made the same sort of set up on my hydraulic press.  You might give it a try if you are so inclined

This might have legs. Wouldn't bother with the drilling and tapping. A hole with  thick wire or similar will do the job. Maybe you want yours permanently at that setting.

I found out recently that cutting all the way through when walking a die is not so critical. I turn it over and tap the bits that aren' all the way through with a plastic hammer.

Edited October 9, 2020 by toxo

[paloma]

I don't know, we'd have to test on a sample.I never use it with this type of tool or machine

Edited October 9, 2020 by paloma

[paloma]

On 10/9/2020 at 1:38 PM, toxo said:

I gave up after looking for a price.

This looks like it might work and reasonably priced but will a clicker die cut through it?

a clicker die is it this tool to cut round pieces of leather? if yes, it's mark on the plastic sheet but never pass through it.

 

[Matt S]

I use standard commercial kitchen cutting boards under my hydraulic bearing press (which I use as a clicker press). I buy them online. It's only a little 6 ton machine but it will absolutely bury the knife in the board if you don't pay attention, which not only slows production (have to pull the knife out the board) but also wears the board quickly. When the middle bit of the board wears too much for use I run it through the bandsaw and use the unworn parts either under smaller dies or as handy boards for punching or cutting by hand. I've been known to mill the offcuts into useful little jigs too.