[Jewelry making - Article 00651] - Re: [Orchid] RT Blanking system

[James Binnion]

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>         Several people have covered the fact that you can't do that.
>     They've also mentioned farming out the die.  I agree, especially
>     because it sounds like you want to make pieces that have thin,
>     protruding parts. 


    It is not just possible but very doable to cut Blanking Dies using
    only a jewelers saw and an angled bench pin. I used to believe that
    you needed a fancy saw like the RT blanking saw to do it but a
    friend showed me how to do it without the fancy gear. I mount the
    bench pin at one end of a 12" length of 2x4 lumber. The other end is
    clamped in a vise I use a angle finder level to  so that I can set
    the angle of the 2x4 and now I just saw the die out by keeping my
    saw frame vertical.  I do it this way when I need a quick and dirty
    die because it is not as precise a method of making the die they
    don't last as long as a precision cut die. But if all you need is a
    few  parts ( maybe even a couple of dozen parts) a hand cut die
    works just fine.  Also for these quick dies i typically use mild
    steel rathe than tool steel as it is easier to cut and if all you
    are blanking is silver or copper  or other soft metals then mild
    steel is a perfectly adequate die material.  If your needs are for
    production dies then the Bonny Doon saw guide is 100 times better
    than the RT saw frame. I have both and the RT never gets used
    anymore because it is so hard to control. 

Jim


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