[Jewelry making - Article 00535] - Re: [Orchid] RT Blanking system

[Mlou Brubaker]

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    The RT blanking system is effective for cutting out hundreds of
    items, but be aware that you will most likely want to do some
    finishing on the cut edges of the blanked pieces. I never have made
    a perfect blanking die, with no unintended little wiggles to the
    line. The steel is just very much more difficult to cut than are gold
    and silver. I clean up the edges of the blanked piece or part with a
    1" sanding disc and a 1"rubber wheel. The die itself cannot be
    altered in any way. Do not make your parts thinner across in any area
    than your metal stock is thick. And, of course, your stock must be as
    thick or thicker than the gauge that you wish to cut! 

    If you are patient at sawing, go ahead and get the system, especially
    if you can pick up one of these used ones! I used it for a series of
    2.5" or 3" wide animal brooches, 24 gauge sterling, slightly chased
    and planished. At this scale, cleaning up the edges was easy. Another
    useful application was a die of a pointed teardrop shape, about an
    inch long, to hang from earrings in groups of 5 or more, as fringe.
    Since the edge was a simple outside curve, it was very easy to sand.
    One less successful idea was a small star post earring. Sawing was
    too inaccurate for that scale, and the piece was hard to hold while
    sanding, and the hard geometry of the star pattern demanded
    perfection that I did not meet. I also made something, I can't recall
    what exactly, that had a narrow stem section which twisted and ruined
    the die after just a few uses. It was too narrow, compared to the
    steel's thickness. I recently made a die for a fold- over leaf-spring
    chain clasp which, though it does have wiggles in the edge, is useful
    and good looking after clean-up. 

    Buy a gross of the very best quality saw blades to cut dies. Figure
    on breaking many; that is part of the process. Saw only in the same
    direction, from right side to left side of your design line. Have a
    blast when you punch out your first run of multiple pieces! It is a
    kick! Really, if you can get an RT system for half price or so, snap
    it up! 

M'lou Brubaker
Minnesota, USA
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