Greetings,
Could someone tell me how to make a die for stamping out beltplates? What material best to use? What tools do you need to make one?
Thanks very much in advance,
Best regards,
Jef
Ave Jef,
That really depends on what exactly you want to stamp- the design/ figure- you need to be a little more specific. If you're thinking of a whole 'scene' like the Wolf and Twins, a block of brass would work, if you're interested in geometric/line/curve patterns, you can make the stamps from steel, etc.
As for tools, a Dremel-type rotary tool is your best friend- carbide burrs (straight and tapered), and cutting wheels/ grinding stones are the primary things I've used as well as needle files.
Vale
Matt
So Matt, If I understand correctly from this post and your other (nice looking plates, BTW) you make the positive image in brass, and the negative image in lead, presumably the same size, layer the brass plate in between in some kind of holder/frame and wham the fire out of it?
Seems reasonable. Would a hydraulic jack work? You could get more pressure, but not the impact. Just asking. :oops: I don't know nuthin. Seems like you could get more control, too.
What do you use as a block of brass Mat? Some object in brass that you adapt(a door handle perhaps?) or just a block of brass?
Valete
Ave David,
Actually, that's another Matt who posted the stamped plates you're referring to- and they are indeed nice! I can't speak for him about the exact method he uses, however what you suggest is the way I'd do it. Either that or I wouldn't bother with making a negative and just stamp directly on a block of lead. And yes, a press would be rather more efficient and easier than hammering.
You can use whatever you have that is of appropriate dimensions Jef- again as I said, it really depends on exactly what you want to stamp. A large scene like those Matt Amt has done would require a rather larger piece of metal (brass or as Sean suggests, aluminum), whereas small things like geometric shapes that can be stamped one at a time by hand only need something small. It may also depend on whether you plan to use a press or a hammer- you'd be better off with something longer that you can hold securely if you're planning to hammer, but a press only needs a relatively thin stamp. I actually use shaped concrete nails for punches.
The backing material can vary depending on what you're stamping too- simple rings can be done on a block of wood or leather, as can simple shapes- anything with details that are small and close together would likely require something a little more rigid like a lead block to come out cleanly.
So, again, if you can give us some specifics about what you have in mind, I'm sure we can be rather more helpful.
Vale
Matt
Thanks for the advice guys. Maybe it's best to start simple. I'll try making some plates with concentric rings. How should I best do this? Use two different sizes of a single-ringdie or one die with two rings on it? What best to use as a die for this job?
Thanks again for the great info!
Kindest regards,
Jef
Marcus,
In answer to your original post, as Hibernicus and Matt have stated, aluminium dies work well, but aluminium was unknown to the ancients (except as bauxite). If you wanted an ancient example, one was found on the Sheepen site near Colchester, which dated to the time of the Iceni revolt of AD60-61. This stamp was made of leaded gunmetal and had a stubby shank protruding from the back which was probably intended to be hit with a hammer or mallet. It is probable that it was originally accompanied by a female former. If you wanted to make one accurately try carving it out of wax and then getting a bronze foundry to do you a casting. If you were lucky you might be able to get the lost wax method. Otherwise sand casting would probably achieve a reasonable result. There are a number of illustrations of the Sheepen stamp out there but if you have access to a copy of Bishop and Coulston there is a good picture to be found there.
Crispvs
Quote:Thanks for the advice guys. Maybe it's best to start simple. I'll try making some plates with concentric rings. How should I best do this? Use two different sizes of a single-ringdie or one die with two rings on it? What best to use as a die for this job?
Ave Jeff
For simple rings, probably the easiest thing to use as a stamp is simply steel tube- just round over the edges with a small file. If you're planning to use a hammer and not a press, it'd probably be easiest to use two separate pieces rather than trying to make them into a single stamp- the latter would require more force precisely applied to get a clean impression. The only problem with doing the rings separately is that you'd have to be careful in the placement of the second one, but really that ought not to be too hard. Since it's a very simple shape, you could even make a female die by hammering the tube into a block of wood- hardwood works best. And do remember to anneal the brass before you try to stamp it.
Vale
Matt
Ok, thanks Mat! Another question: what do you use to cut thin sheet brass like belt plates, scabbard fittings,...? I've tried some methods but I think maybe some kind of scissors would be best. It would have to be a fine one cause I tried a heavy one and that didn't work.
Best regards,
Jef
Hi Jef,
'Aviation snips'- shears specifically for cutting sheet metal- are the easiest tool to use.
Matt
For ring decorated plates I managed to use the various sizes of my socket set, hammering on the back into a lead block gave a good impression - dont go so deep as to get the flats though
I tried to stamp some beltplates out with sockets, I botched it. All my freinds said the plates looked like they had nipples on them :oops:
Well if you're trying to make raised rings, it's necessary to anneal the brass well and have a good, solid backing material- otherwise you will end up with the center of the ring being raised too. One way I've found that works well is to take a scrap of hardwood like oak, and hammer the socket or steel tube into it a few times to create a ring indentation- this becomes your negative die. Of course you have to mark position lines well so you can repeatedly put the ring in the right place on the metal. A scrap of heavy leather would work too, but you can't really hammer in the same place too many times- wood is much better. You can also flatten the middle of the plate out again by hammering a smaller diameter socket or piece of pipe/ rod on the front face of the plate.
Matt
thats sort of what i did, the rings turned out okay, not great but okay. then i thought those dome-ish centers were nice looking so i took a ballbearing to the middle of the plates and ended up with a few of the "nipple plates". another problem i had was cutting the plates out, every time one or more of the sides was at a slanted angle :oops: :oops: :oops: