Die stamping setup

Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
I am tired of getting poorly aligned marking on sizers I made. Holding the stamp vertical is a pain in the ass.
I have cogitating on this for quite some time and decided it was time to get it made.
Used a chunk of way too good steel, some ETD 150. Overkill but it is what I had on hand, a nice gift from a good buddy.

Bottom is drilled for a Star sizer so the flange rest flat on the top. Top piece is counterbored for the flange. Top is drilled and countersunk for 10-32 cap screws.

Next I need to cut the top to final dimensions and make the slot for the stamp. I will then make a piece to be held across slot to hold stamp in a square hole to keep it vertical and evenly aligned in relation to the flange.
 

Attachments

  • F08034A8-AA72-4795-9B0D-FE5E53B00148.jpeg
    F08034A8-AA72-4795-9B0D-FE5E53B00148.jpeg
    52.9 KB · Views: 15
  • 7A1F66C4-151B-49C2-85B1-4883F2A3C5BC.jpeg
    7A1F66C4-151B-49C2-85B1-4883F2A3C5BC.jpeg
    72.2 KB · Views: 15
  • 2EF68597-68E5-4128-8E4C-63BEEF273929.jpeg
    2EF68597-68E5-4128-8E4C-63BEEF273929.jpeg
    81.7 KB · Views: 15
  • 4E24F995-81A4-49B0-BAC9-6B15CB5D06A6.jpeg
    4E24F995-81A4-49B0-BAC9-6B15CB5D06A6.jpeg
    49.6 KB · Views: 15
  • Like
Reactions: Ian

Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
How am I cheating?
I am working hard to justify having a mill and lathe. Besides, I had free times and a need to make something. Surely you understand.
 

Ian

Notorious member
I do understand....and don't call me Surely :p

That last double-5 stamp did it for you, eh? Cool project, I was hoping to see you grind a broach and whittle out some square holes with your mill quill.
 

Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
Thought about going the broach route. Maybe next time? That would require some heat treating and I’m not sure I have the setup for that. Yet?
 

Ian

Notorious member
A MAPP gas torch and a soup can full of veggie oil is all you need for small stuff.
 

Pistolero

Well-Known Member
I use a tuna can full of used motor oil, drop red hot 4140 parts into it. Fish them out in
30 sec, they are hard and very nice black. If it is something that needs shock resistance like
a punch. Polish the black off to shiny steel again on the tip area, then very GENTLY wave the
propane torch over the piece to be tempered back until you JUST begin to get purple or blue
colors, just after the yellow. Wave the torch, wait a second or two to see the color, then wave
the torch over it again. Looking for that specific color, no more, to temper but not soften too
much.

Don't over think it. Quench from red hot. Temper if you need reduced brittleness at slight
cost of hardness. Alloys with under .30% carbon won't easily harden, don't bother.

Bill
 
Last edited:

Intheshop

Banned
A buddy of mine has a Gorton pantograph.... got it and a wheelbarrow full of "stuff" for beer money about 10 or so years ago. Heckuva deal.

Not suggesting you use that.....

But am suggesting; do some digging on the web for DIY pantographs that are pretty much,free..... that utilize your mill. It's an area that most guys completely overlook. And this ain't only about writing your name on "stuff". There's a lot to be learned from studying articulation,as it applies to machine technology. Good luck with your project.