I'm so glad that I came across this great video Melissa! Especially right now when I'm trying to decide which pancake dies to purchase for my new press! Knowing that I can use a disc cutter in the press has got me thinking that I should get some fancier dies because I can get my round basic shapes with the disc cutter & the press together! Thanks again for all that you do to help your fellow metalsmiths!
Thank you Melissa for your many videos. You have given me the courage to purchase and use a hydraulic press and I eagerly await your videos to see what you are up to next. Brilliant!!!
When i started out I had one of those cheap cutters, I took the two bolts out and ground the heads down in the lathe making them into guide pins, I then put the spacer in the nearest bin and it performed much better than before
So for feedback on Swanstrom, the handle does get in the way, however I was able to still use my old cheap HF, round dies on top of my disc cutter ones, since they are flat and taller than the handle. Pain in the butt to hold on top repetitively, while cutting blanks. I found Rio has a Donny Boon die to stack on top with Swanstrom. It has a magnet on the bottom, which is nice. However it's too tall for our press. So I added a magnet to the shorter die of mine.
The Boeshield is a product of the Boeing Airplane Company. We use it to prevent corrosion on aircraft structures. If you cannot find it, LPS 3 is a good substitute.
Thank you Melissa, I think that maybe the Swantrom will not work with the hydraulic press because of the handle, am I right? I love your demonstrations. Thanks again!
Thanks for the great video, Melissa! I am just starting to cut my own disc and looking to cut mainly 18-14 gauge aluminum. Do you have a recommendation for which hydraulic press I should get and what all I need to purchase to go with it? Thanks so much!!
You might also try a product called Boelube on the cutting edges of any tool that cuts metal...ie drills, punches, etc. Boelube is like a stick or cake of a white waxy substance. Just a dab on a cutter and it'll cut like buttah!
Thank you for this. I just asked my metalsmithing teacher about using a press for disc cutting. The one we had in class was 20 lb. How many pounds is your press? Do you know how low you can go (in pounds) and it still be effective?
khloe38 My presses are all 20 Ton presses. I am assuming that is what you meant with yours. It doesn't take much pressure at all and I am certain even a 6 ton press would be able to easily do this. The one you have will most likely work just fine.
Please Melissa, invest in a hard Arkansas stone for sharpening your punches. There is no guarantee that the silicon carbide paper won't ride up very slightly as you sharpen unless it is glued down with spray adhesive. If this occurs, you will round the edges of the punches and they won't cut cleanly. (glue your abrasive paper to a piece of thick plate glass)
Thank you for the suggestion. I will certainly give that a try. It is crazy what we learn from others sometimes. I hate that I sometimes pass on bad information that has been given to me. Doing the videos has been a great way for me to get new ideas from others. Thanks again!
surprised to see you didn't use burr life (lube) on your cutters or a counter piece of metal on the other side of the cutter- those economy disc cutters can so easily get out of line and then they are a pain to use.
Barbara henry That is a good question. Yes, I do use lube on my cutters. I don't apply it every cut, but it is something that inadvertently got left out of this video.
I'm so glad that I came across this great video Melissa! Especially right now when I'm trying to decide which pancake dies to purchase for my new press! Knowing that I can use a disc cutter in the press has got me thinking that I should get some fancier dies because I can get my round basic shapes with the disc cutter & the press together! Thanks again for all that you do to help your fellow metalsmiths!
I am glad I am able to help Lecia.
Thank you Melissa for your many videos. You have given me the courage to purchase and use a hydraulic press and I eagerly await your videos to see what you are up to next. Brilliant!!!
Thank you Bonny. It is pretty obvious, but I do love my hydraulic presses. I am SOOOOO glad that I have them in the studio. You will love it too.
When i started out I had one of those cheap cutters, I took the two bolts out and ground the heads down in the lathe making them into guide pins, I then put the spacer in the nearest bin and it performed much better than before
+pijnto That is a great idea. I may just try that.
You are so clear and thorough in your explanations. I thank you
Thank you
So for feedback on Swanstrom, the handle does get in the way, however I was able to still use my old cheap HF, round dies on top of my disc cutter ones, since they are flat and taller than the handle. Pain in the butt to hold on top repetitively, while cutting blanks. I found Rio has a Donny Boon die to stack on top with Swanstrom. It has a magnet on the bottom, which is nice. However it's too tall for our press. So I added a magnet to the shorter die of mine.
What is your training? You are very good what you do, I enjoy your explanations and professionalism. Very nice tooling your working with.
Great overview..had one student strike wrong end of Pepe and left burr which leaves rough edge on my one inch disc.
We can always order a replacement punch. :)
The Boeshield is a product of the Boeing Airplane Company. We use it to prevent corrosion on aircraft structures. If you cannot find it, LPS 3 is a good substitute.
Thanks, I will look into that.
Thank you Melissa, I think that maybe the Swantrom will not work with the hydraulic press because of the handle, am I right? I love your demonstrations. Thanks again!
Thanks for the great video, Melissa! I am just starting to cut my own disc and looking to cut mainly 18-14 gauge aluminum. Do you have a recommendation for which hydraulic press I should get and what all I need to purchase to go with it? Thanks so much!!
Like the 600 grit will try..used the oil stone but hard to remain flat and took a long time. The burr edge still remained
We can also order you a new punch if you need. :)
I love the bracelet you are wearing in the video!!! Do you think you could do a video class on it?
Sharon
Thank you. It is actually a project in my book.... that isn't finished yet. But a video class might be a great option.
You might also try a product called Boelube on the cutting edges of any tool that cuts metal...ie drills, punches, etc. Boelube is like a stick or cake of a white waxy substance. Just a dab on a cutter and it'll cut like buttah!
good video. but instead of a Hydrualic Press do you think that an arbor press would work.
Yes. It absolutely would.
Could I use an arbor press with the disc cutter?
Jody Jaques yes. Absolutely.
Thank you for this. I just asked my metalsmithing teacher about using a press for disc cutting. The one we had in class was 20 lb. How many pounds is your press? Do you know how low you can go (in pounds) and it still be effective?
khloe38 My presses are all 20 Ton presses. I am assuming that is what you meant with yours. It doesn't take much pressure at all and I am certain even a 6 ton press would be able to easily do this. The one you have will most likely work just fine.
Please Melissa, invest in a hard Arkansas stone for sharpening your punches. There is no guarantee that the silicon carbide paper won't ride up very slightly as you sharpen unless it is glued down with spray adhesive. If this occurs, you will round the edges of the punches and they won't cut cleanly. (glue your abrasive paper to a piece of thick plate glass)
Thank you for the suggestion. I will certainly give that a try. It is crazy what we learn from others sometimes. I hate that I sometimes pass on bad information that has been given to me. Doing the videos has been a great way for me to get new ideas from others. Thanks again!
surprised to see you didn't use burr life (lube) on your cutters or a counter piece of metal on the other side of the cutter- those economy disc cutters can so easily get out of line and then they are a pain to use.
you don't use lube on a disc cutter?
Barbara henry That is a good question. Yes, I do use lube on my cutters. I don't apply it every cut, but it is something that inadvertently got left out of this video.
Thanks Melissa
But, it's Thursday
Notgiven Notgiven sometimes that happens. And back when it was posted, it was a Tuesday.