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  1. #1
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    Feb 2007
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    Tips for making simple steel rule dies

    Hi. I have a leather goods shop and I'm interested in doing some simple steel rule dies in house. I've purchased some 2pt. steel rule from Helmhold and a small hand held router and a cutting bit. I'm wondering if anyone can direct me to a site or a book where I can read about the step by step process of cutting the dieboard and inserting the steel rule to complete the die.
    Thanks in advance.

  2. #2
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    I have purchased several Steel Rule dies over the last 20+ years. I have some material to make up an emergency die if such a case came along. So far it hasn't, but I don't think it would be to hard to cobble a usable die together with fair results on foams etc.

    Most small shops tend to lay out the pattern on a chunk of marine grade 12ply. Then use a drill bit in strategic points along a run every 3-5" and at radius tangent points. The holes allow a blade to pass through to start cutting a slot with an over arm jig saw, leaving periodic tabs where the Steel rule material is notched out to jump over the tab. The tabs in the plywood keep the areas inboard and outboard of the rule sections in one piece. For better tolerance than eyeball cut slots in the ply, some shops will have the slots in the ply laser cut. I have been able to get accuracies of better than .010 with the laser cut ply compared to their standard .030 by hand.

    The Steel Rule material is pre-bent to the shape of the slot cut in the ply with various die rule bending methods. Then pressed into the slot so it bottoms out at the back side of the ply. Hence the notches in the steel rule will be as deep as the ply. The rule height above the ply at least the thickness of the material being die cut. A backer of aluminum plate gives the Steel Rule some support during a cut. Some dense sponge foam can be placed inboard and outboard of the Steel Rule to act as a stripper of the material being cut.

    I have never seen a detailed book showing the process, nor a web site that has much direction.

    You could find a Die maker in your area and ask for a basic lesson for simple forms. Most of the dies I have needed were in the $30-$100 range. Not too bad and hardly worth my time to learn how as often as I really need one.

    DC

  3. #3
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    May 2005
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    You also need the machine to notch the back side of the rule to slip into the area that is not cut through where you drilled the holes to start your jigsaw. For $30-$45 I always buy the die. I've been in the leather business 30 years and it is not worth my time or investment in the tools for $30.

  4. #4
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    Thanks for the overview. Yes, I would certainly agree that it would be better to buy the die instead of trying to do it in house. I was just thinking that it might be useful to do some simple dies for prototype leather goods, so I can fine tune before I go into production.

    That said, I suppose the real question is whether it is feasible to do such simple dies on a limited budget. More specifically:

    1) Is it possible to bend rule by hand using, for example, wooden forms of some sort:

    2) Is there a make-shift way to notch the rule without having to buy a professional notcher?

    3) How is the rule bonded in the areas where the terminations meet (such as on a circle)?

    I certainly believe that this type of work is best left to the pros, and if I could find a die shop willing to do work with a 2-3 day turnaround and at prices in the $30-$45 price range, I wouldn't even bother with this experiment (most of the estimates I've gotten have been much higher -- perhaps I've been talking to the wrong shops or my patterns are too complex).

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by leathersmith View Post
    Thanks for the overview. Yes, I would certainly agree that it would be better to buy the die instead of trying to do it in house. I was just thinking that it might be useful to do some simple dies for prototype leather goods, so I can fine tune before I go into production.

    That said, I suppose the real question is whether it is feasible to do such simple dies on a limited budget. More specifically:
    This is not a bad plan. It is just the overall investment to get started can get pretty high for less than 10 dies per year. This could turn into another nitch market service for your area though!

    Quote Originally Posted by leathersmith View Post
    1) Is it possible to bend rule by hand using, for example, wooden forms of some sort:
    Mandrel bending on a diacro type of radius hand bender would be a ton more accurate with the rule spring back requiring some over bend. You could simulate this with dowel pins and various disks, but the idea is to get smooth radius's without kinks.

    Quote Originally Posted by leathersmith View Post
    2) Is there a make-shift way to notch the rule without having to buy a professional notcher?
    Look into a uni-punch and possibly place that on an arbor press etc.

    Quote Originally Posted by leathersmith View Post
    3) How is the rule bonded in the areas where the terminations meet (such as on a circle)?
    The ends are ground to a tight fit, butting up together when pressed into the saw cut slot. The saw cut curf needs to be slightly smaller than the rule stock thickness so it grips tight as a press fit into the ply.

    Quote Originally Posted by leathersmith View Post
    I certainly believe that this type of work is best left to the pros, and if I could find a die shop willing to do work with a 2-3 day turnaround and at prices in the $30-$45 price range, I wouldn't even bother with this experiment (most of the estimates I've gotten have been much higher -- perhaps I've been talking to the wrong shops or my patterns are too complex).
    The west coast seems to have several of these shops in each metro area. Competition helps keep the prices reasonable, but sometimes getting quotes from multiple shops will give you an idea who is willing to compete. I don't mind calling the high bidder back and let them know how far off they were if it goes beyond a 50% difference in price.

    DC

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by leathersmith View Post
    1) Is it possible to bend rule by hand using, for example, wooden forms of some sort:

    2) Is there a make-shift way to notch the rule without having to buy a professional notcher?

    3) How is the rule bonded in the areas where the terminations meet (such as on a circle)?
    (1) Yes you can bend the sharper bends in a vice, the gentler bends in your hands or an improvised 3 roll bender.
    (2) Use a Dremel tool with an abrasive disk.
    (3) Usually the rule is butted together. You can also braze it if you are quick and do not heat up the cutting edge too much.
    Considering the poor results versus time expended, it is much better to purchase steel rule dies. Do it yourself work on steel rule dies is best left for repairs. If your die quotes are too high, perhaps you have too many punches in your dies. If so-perhaps you can be creative and do without.

  7. #7
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    By the way, any references on reliable die shops (ideally in Greater New York) would very much be welcome! I'd love to put aside this experiment in favor of working with a reliable die maker. Thanks.

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by leathersmith View Post
    By the way, any references on reliable die shops (ideally in Greater New York) would very much be welcome! I'd love to put aside this experiment in favor of working with a reliable die maker. Thanks.
    Try:
    NATIONAL STEEL RULE DIE CO.
    17 WEST 17TH ST
    NY, NY 10011
    TEL 212-243-2680/FAX 212-675-5120
    I used them a few years ago and they were both good and fast.

  9. #9
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    A last "By the way" and then I'll shut up. There is another way to make steel rule clicker dies. It involves an interior wood pattern cut in the desired shape and a rule that is attached by 10-24 screws with square nuts anchoring every 1 inch or so of the perimeter. This type of die is used for short run types of projects (~1 month of steady cutting). This method is slightly more expensive than the conventional steel rule die, but not too bad. It is much better suited to clicker type cutting in that you cannot pull the rule out of the form by getting it stuck. You do have to periodically check the screws around the perimeter for loosening and replace any broken/bent ones.

  10. #10
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    Thanks for the feedback so far.

    I'm not exactly sure I understood the process of bolting rule to wood patterns in the previous post and how this would simplify making home made dies.

    Here is my informal assessment of doing home made dies with limited equipment based on what I've read:

    - cutting the die-board is fairly routine if you have a steady hand and a good jigsaw.

    - cutting the rule is also be fairly easy if you have a sheet metal cutter.

    - inserting the rule into the board is also not particularly difficult if you have a decent mallet

    - bending the rule, on the other hand, is the really critical step which requires very expensive machinery. 2pt. rule is fairly rigid steel. It is one thing to bend a long piece, but an entirely different story if you have to manually bend precise arcs and curves on a complex pattern.

    I'm wondering, therefore, if there is any reasonable way to successfully bend patterns in steel rule without spending thousands of dollars on Helmold benders. Should I perhaps limit my home made dies to simple squares and the like? Would I be able to figure out a way to bend rule with a home made jig or am I just wasting my time?

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by leathersmith View Post
    Thanks for the feedback so far.

    I'm not exactly sure I understood the process of bolting rule to wood patterns in the previous post and how this would simplify making home made dies.
    .................................................. .........
    I'm wondering, therefore, if there is any reasonable way to successfully bend patterns in steel rule without spending thousands of dollars on Helmold benders. Should I perhaps limit my home made dies to simple squares and the like? Would I be able to figure out a way to bend rule with a home made jig or am I just wasting my time?
    Leathersmith: Think about the process of die cutting leather. It is expensive stuff and it has flawed areas in it that you need to cut around. Most leather is cut with clicker dies. If you want to get maximum yield from a hide, you have to be able to see exactly how to place the die. If the rule is mounted in a large die board, that can be hard to do. By bolting the rule to the wood form, you get a die that is exactly the same size as the piece being cut.
    As I mentioned earlier, most clickers dies cut on a hard plastic surface and the base itself is glued to a heavy wood die board or other wood base. By cutting on plastic, it isn't such a big deal if the press goes a little too deep. Do that on steel and your die is ruined. Also, if the die is pressed too far into the plastic and gets stuck, a few light hammer taps will free it. The wood base under the plastic is necessary because the cutting surface will eventually be filled with small cuts and this will cause the plastic cutting pad to bow away from the supporting surface if it is not firmly adhered to it.
    The screw attached rule die was described so you could order the right type of die for practical cutting should you wish to go with the company I mentioned previously. You can also make this type die, but you would probably want to punch the holes in the rule rather than drill them. The screws are anchored by placing holes for the square nuts along the perimeter of the die, set back about 3/4 inch from the edge. Drill a clearance hole through the edge of the die board into the hole for the nut, put your screw through the rule into the clearance hole and drop the square nut into the anchor hole. Engage the nut with the screw, tighten, and go on to the next. Tedious but it can be done. The rule is normally brazed on this type of die instead of butted. The pros are set to do all this accurately and quickly. It isn't so much skill as having the right equipment.
    As far as making your own dies. start simple and gain experience-best way to go. Let the pros do the hard stuff until you gain experience. Look at what the pros are doing and try to copy it. At least, that's my 2 cents.

  12. #12
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    Oct 2006
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    Quote Originally Posted by leathersmith View Post
    By the way, any references on reliable die shops (ideally in Greater New York) would very much be welcome! I'd love to put aside this experiment in favor of working with a reliable die maker. Thanks.
    Hi we do steel rule blanking dies for leather. Just tell us the leather thickness, size, what leather (cow, buffalo,goat...) and the number of dies you need to make. We can make the dies for you and send. Just send the dxf format designs to us by logging on to www.custompartsonline.com or just send direct mail to [email protected]
    Chan Luci, Techie
    www.custompartsonline.com

  13. #13
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    Another question...when purchasing a steel rule die from a die maker, what is the step that adds the most to the final cost, the cutting of the board or the bending of the rule? Would it be feasible, for example, to cut board myself and simply request that a die shop bend the more complex patterns for me? Just a thought.

  14. #14
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    Apr 2005
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    hello, are you still interested in making steel rule dies with a router and you said you bought the 2pt rule and a 2pt kerf bit? I may have an easy way for you to do this. If you could email me a drawing or pic of a complex die and one of a simpler die you wish to make using a router so i can see if my idea will work for you. my email is [email protected]. Thanks Brady

  15. #15
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    Re: Tips for making simple steel rule dies

    Hi,
    Has anyone had any success making steel rule die?
    There is no one in my area who makes them and no one to ask an advice from.
    How do you bend a perfect circle? Everytime i try to bend the rule ( i have manual bender) the edge comes out wavy.
    THe gasket from rubber does not have perfect circumference.

    Thank you.

  16. #16
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    Re: Tips for making simple steel rule dies

    Quote Originally Posted by MAVEN05 View Post
    Hi,
    Has anyone had any success making steel rule die?
    There is no one in my area who makes them and no one to ask an advice from.
    How do you bend a perfect circle? Everytime i try to bend the rule ( i have manual bender) the edge comes out wavy.
    THe gasket from rubber does not have perfect circumference..
    MAVEN,
    The best way to bend a perfect circle is with a 3 roll bender. You could probably improvise one from a moveable ball bearing mounted on a plate and two fixed rollers. Keep in mind that a 3 roll bender leaves a bit of unbent material at the ends, so be prepared to trim that off. It is best if the two fixed rollers are driven synchronously, but this can be by hand crank. Bend gradually to achieve the desired radius. If you can also machine the die support base, that will assist in maintaining a constant radius in service.
    Ultimately, the time spent on making the die is dependent on how much production you expect to be doing with it. If there is a chance for re-orders, put in the required effort.

  17. #17
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    Re: Tips for making simple steel rule dies

    Hi Machinbird.

    Thank you for the idea. I was thinking about it earlier and it should be helpful but first I need to build one to suit my needs.
    I'm also looking for a way to bend the steel rule using a manual bender. I guess I need to use proper male/female dies to bend the steel rule.
    Maybe someone bends steel rule die in a circle using a manual bender?

    Max K.

  18. #18
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    Re: Tips for making simple steel rule dies

    Quote Originally Posted by MAVEN05 View Post
    Hi Machinbird.

    Thank you for the idea. I was thinking about it earlier and it should be helpful but first I need to build one to suit my needs.
    I'm also looking for a way to bend the steel rule using a manual bender. I guess I need to use proper male/female dies to bend the steel rule.
    Maybe someone bends steel rule die in a circle using a manual bender?

    Max K.
    Maven
    The problem is the springback that you will encounter is unpredictable. The 3 roll bender is more versatile and thus better.

  19. #19
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    Re: Tips for making simple steel rule dies

    Hey Maven, I have made hundreds of circles by hand.. I use an automated bender when I build dies but have made countless dies by hand over the years, I have no problem helping you with any of your questions. I have about 100 male and female dies I can show you pictures and tips on hand bending. The automated bending machines have really changed the die making world for the better great machines.. Here is my email [email protected] I am a third fermentation die maker at Milwaukee Steel Rule Dies. Check out our page on Instagram @milwaukeesteelruledies we have videos of the die making process on there

  20. #20
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    Post Re: Tips for making simple steel rule dies

    Quote Originally Posted by leathersmith View Post
    Hi. I have a leather goods shop and I'm interested in doing some simple steel rule dies in house. I've purchased some 2pt. steel rule from Helmhold and a small hand held router and a cutting bit. I'm wondering if anyone can direct me to a site or a book where I can read about the step by step process of cutting the dieboard and inserting the steel rule to complete the die.
    Thanks in advance.
    OK is very easy if you have the right equipment, dies for leather.
    If you are still interested I could explain step by step how to manufacture them.

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