Die recommendations for #50 Little Giant

S

shane justice

Joined
May 12, 2003
Messages
1,606
Hello,

I have flat dies top and bottom that I got from Sid when I bought my hammer.

I have rounded the edges just slightly on both dies.

Can anybody recommend a better set up for blade work?

Or are there dies that I need to have if and when I ever start to work with damascus/pattern welding?

Also I have wonderd about this...

Are there parts that are handy to have around in case of break downs? What is likely to go first...or most often?

Dang that SID is a WIZARD!

Shane
 
Shane, you have the best dies for blade work and danascus.

I put a 5 deg. radius across the front and back of the dies. Leaving a 1" flat down the middle. This creates a very slight drawing die and makes forging bevels much easier. Also draws a bit quicker.

Also best to have a matched set of flat dies, instead of the larger bottom.
Look at the dies on my 100.Not sure if Sid makes a set like this for the 50?
 
Hey thanks Don,

I see the slight 5 degree radius on your dies...really subtle but I can see how useful that is in each of your forging steps.

How were you able to put the radius on your dies?

I think the dies on my 50 are the same size top and bottom. I 'll take a closer look at them...It's been wrapped up good and tight since we moved....been awhile since I have run it.

Shane
 
Shane, I use my surface grinder but would be easy to rough it in with and angle grinder and finish up on the belt.

You need to unwrap that hammer and get to work :)
 
Don,

Surface grinder, huh. I seen one of those up at josh Smith's place at the Big Sky Hammer in. He got one that brings a big belt grinder right down on the work. It was neat. At least that's how I think it works.

Is that what you used?

I was trying to figure how I could unbolt my Burr King and then sort of hold it just right...while my dies are snugged up in my big bench vise!

Prolly need to work out a bit before I try it tho!

:D

Shane
 
I just sent you an email but I'll add this here;
I got the idea from Tom Clark, he did all the dies for the air hammers he was selling.
He ground them free hand on a belt grinder. It's really not that critical. Just draw some lines and grind to them, not really taking off that much metal.
 
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