Using Pancake Dies (Shearing Dies) with PotterUSA hydraulic press

How to use pancake dies (shearing dies) from Potter USA This video shows the use of the 20 ton hydraulic jack while using pancake dies to cut out shapes for jewelry. Soon these hydraulic presses and dies will be available for sale through Otto Frei, and at the moment are available through Potterusa.com . The dies shear the metal so you have a clean cut every time.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• hydraulic press
• dies
• PotterUSA
• shearing
• jewelry
• metal
• silver
• copper
• Otto Frei

[TheBarrettrussell]

Kevin. Your shop makes me drool I must say. I am a custom bicycle frame builder; not far off from jewelry making. I am wanting to try my hand at punching some copper plates for badging purposes on my frames. Thickness i would be after is somewhere in the ballpark of 1/16th in plate. I presume a pancake die wouldn't cut it. What would be my option for stamping these?

[rivettlathe]

@TheBarrettrussell A pancake die would have no trouble cutting that in copper.

[JSmith8388]

If you need information this it the guy to talk with, he was most helpful and I ordered from him today. He took the time to call on a Saturday his son's Birthday and was not rushed or in a hurry. He gave me very helpful information and know's his Hydraulic Business for sure. He stands behind what he makes who does that these day's.....Jim Smith

[rivettlathe]

@JSmith8388

Thanks Jim. I hope everything is going well and you like your press.

Kevin

[LongIslandEddie]

At approx.12-15 pieces per hour, you'll never get rich and never break even for your "up-front" equipment investment. What market are you seeking? Jewelery?, Sheet metal?, Product support? Do-it-yourselfers? Have you channeled a marketing direction? You are competing with Harbor Freight, Grizzly, Buffalo Forge and a host of importers offering Chinese shit for rock-bottom prices.

Dude, you need to tighten up your game rather than re-invent the jacking press.

I can help you, find me, I'm

Ed Martin

[rivettlathe]

@LongIslandEddie

Hi Ed. thanks for the advice. I'm aware of all the others, but their quality is severly lacking, that is why I make mine. As for the dies, they work great on 16 to 22 gauge, that's what they are designed for. I've sold over 1,000 of them all over the world with no complaints. I appreciate your input.

Kevin

[DMarksmanLima21]

Just out of curiosity, Have you ever looked at "Corbins Bullet Presses" at Corbinmfg. The most interesting is how he makes ans diamond laps the inner surface of the bullet swagging dies. I just thought you might like to take a look. BTW thanks for making such a good product. I'll be buying a press from you for blacksmithing.

[LongIslandEddie]

Whether cut by laser or EDM, a pancake die would not have the proper die clearance for cutting through light gauge material efficiently. Even the best of lasers would still have micro grooved edges which would be telegraphed to the part. I guess it has an application to someone, somewhere but here in America where we buy everything from Walmart, a smarter man would be designing software applications for those newfangled i-phones, video games or some other salable product. Brass? I don't know..

[chipmaker2]

I didn't know what a pancake die was. I've used the solid hindge for forming/forging die but it never occured to me to use it for blanking.

Have a good new year. Thanks for sharing.

Chuck