Brian Ross
rossoon@imag.net

>So, how does the hockey puck material react to forming your brooches ?. How much use do you get out of a chunk, pressing into the same area?. Does it tear at all?. Does it take a lot of pressure/time to use it?.

I have been using the same two or three pads for over a year, on various patterns. The pad is about 2" x 3", 1/4  thick. The only cuts are where I pressed on the metal edge through inattention. One of the pads has taken a set: somewhat thinner than original and bowed out on the thin sides. I suppose there are three or four hundred pressing  on that one, all at 18T - 20T.
 
>ps also, where did you get the ....  hard stuff ??.
>msc only offers up to 75d. Lee didn't have any 'd' either.

I got mine from the same shop that cast my "sideways" urethane rings. It was freebee, I think left over from a run of truck mud flaps.
I have gotten useful info from www.urethanetooling.com. I have not yet ordered from them, but they have some interesting shapes; many grades.

By the way:I am looking for a supplier of hard urethane (or similar stiff elastic) in the form of thick wall tubing 1/4" - 3/8" OD. I want to see if they would work instead of eccentric "buttons" for clamping.