Dar Shelton
sheltech@webtv.net

  The problem is with the hinge area where it connects to the design.
At that spot the metal is prevented by the hinge from forming completely. Because in these cut/form dies the final rim-forming is
completed by the rim, which happens to be the cutting edge of the die.
Where the hinge connects... - no cutting edge , and no final forming.
Not much of a glaring defect on larger , funkier ornamental parts, but for someone wanting to make matching bead halves , the resulting flared out flange is prohibitively difficult, if not impossible to work out.

  The solution is to eliminate the basic RT/pancake hinge-and-design-all-one-piece aspect of the die. That's done by sawing the design all the way out and attaching it to a separate plate that functions as the hinge. Now the full circumference of the  design (cutting edge and forming component) is free to cut and form uniformly without interruption.

Similar in concept to the donut hole cutters some of you are familiar with. This is basically making just the hole cutting part , and putting a forming component on it. The diameter of the form can be
less than that of the design by just a hair more than the thickness of the material being cut. If done fairly precisely, this can result in a relatively seamless transition from dome to edge; you get parts that are all dome, and no flat border- just like a bead half.

This die is in Lee's hands now, so some of you will be able to see it up close and personal.

Dar

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