Subject: Re: Hammer Dies

From: [email-masked] (George Dixon)
Date: Wed, 24 Jan 1996 13:27:56 -0500

I keep a set of flat dies on one power hammer to drive tools and a set of
half-and-half (slight crown on one half and flat on the other half) on
another hammer for direct forging of stock.  The half and half approach is
the way to go for versatility on a single hammer.  You need flat surfaces
for driving punches, fullers, hacks etc but the slight crown will move
stock fast when hit hard and do a good job of smoothing with a lighter
touch.  A note, the crown of a die should be eliptical in cross section
rather than round.  This will leave less pronounced marks and allow you tp
draw and smooth with the same face far more easily than with a round
section.