Best metals to use

[nenetwork]

I am about to make a die that will be used to cut out small squares about 2mm thick, they are to be used as medals for community work leading upto the 2012 games. I also want to put some letters and some small numbers on the die, so they look better than just a square.

I want to use the dies on Cupronickel, because of the silver finish, but I can not sure what metal/alloy to use for the die.

Would magnesium be a good choice for this, I am looking at either a 1 ton or 2 ton press.

[Geof]

Do you mean you want to punch small squares out of a sheet of Cupronickel?

To do this will require a punch and die made out of tool steel and I think much more than a couple of tonnes.

[jdr]

You could always buy a ironworker die in any square size needed. Might be cheaper than buying the tool steel you would need.

Very inexpensive way to go. Check Ebay.

Radius corners would probably make the die last longer.

Jack

[roninB4]

Small squares? You need to define just how "small" they are. How many do you intend to make? If it's only 100 or less you can get away with using less than hardened tool steel (although some copper alloys are abrasive). You also have to decide just how much burr you can live with. Late in the production run you will notice a larger burr as the cutting edges begin to break down/get dull. You should really target a budget for how much you intend to spend on this die and what material you intend to use in it to have a better idea of what will be required. If it's just a silver finish you're looking for then why not use an easier material and send them out for annodizding? Are the blanks going to be flat/concave/convex? What machines do you have to create the dies with? Do you have a heat treating oven? Do you have a surface grinder? Have you ever built a die before? Do you have a press or are you going to squeeze these out by hand? You really need to have more than a "concept" before you come in here asking for advice. I don't mind offering advice but you need to supply some info if you want a solid answer. How about a quick sketch of what you have in mind as well? We'll wait....

[nenetwork]

Thanks for your replies.

I went with steel and with a little help I finally cracked it.

Thanks once again.