Making a Die for a Forge Press

In this video, bladesmith Walter Sorrells shows the making of a rounding tool die for his hydraulic forge press. This video will be useful for anybody who needs to make a die for a press, power hammer, treadle hammer or screw press.
More at:
Learn to make Japanese swords: www.waltersorrellsblades.com
Tactix Armory: www.tactixarmory.com
Walter's Instagram: walterstactix
Tactix Armory Instagram: tactixarmory
Twitter: @WalterSorrells
Facebook: / waltersorrellsblades
Patreon: / waltersorrells

[@SLmetalmania]

This video is very important for me thank you very much!!

[@jamesbarisitz4794]

They resemble a jewelers mold for casting silver/gold round bar. Neat build Walter. Thank you for putting this up .

[@homemadetools]

Excellent work! We put your video on our homemade tools forum this week, credited to you of course :)

[@Smallathe]

Very cool DIY - nicely made and... it works!!! :)

[@RedBeardOps]

Very cool sir! I need to get my hydraulic press going again... you're making me jealous. 🙌

[@ZyloXDT]

LOL Remember me!! I sent u an email of my knifes

[@ZyloXDT]

And I’m subbed

[@RedBeardOps]

@@ZyloXDT You found me! Cheers sir

[@ZyloXDT]

Lol

[@unclebob540i3]

Another great tutorial. This will also work for welding cable.

[@couldbejokim4557]

I really should do that, thanks Walter

[@walte99]

Great video! Have you done or considered doing a power hammer vs. hydraulic press video from the perspective of "if you only have room for one piece in your shop?" Thanks.

[@sagebrushrepair]

press is prooooooobably more versatile... for a bladesmith. for a blacksmith, power hammer? as long as it's good. a good fly press can do things well to though.
IT DEPENDS!
both arguments can be made either way i reckon.
You have to make less dies, less often, on a press?

[@nitenasty]

@@sagebrushrepair Ilike your help

[@dougvuillemot8670]

​@@sagebrushrepair. Yup. I had to make the choice. I went with press. It's also a cheaper way to go. Went with the coal iron works 12 ton.

[@jamiegier3255]

If you removed material from the edges it would work correctly. Should be shaped like an eyeball. It will force materials to the center without forming a flashing every time it is squeezed. Rotate Between every blow. Top and bottom will size the material

[@jonathanbradshaw2754]

Who makes your press? I’m considering purchasing one vs. converting the log splitter I already have.

[@brysonalden5414]

Almost looked like a spline coming out of the dies at one point; if this was repeatable it would be great for making twisted handles for all kinds of things.

[@thomasarussellsr]

So, if you forge close but not exactly round, this can round it for you, as long as your not too under-sized or too over-sized, got it. Thanks.

[@billwoehl3051]

🤔🤔🤔why not just use the press and forge the holes in the dyes? Save ya a whole lot of time and drill bit sharpening.

[@ptv1250]

Material you’re using for die inserts is garbage. Hot toll steel will last for about 10 parts and then start to pit from the heat.
M2 is not a good choice either it doesn’t do well with that kind of heat…it’s high speed steel meant for drills, end mills and knives. M2 is meant for applications where a sharp edge is required to withstand cutting.
If you need a good material for Die Blocks, try H-13, Finkl FX1 or FX2. Finkl comes already heat treated to correct hardness. So once your done machining the die you can use it right away.