Die Filer From Bar Stock With Video and Plans

[Jon]

Congratulations jjr2001 - your Die Filer is the Homemade Tool of the Week!

We had a big week around here, but this is a decisive winner, and it's extremely well-documented.

Some more nice builds from this week:

Electric Furnace by rgsparber
Double T-Nuts by editor@glue-it.com
Single Point Lathe Threading Method by Crusty
Circular Saw Guide by Didpoolhall
Mini Lathe Crank by old_toolmaker
Wall Mounted Revolving Storage by Kwandotechnic
Tool Post Grinder by Crusty
Tailstock Die Holder by bouboulas
Electric Furnace Controller by rgsparber
Bench Clamp by Kovanca Polock
Pipe Vise by orioncons36
Roller Support Stand by fawabros
Hydraulic Vise by andrewwoody
Grill Press by orioncons36
Workshop Accessory Table by mklotz
Optical Debugging Tool by rgsparber
Latch by orioncons36
Alternative Glue Bottle by tsbrownie
Panel Hammer by th62
Tap and Die Holders by jjr2001
Die Holder Adaptor by jjr2001


jjr2001 - you'll be receiving a $25 online gift card, in your choice of Amazon, PayPal, or bitcoin. Please PM me your current email address and gift card choice and I'll get it sent over right away.

This is your 6th Homemade Tool of the Week win. Here are all of your Homemade Tool of the Week winning tools. Congrats again

Grinder Fine Feed Adjuster by jjr2001

tags: grinder, adjustable

CNC Motor Spindle by jjr2001

tags: CNC, spindle, motor

EDF Thrust Tester by jjr2001

tags: fan, tester

Offset Tool Bit Holder for Lathe by jjr2001

tags: machining, threading

Model Assembly Fixture by jjr2001

tags: fixture, assembly

Die Filer by jjr2001

tags: motor, controller, die filer

[old_toolmaker]

JR,
Congratulations on your Homemade tool of the week award!
Well done and well deserved!

[jjr2001]

Thank you Jon and old_toolmaker. It is always exciting to receive the tool of the week award.
The die filer is something that I have wanted in the shop for some time so I just put my other projects
on hold and "got er done"

Cheers and Keep Machining, JR

[Toolmaker51]

Ideally, a die filer uses "parallel machine files", and shank is at the end to produce a cut on the down stroke. In general, needle files aren't a bad alternative, long as you are not working into an acute corner, where tapered shapes will bind. It's a lot like band sawing, best results are with three or more teeth engaged in the cut. Files are more forgiving, teeth meet material at an angle.
When I started, die-filers were the only practical way to generate corners in a die, and taper beneath the cutting section, known as 'die-life'. Way before EDM, many contours were roughed out on a vertical band saw to start with; provided shop was equipped with a band saw welder...

[jjr2001]

Thanks Toolmaker51, So far the needle files are doing the job. My application is for light duty work but if I happen
on some machine files I will want to see how my little machine works with them.

Cheers, JR

[old_toolmaker]

Toolmaker51,

I have many memories of using a die filer to build dies. I began my career in 1966 and used die filers to aid in building both the punch and the die. I was employed as a mold maker for most of my career and we occasionally had to build trim dies for the die casting industry. With the advent of EDM the die filer eventually became a obsolete piece of equipment and faded from the scene. EDM changed the way we did things, but did not totally replace hand work. Manufacturing continues to evolve and always will. I still enjoy using some of the old ways from time to time.

[old_toolmaker]

jjr2001,

I really like your die filer and I am considering building one at some point. Being a hobby machinist I like building tools and always have.

[Toolmaker51]

Wire and sinker EDM might be modern; but my tooling budget says keep the die filer.

[jjr2001]

Indeed. Sometimes I think I am in this just to build the tools! But I do like to do a cannon or special part
for my son every now and again. Just started making a bracket for his plane to hold his Ipad just where he needs it.

I did not get my metal shop going until about 2014 or so. Computers and Navigation systems from 1965 till 2000.
Woodworking was always one of my hobbies since we wanted furniture made of wood not particle board and vinyl!
After retiring from my 31 years at a computer firm and traveling a bit to many of the National Parks ( I love Eagles) I
moved into RC model aircraft (yea, had to do a couple of "drones"). I still have a contra rotation prop drive motor that
I want to build. I won't fly it, just run it like a steam engine model. The die filer for the small shop still looks like a very
useful tool. I don't think any are being manufactured today except for the casting kits and bar-stock units like mine.

Cheers, JR

[jjr2001]

Wire and sinker EDM might be modern; but my tooling budget says keep the die filer.

Yes indeed. That sounds like a very good plan.