10/27 - 11/17 Pancake, Forming, & Embossing Dies, Hydraulic Press Tricks and More! with Jeff de Boer

Sundays, October 27 - November 17, 2024 
(4, 3-hour sessions)
11:00 am - 2:00 pm, PDT 

Instructor: Jeff de Boer

Dive into the amazing tricks and theory of making a variety of infinitely repeatable and combinable punched and die-pressed components in both metal and leather. 

For over 30 years, Jeff de Boer has made numerous kinds of dies - pancake dies for punching out parts, forming dies for adding 3-D shaping, and embossing dies for use with thin copper and leather. Jeff has his system figured out so perfectly, that he can start from scratch to make a die and then punch out 20 parts in less than an hour! He will show you how he uses a time-saving type of steel that doesn't require the extra steps of hardening and tempering. He has many other tricks up his sleeves, too, from the solder he calls "hot epoxy" to his clever low-tech solution for tilting his bench pin and much more.

Join Jeff de Boer as he throws open the door to your next metal arts adventure!

Student Level: All levels welcome; beginners should have basic sawing, piercing, filing, and sanding skills.

All classes include the video recording, which you will have access to for 60 days after the class. Zoom link and instructions for joining the call will be emailed 1 day (24 hours) prior to class.

The class supply list is below and contains links to buy the supplies you need.

Supply List for Students

The links below will take you to RioGrande.com or other suppliers. To see prices for precious metal items, you need a free Rio Grande account. Students in the Rio for Schools program enjoy wholesale benefits for six months (instructor code = RFSLMF). This site may contain Amazon and other affiliate links. If you purchase something through the link, at no cost to you, we may receive a small commission on qualifying purchases.

Recommended Tools:

• Access to a hydraulic press, 20 ton
• Bench vise
  • Bench vise with wood 2" x 4" and V-board (see second image on right) OR
  • Jayne Redman Rotational Bench Pin
• Jeweler's saw with 5"-5.5" throat
• 3/0 saw blades
• Drill
• Twist drill bits, 1/8" or 3/32"
• Small square

Recommended Materials for Pancake & Forming Dies:

• 16g SWG (1.63mm or 1/16") satin coat steel 5” x 3” (also called "galvannealed" steel). (OnlineMetals part # 26448 - use the "Create Custom Cut" button to order a 5"x3" blank) This is NOT SATIN FINISH STAINLESS OR GALVANIZED. Satin coat is a special heat-sprayed coating on the steel.  This steel is actually lightly tempered and has a bit of spring to it. It can be cut with a jeweler's saw and makes for durable punches. 
• 1/4” plexiglass (for making die forming tools)
  
• Devcon Plastic Steel Liquid Epoxy rated to 50 tons/square inch. Optional - Jeff will discuss use in the first session)

Recommended Materials for Embossing Dies (ex: cats in the top left corner of the main image):

• 30ga copper sheet
• 18-20ga brass sheet
• MG Chemicals lead-free electronics solder
• Lead-free tinning flux (Home Depot)
• 1/4" rubber sheet (Home Depot)