Soft caps for power hammer dies?

[Timothy Miller]

So I have to flatten some hammer textured Stainless steel plate that is polished.  I want to preserve the finish it is only 1/8" thick.  My plan is to make some sort of soft caps for my power hammer dies to help to flatten the plate.  I was thinking of different materials I could use leather wood rubber or plastic.  It needs to be a tough material and something I can attach to a steel plate to bolt to my dies.  Any and all ideas re welcome.

[Steve McCarthy]

Try this http://www.mcmaster.com/#threaded-sundry-bumpers/=nva23t

 

In case the link gets deleted, go to McMaster Carr and search rubber bumpers.

[Buffalo]

I think that you are on the right track with a piece of hardwood covered with thick leather. I made wooden dyes to texture copper in the air hammer. Usually I would use a steel top dye with a wood bottom dye. Good luck! Let us know how it turns out.

[ianinsa]

A piece of conveyor belt , A bit of buzz bar(solid copper)

 

Ian

[macbruce]

Recycled rubber horse trailer mat is pretty tough and it's 3/4'' thick. Great stuff.

[Will. K.]

I would look at U.H.M.W. - polyethylene. It doesn't glue well but can be bolted & screwed.

 

I have some scrap pieces around 1" to 1-1/2" thick. if you wanted to give it a try I could mail you some.

 

 

[nonjic]

A piece of Fabreeka pad would be ideal !

[Judson Yaggy]

I'll second the UHMWPE idea, I have a drop in slab of it that covers the lower die on one of my hammers.  It'll extrude if you hit it too hard, but it's tougher than rubbers, etc.  Not for hot work. 

[peacock]

I've tried that withcold non-ferrous with not much success.  I get along really well with my flypress and chrome tan leather pad on both sides