ADHD-forge Posted February 22, 2019 Share Posted February 22, 2019 I have the opportunity to cut my own swage block on the cutting table at work from 100mm thick mild steel. Now i was wondering what the essential features should be. I was thinking of a couple radius cuts on the side, some v cuts on the other side. And some round , square and rectangular holes in the center. And grinding in a dome on the top or bottom side. And what are the most important hole sizes should be. I use metric units. Any toughts? Or anyone who has a drawing wich i could use or adapt Thanks guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted February 22, 2019 Share Posted February 22, 2019 There was a good discussion about this last year. Might be a good starting place: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted February 22, 2019 Share Posted February 22, 2019 There are many out there with dimensions listed. The real question is what sizes and shapes would You need. One smiths needs can vary widely to others. What do You make and how could certain shapes help You in Your work is the answer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGGUNDOCTOR Posted February 23, 2019 Share Posted February 23, 2019 The design should be based on your needs for a swage block. So first, determine what you want to make, and do those items require a swage block? if so, what features are needed to accomplish the task? Will you be forming round , square, or rectangular tenons? Hex or square bolt heads? Triangular cross sections? Spoons, bowls, or other dished items? I have the blocks my dad made back in the 90's and have yet to use one of them. They look cool, but I just have not needed one yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ADHD-forge Posted March 3, 2019 Author Share Posted March 3, 2019 this is what i came up with and what i think i'll need for future projects. i'll probably will grind in a dome on top where i left a blank space or go to a local machine depending on the cost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC Hammer Posted March 12, 2019 Share Posted March 12, 2019 That looks pretty good. When I was looking at your diagram I was thinking the lower right corner would be a great place for a depression to do bowls and spoons, etc. then I read your post and saw that you had planned on that already. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ADHD-forge Posted March 12, 2019 Author Share Posted March 12, 2019 I've ran in to a little snag, the guys from the weld shop told me they cant cut the middle parts with the oxy/acetelene table so i'm thinking to just cut the outside and go to a machinist or find a company with a waterjet if its posible to cut it wit with a waterjet of course Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC Hammer Posted March 12, 2019 Share Posted March 12, 2019 Yeah, you may need a CNC machine to cut them out. The one I just bought off Etsy (see my post in this section) was done with a CNC machine. My 11 x11 x 2 swage block only cost $130 shipping included! That may be cheaper than you having all that work done. I can give you a link if you send me PM. Photo removed since its already been posted in another thread Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGGUNDOCTOR Posted March 13, 2019 Share Posted March 13, 2019 Why can't they cut it? We used a small O/A CNC torch to cut out the ones at the college. Those were two inch plate, and it cut very clean. We could have easily gone thicker with good results on that unit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ADHD-forge Posted March 13, 2019 Author Share Posted March 13, 2019 9 hours ago, BIGGUNDOCTOR said: Why can't they cut it? They said the cuts are to narrow to get a decent precise cut. And the blowout on the back would be to big for the small holes And the plate would be nearly 4 inch thick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC Hammer Posted March 13, 2019 Share Posted March 13, 2019 My personal opinion is that you'll be glad you went with the 4 inch thick plate. I just bought a 2 inch thick swage and I wonder how much heavy abuse it could take. I don't plan on doing anything that heavy on it, but certainly if you are making THE swage block you'll have for your entire life a 4 inch would be the way to go. Go big or go home Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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