Does anybody know what these tools are??

[kingstrider]

I bought some reloading stuff over the summer and found this lot of tools in the bottom of the box. I'm not really sure what it is but figured some of you guys might know. The first box is marked "FW & Son" and contains a bunch of stamps or dies of some kind. The second box contains an assortment of stuff I have no idea what is for. Finally there are three round things in the last photo. Anyway I have no idea what this stuff is or what it is used for but am pretty sure its nothing I need to reload in any of the guns I shoot. Any help in identifying this stuff would be appreciated!
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t138/kingstrider/tools1.jpg
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t138/kingstrider/tools2.jpg
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t138/kingstrider/tools3.jpg
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t138/kingstrider/tools4.jpg
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t138/kingstrider/tools5.jpg

[jhrosier]

The first photo is dies for bending steel rule stock.

Do a Google search for "steel rule dies" and you will see the product that the rule is made in to.

Jack

[legend]

I will ask my teenager;he knows everything.........................

[lead-1]

The top pics are forming dies used to bend or shape the steel rule and in the 3rd and 4th pics the larger blocks with the two pins sticking out and the two "T" shaped blocks are used together in the forming press to cut notches in the steel rule. We used those in the die shop where I used to work.

[kingstrider]

What is the "steel rule" used for?

[imashooter2]

The steel rule is bent into shapes and they are mounted in a press to cut thin material into odd shapes (like jigsaw puzzles and gaskets). Do a Google search and you will find a couple videos.

ETA:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzuUe5UmOfc

[lead-1]

Our's was used for cutting boards. We started with a sheet of Maple plywood with both sides finished, cut a design in the wood then formed the steel rule to fit the design. The different dies in the first pic allowed different radius bends to be made and the different notching dies stamped a notch in the rule so it could only go so deep into the board. The steel rule has one edge that is sharp, it would slice to the bone if you weren't careful, we had one operation that cut carpet in a press so the carpet could be pressed onto car/truck mats and we had another operation that mats that had carpet already on the rubber were cut into whatever shape car/truck floor mats. Another place I worked at the die boards were used to cut the different shaped pieces of sound proofing and insulation for in the doors and under the carpet of whatever car or truck. We pushed out an unbelievable number of automotive floor mats in a years time and were suppliers for just about every auto maker, Mack, Volvo, Peterbuilt and even Yamaha golf carts.

[jhrosier]

What is the "steel rule" used for?

The plastic packaging that many products are sold in is formed as a large sheet with many packages that are then cut out with steel rule dies.


18275


I designed plastic packaging and the tooling, including steel rule dies for about 12 years.

Jack

[Philngruvy]

in the last photo, the three round things are dies that would be used in conjunction with a punch to make square holes in material (sheet metal, steel, etc.)

[John Guedry]

I am truly amazed by the knowledge of the folks on this forum and their willingness to share it.

[largom]

Used these in a plant I worked at, only we did'nt make steel rule dies. We used this little press to bend spring wire and spring steel into various shapes. Dies will not do you any good without the press.

Larry

[kingstrider]

I am truly amazed by the knowledge of the folks on this forum and their willingness to share it.

Ain't that the truth. I got this stuff in a big box of reloading items at a garage sale so I've been wondering why it was in there. I guess now that I know what it is I'll put it on ebay over the next few days. Might as well make a few dollars for more reloading stuff instead of tossing it out.

[docone31]

Jeepers, that video reminded me of when I was in Corrugating.
We had die presses that we operated much like the one shown in the video. We used Maple Plywood, and cut patterns into it. The knives came on a roll. The upper die plate, kept the knife from moving from the plane of cutting. We would bang a notch into knives on the die board to keep the corrugated from falling apart while removeing it from the press.
Every now and then, we would leave the tape measure on the die plate while we were trying it out for a run.
Made a mess out of the board.
I got good at operating the press.
Just a matter of rythym.