Making Gas Checks on 4 different manufactures check making dies.

[Rustystud]

I bought 4 different manufactures check making punch dies. Two manufactures are one step check makers and two are two step check makers. One of the one step check maker leaves jagged edges. On punched out perfectly clean round edges. The two step punch dies punh out clean round disk, then form them to a cup. One of the two step punch dies makes perfectly clean roud edged gas checks. The other two step makes mini bottle caps. All four when sized in a luber sizer make wonderfully seated gas checks. Honestly I like the one step better. One of the one step die manufacture uses 12L 14 steel. Easy to machine but soft if not hardened. If these dies had been heat treated they would have been much better. 12L 14 surface hardens very nicely with little warpage. The other one step appears to be made from 4140 or M7 Tool steel. They are much harder and more durable, holding an edge longer. The two stage Punch die is most likely some form of tool steel. Both work there are plusses and minus to either type.
Rustystud

[Balrog006]

What are the 4 different ones you tried and which qualities from your post do they have?

Ie which were two step and which were one, which were the steels you mentioned?

[Big T]

I have two from the guy in Canada. One works perfect(30cal) and the plain base 44 one does not work at all. Checks are not tall enough to stay on the bullet even during seating in a case. I had a 357 one from the guy in Florida but that would not work either. It was dull and I about ripped the press off my bench trying to use it.

I pretty much just buy plain base molds now.

[DME72]

are you using an arbor press or a reloading press? arbor press is the way to go. i use 4140 on the dozen or so check makers i have made. i have also used 1045 hardened with good results. the only thing i would even think about using 12l14 for would be the forming die. basically forms the cup on the check. ed smith style one step check makers is what i have made.

[dverna]

I bought 4 different manufactures check making punch dies. Two manufactures are one step check makers and two are two step check makers. One of the one step check maker leaves jagged edges. On punched out perfectly clean round edges. The two step punch dies punh out clean round disk, then form them to a cup. One of the two step punch dies makes perfectly clean roud edged gas checks. The other two step makes mini bottle caps. All four when sized in a luber sizer make wonderfully seated gas checks. Honestly I like the one step better. One of the one step die manufacture uses 12L 14 steel. Easy to machine but soft if not hardened. If these dies had been heat treated they would have been much better. 12L 14 surface hardens very nicely with little warpage. The other one step appears to be made from 4140 or M7 Tool steel. They are much harder and more durable, holding an edge longer. The two stage Punch die is most likely some form of tool steel. Both work there are plusses and minus to either type.
Rustystud

Identifying the makers would make this a more informative post.

[SiliconeSword]

I have a Matteson and although it works it's rather rough and needed substantial sanding to work right. The bore was too rough and I'd have to clear it every 10 punches or it'd get an extreme jam and ruin all my checks. I ended up counter boring it and it's good enough for my 9mm PB needs, not so much anymore.
I had need for a .30 check maker so I took aspects of the Matteson and made my own from 52100 steel that is likely very overkill for this. It turned out extremely well with very tight tolerances and I punched out a $50 roll of flashing over the winter and they're all in bottles ready for use.

I haven't personally used one but just from the pictures the surface finish looks better than a Matteson and the price is a good deal less which is the BSB one from Canada. If I get another caliber I'll just buy one of those because the price is less than the work it takes for me to make one imo.
The 22reloader one that may go under another name elsewhere is supposedly absolute trash by both being bad steel, poor tolerances, and only accepting the thickest of stock. I doubt I'll get a 2 stage like the Pat Marlin as it'd double the time/work of an already long and hard process.