Tooling up to make belt buckles

kvanpelt

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Joined
Feb 24, 2015
Messages
8
Location
Nebraska
For pressing jewelry it has been said time after time to not try anything less then s 20 Ton. But sounds like you just want to put a slight curve on the buckle. I usually use 18 or 16 GA. Unless you are ew anting to press designs into buckle you could prob get by with less. I don't use a press for buckles, I use doming block and mallet.
 

dave gibson

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Aug 18, 2009
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323
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Livermore,CA
Since I first posted this I've bought some real nice doming plates from Lindsay and a 5 ton press, works great for 16 ga nickel, 16 is as thick as I can find. I'm still needing proper dapping tools to make the backing plates fit the domed front but I'm able to fake it. The project is working slowly but crawling along, I'm now able to make a belt buckle from scratch, and I do mean scratch. I've actually sold some, so now I'm just looking for ways to make them better. Thanks for all the helpful info everyone and if you have anymore suggestions please keep them coming.
 

tdelewis

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Oct 10, 2010
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752
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Volant, PA 60 miles north of Pittsburgh
My first buckle was shaped by hollowing out a piece of white oak and using a soft hammer to shape it in the hollow. Worked well. I just made my first ranges set and also made a domed white oak form to shape it over. I did three tries in copper before I was satisfied with it.
 

dave gibson

Elite Cafe Member
Joined
Aug 18, 2009
Messages
323
Location
Livermore,CA
For pressing jewelry it has been said time after time to not try anything less then s 20 Ton. But sounds like you just want to put a slight curve on the buckle. I usually use 18 or 16 GA. Unless you are ew anting to press designs into buckle you could prob get by with less. I don't use a press for buckles, I use doming block and mallet.

What kind of doming block do you use? I want one to dome the backing hardware for my buckles, do you have a picture and dimensions? thanks
 
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