[TheForge] 1018

[Andy Vida]

"Mark A. Pesetsky" wrote:
> 
> I am new to the whole "dies for a power hammmer" game. I was wondering if
> someone could tell me the best steel for dies/the main anvil for an air
> hammer?

	There are many good die steels.  I'd say 4140/4340 are very good
	candidates largely because they are inexpensive, easily worked,
	and tough when properly treated.
	
	You could go bananas and use a block of S5 or S7, but I doubt
	it would be worth the cost.  They are super tough steels, though,
	and S7 is very good for hot work.  H-13 is another superb hot
	work steel, but again, relatively $$.

	Also, just because it stands out like a sore thumb in my mind,
	my recommendation is to use flat dies for general work rather
	than drawing dies.  You can make tooling for drawing easily
	enough.  And dont'waste your efforts on a combination die.  I
	find them to be a general nuissance, but that's just my worthless
	opinion.

	-Andy