Thread: Plexto Shear Dies

Hi all,

At work we have a type of Plexto metal shear. It is for cutting circles in sheet metal. A point in the center, and a cutter at a movable radius.

Our dies are toast, and replacements are $$$. Our Manufacturing dept. has agreed to loan us the dies to make replacements, as long as they get a set too. I have the old ones, and was planning on doing the typical hardness test, and possible run an X-ray florescense scan to determine the alloy.

I am assuming the dies are going to be some type of tool steel. And should have a final sharpening AFTER hardening. How should dies such as these be sharpened?

Thanks for any advice!

Nick

Not sure if it"s right but what I did was use a spin index on the surface grinder, They cut real good so I guess I didnt screw it up

You might want to check with these guys-
http://www.maytool.com/

They make their own brand of circle cutting shears, but they also make blades for Pexto shears.
I dont know how much three dollar signs is, but I used to work with them on industrial blacksmithing jobs, and I never thought their prices were outrageous.

Their replacement blades are $140/set. Cant see how that is so high, on a machine that frequently sells used for well over a grand, and sells new for between $4k and $11k. You could maybe pick their brains about what kind of steel they use, and how they do it. They were very nice and friendly guys when I used to deal with them, about 10 years ago. Heck, they might even give you a student discount!

Ries,

Thanks for the info! Ill let my boss know. I bet he will just want to buy them.

As for the alloy...hehe, our school just got a handheld XRF (X-Ray Flourescense). Point and shoot, it will give the elemental breakdown of a material, of all elements above Si!

NK

I have some info. on sharpening Niagara circle shear cutters. Their cutters are made of High Carbon High Chrome (HCHC) or Air Hardening Alloy (AHA). May Tool is probably your best bet for replacements. They supply cutters for By George which is the make I have. Let me know if you want sharpening info. Martin