Making a thin 2pt Steel Rule Clicker Die with basic tools

Making a steel rule clicker die for cutting out repeatable leather shapes...made using fairly basic tools. This tool is bending 2pt die, it will not manage thicker dies.
My website is: www.bucklehurstleather.co.uk
Here is a link for the bending tool:
www.durston.co.uk/lan-multi/pr...
and here is a link for a steel rule supplier in the UK:
www.partwell.com/die-makers-st...

[@chrisd3113]

I must say Harry your videos have saved me a ton of money! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge.🙏

[@mikeb2777]

Harry you are quite expert at both your craft and explaining, in adequate detail, how to accomplish the tasks at hand. Thank you.

[@maryfrederickson9400]

You are truly THE BEST! You have no idea how many people you have inspired, helped and taught. It is always something new to learn when I tunn in

[@harryrogers]

Thanks very much Mary

[@xankru5270]

So glad I got this video, been searching on how to make your own die.

[@Jlayism]

Great job for a first try. I call that a success. Thanks for sharing!

[@jwoldsr1]

Thank you, Harry. My leather crafting hobby/business has increased to the point that cutting everything out by hand has become unworkable. Your demonstration has demystified clicker die making. I am ready to give it a go. (Oregon State, USA)

[@Ttothentothec03]

For anyone attempting this, simply tape your pattern to the steel with masking tape and continue to tape it as you complete each bend, to achieve precise bends.

[@3dbruce1]

I like how you have done the backing board... and my son has a mig welder!!!

[@markeaste]

Success, this is really how us makers “make”. Great video.

[@harryrogers]

Thanks very much Mark.

[@moonolyth]

Looking at making my own slingshot batches with a system and Here you are again !! Great tool! I'll have to get a cheap version of this tool PS. I hate MDF too!! Thanks for sharing.

[@missedastitch323]

I can see why you choose this little bender. Safety. Any other type of bending would probably damage the edge. Smart job actually👍🏼

[@oldschooljack3479]

Bravo Harry! There doesn't seem to be much that you can't do.

[@dandysquirrel]

Very informative - thank you.

[@manualas9071]

Amazing work 😎

[@AmineMahi]

Thank you. I follow your channel from Algeria.

[@harryrogers]

Thanks very much

[@tokaletsie892]

Well done... Interesting video indeed

[@rasumidurais4145]

Excellent presentation sir

[@harryrogers]

Thanks very much

[@hellboundrubber4448]

You can draw a pattern line on a board, that way you can see overbends and the paper doesn't get overused. A collection of pattern lines can be drawn on one board for later use.

[@johnmathews2022]

Great job.

[@1coolworld]

this is just the information i was looking for ..i have been figuring out how to make many different machines .and i hadnt figured die cutting yet as it was to be the most important active part ..now i understand how they are made normally i can think about your way and alt ways i have viewed a lot of your videos they are all interesting and showing good approaches to techniques ..are you in london by the way ? great stuff

[@waleedgamal2793]

Thanks from egypt

[@stewartalbert3523]

More expensive and more effort , but longer life glue print to hard ply wood . Saw along line with scroll saw . Plywood thickness to accomodate steel and ejector pad if used . Holes can be drilled in plywood for small cutters for holes or special shapes . plywood holds die in place,and is bolted to steel backing plate . I serviced presses for company that did not quote orders less than ten thousand units . Their bender was same basic design ,larger and more tooling .There are many small small cutters available for holes etc , sorry i don't have vendor info . A little practice you will be pleased with your results .

[@harryrogers]

Thanks Stewart.

[@chrisfournier6144]

Sandpaper and MDF, ugh. If only it wasn’t so stable, flat and relatively inexpensive! I’m with you Harry, I dislike the stuff but it is a necessary evil sometimes! Dies look great!

[@Mraquaholic]

If I can offer a couple of bits of advice Harry. I don't use the backing plywood. I'm only using a 1 ton arbor press and I find the ram needs very little pressure when used on the steel rule itself. I don't have the movable base that you have so I have to move the die and the leather which is not ideal but deouble sided tape stops the leather from moving about. Regarding the bottom of your bag, Have you considered inverting it? It would be much easier to sew and would leave a stiff lip for the bag to sit on thus protecting the bottom of it. Good job on the video. Keep up the good work. Paul

[@1coolworld]

i thought i might add something may be worth you trying..i have seen some that have just been welded with a 2 steel bars to support the pressure plate

[@Revlon10]

Thank you

[@jwoldsr1]

Hello, again Harry. I have not located a similar tool in the US, so I will try to invent and make one of my own design. I will let you know how it works out.

[@shkosmartsew5899]

Thank you sir to this video

[@charlesdicken567]

I notice that the website for the steel rule supplier have several different blades available. Which blade do you purchase from them for your dies?

[@harryrogers]

Charles Dicken please see Matt reply below thanks

[@PINACI]

All well and good making it yourself and good on you for going to all this effort but for the price of purchasing all the tools and metal and spending all that time making the cutting die, it would be far cheaper to get on the the leather cutting die makers from AlliExpress to custom make them for you using their die making machines which are computerised. It's a lot cheaper than you think.

[@tokolosh11]

I see the latest offering from Durston has delrin dies. I don't think that will work well. That's a pity as I thought that this was going to be it... even if it was from 2016. Great video though, thanks for sharing.

[@mrt9749]

tape your pattern to the steel die so you can bend it just right as you move along. tape more of the pattern to the die as you finish bending

[@danielsullivan5844]

I think I would wear tight fitting leather gloves for handling the sharp metal strips. Good luck on your project.

[@DovetailKitchens]

Please can you tell me where to get the lovley chunky zips you use for your bucket bags? I love your videos Harry. Keep them coming!

[@harryrogers]

I think they are no6, S&K Fittings in London sell it by the metre

[@DovetailKitchens]

@@harryrogers Thank you Harry

[@billmccaffrey1977]

Harry, I am starting to play around with die making for leather as well. The method I am starting with is to cut the wood template (undersized by two rule thicknesses) and then wrap the rule around it by anchoring the wood template to the bench and using leverage to pull the rule hard/tight against the template. Have you tried this method? any suggestions?

[@harryrogers]

Sounds very good especially for things like bag sides and bases...I guess anchoring one end of the rule with a nail might help? Thanks for sharing. Rgds Harry

[@fixinstuff9662]

I had been researching making a die when I found your video. Is it possible to bend it with hammer, vise, and anvil or would that shatter the hardened parts?

[@harryrogers]

The universal is fairly malleable...not brittle, but I don't think a hammer will do the job, though I have not tried it.

[@freewilly321]

The link for the bending tool goes to 404 not found, which is not unexpected, as this video was posted in 2016. Great video!!

[@Frankowillo]

Just do a search on "ring bending tool", you'll recognise it when you see it.

[@user-yy3lo9ec6r]

جميل لو رابط العدة دي تكون مشكور

[@domnicribeiro3449]

Where do u buy ur bending tool an its cost

[@porkchop1936]

Thanks for a great video. Just curious. How is the ring bender holding up after a few years?

[@harryrogers]

I used it several times and then got a large bending machine. It managed larger curves happily but was limited on detail curves....its only suitable for thin die.

[@domnicribeiro3449]

Whare do u buy ue rules from

[@AdinoEznite]

Would the steel rule be useable to make a small French skiver blade? I'm thinking you could make a V-groove skiver, flats, rounds, etc.

[@harryrogers]

My 2pt rule is double bevelled so not ideal, plus it lacks mass...might be feasible with other rule.

[@pfaff145tippmann7]

hello where can i find that machine to make the dice. I would like it if you help me in that .. thank you

[@harryrogers]

Please see the link in the description

[@AdinoEznite]

What height rule do you use? Sorry if you state it in the video, I just am short on time, have watched it through once, will again later.

[@harryrogers]

23.8 2pt universal Bholer

[@srinivasvankayala8763]

How to buy this product?

[@MikeL-jb8mj]

Awesome video, Thank you for making it. Where does one buy steel rule? And does coming with a sharpened edge a standard thing, or does someone have to look specifically for it? Getting ready to watch your clicker press video. Stay tuned for more questions :)

[@harryrogers]

Langs Custom Knives It's in the description

[@PLENITUDE2BGAMING]

Thank You for your video. Can you tell me where is possible to find blades to bend please ?

[@harryrogers]

Hi try the Partwell Group

[@PLENITUDE2BGAMING]

@@harryrogers ok thank you 😊

[@3dbruce1]

By the way, I got my bender on Ebay. Under "Ring Bender!"

[@systemtim]

don’t understand why you don’t make mould first then match the steel to it, much easier and more accurate that fiddling with a sheet of paper surely. Great video really helpful. Thanks.

[@harryrogers]

Hello there are two reasons...the steel has some spring back and I am very used to woodwork...but that said it's good to try different variations on my approach. Rgds Harry

[@systemtim]

ah ok, I’m very experienced with woodwork and this just seems an unusual way to approach something. However each to their own. Personally I would make the inner wooden piece, the. bend a strip of paper or card all the way round, mark the start and ends of al the bends, transfer to the cutting strip and then bend. Just think it would be a whole lot easier

[@markcondit6622]

where can I buy some of that material? and what exactly is it called?

[@harryrogers]

Please see the video notes for links.

[@joelndlela7982]

Harry im Joel from SA, i would to know where can i find that ruller?

[@harryrogers]

Hi Joel try Milawakee Steel rule and die.

[@ne14gfx66]

Why is it you can't buy cutting rule or creasing rule in the UK easily anymore is there some sort of import restrictions on it can source the stuff from china no problem but no resellers in the UK This stuff used to be £2 a meter.

[@bitsurfer0101]

Does the steel rule already come with a sharp edge?

[@harryrogers]

Yes

[@mihaipetcu5930]

Hello... Where do u buy steel rule from in UK pls?

[@harryrogers]

Please see the link in the description

[@josephcrowley3460]

Draw the pattern on a sheet of wood, get yourself a bridger and you’ll have a cutting die

[@muraleedharanpaloran1712]

Nice explanation. Can I have the model of the hole punching scissors that is used . Thanks.

[@harryrogers]

Hi its a Whitney Punch. Best wishes Harry

[@muraleedharanpaloran1712]

@@harryrogers Thanks 😊

[@ramchandrapednekar2096]

Hi, Ranchandra

[@sterlingleatherca-8915]

Very informative video. Are you able to get away with cutting thicker veg tan leather with the 2pt rule? Based on what I’m seeing online, these machines won’t bend 3pt rule. Thanks!

[@harryrogers]

You will be struggling with thicker leather, and yes 2pt rule seems to be the max.

[@sterlingleatherca-8915]

@@harryrogers will it damage the 2pt if I tried to cut 8-10 oz veg tan?

[@harryrogers]

@@sterlingleatherca-8915 it may struggle or have a shorter life, if well supported on a small section you may get away with it. I did not try much in the way of thicker bits, so I might be wrong, I did cut out some small logo badgers in thick leather.

[@cris.han0311]

Hello sir, I know video is 5 years old but would you be able to show a tutorial on how to do slot bending. I have a difficult time bending die rule into slots either I'm to short on blade or I won't get them to close completely

[@harryrogers]

I am sorry I am not well now.

[@cris.han0311]

@@harryrogers I'm so sorry to hear that . Hope you do recover and get well

[@sohojpath8478]

I want this bending tool.. I'm from India.. is this possible?

[@harryrogers]

Cookson Gold in the UK sell them.

[@crperdonsin]

Hi, what scissors you use for cut a steel rule in 18:15 minutes ? Is a normal scissors or a special? I live in Brazil, and I want buy a scissors equal this model.

[@harryrogers]

Hi Carlos they are aviation tin snips...so made for cutting thin sheet metal....you can get left, right and straight versions.

[@crperdonsin]

@@harryrogers tanks

[@josephcrowley3460]

Steel rule

[@MrJibex]

Bagaimana cara membelinya?

[@harryrogers]

m.aliexpress.com/item/4000335216556.html?src=google&_randl_currency=GBP&_randl_shipto=GB&src=google&albch=shopping&acnt=494-037-6276&isdl=y&slnk=&plac=&mtctp=&albbt=Google_7_shopping&aff_platform=google&aff_short_key=UneMJZVf&&albagn=888888&albcp=9604713100&albag=99283534296&trgt=296904913880&crea=en4000335216556&netw=u&device=m&albpg=296904913880&albpd=en4000335216556&gclid=Cj0KCQjw9b_4BRCMARIsADMUIypbL5RyR6nJ7uVf43SgmV9U1BsgjZZviln5QAHPI9M6yP2uLzx29AsaAiR3EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

[@arrowstheorem1881]

It seems that such steel cannot be bent to a pointed angle

[@harryrogers]

Hello..with the right formers it can be bent to a point, I will post another film sometime as I have developed this further. Rgds Harry

[@shawnkingston5882]

i think maybe my comment was deleted because i posted links to the products.. my question was if anyone has any idea whether the 60$ bending tools would be good enough? i'm looking at the pepe tools one and its 200$+.. any (even vague) advice very welcome! thanks for the awesome video

[@harryrogers]

The Pepe type are not very powerful so work with thin rule but not with the thicker stuff...I think now I would just get dies made professionally....but I appreciate they are expensive.

[@shawnkingston5882]

@@harryrogers Thanks for your reply Harry! How come you had a change of heart regarding making them yourself? Too much work or some unexpected problems came up?

[@harryrogers]

@@shawnkingston5882 Hi its easy for bag bases etc. But more difficult for smaller items like wallets to get 100% right..

[@shawnkingston5882]

@@harryrogers thanks for the info. i'm kind of stubborn and bored so i think i'll give it a go anyways, it's to attempt to die cut stickers. i'll let you know how it goes!

[@shawnkingston5882]

in case someone was reading this and wondered how it turned out for me, bought one of the alibaba ones, it was able to bend the rule but got a bit stuck (probably needed lubrication) and the handle part that you turn got very easily broken (it's a metal pole into a threaded socket, and the pole got dethreaded). still works. that said, i found for making small shapes that have multiple bends to be either very difficult or impossible (if your rule is a small shape that comes back around, it gets in the way of the bender itself.. like imagine getting inside a small square with a big rig bending machine). so long story short, it didn't work for my needs (cutting stickers), i think it would work if it's easy shapes like squares but any type of intricate die cutting seems too hard to do accurately, and/or impossible without cutting the die into different bits then soldering them together again. but yeah happy to have tried and happy for the video!

[@mikepeterkin2407]

just rewatching to find out Where to Get the Blades? I'm not even sure what to Google... 'Clicker Die Blade' gives me nothing...

[@harryrogers]

Hi Mike...there are links in the description. Rgds Harry

[@jillosiecki3049]

General name is called “Steel Rule Die.” The host uses that name about 25% in to video. Used to cut other materials as well as leather. Die cutters are not generally called “clicker” either-that appears to be a name that is commonly used in leather craft, but not generally in die cutting industry. Might be a brand name that was generalized.

[@Mraquaholic]

I love ya Harry but you are a naughty boy. Just paid £252 for one of these only to find there are different thicknesses and hardnesses of the rule die of which I still have about 55 left of of the box of 60 which has been fine for bigger stuff but this machine won't touch it or at least takes a helluva lot more force than I can muster and I'm not a weakling. Would this be why you upgraded to the bigger one?

[@harryrogers]

Oh yes this is fine for the thinner stuff but sorry not for the thicker...I am sorry about that. I got the other bender for complex shapes still using 2pt rule.

[@Mraquaholic]

@@harryrogers I've got some thinner stuff coming tomorrow so if the bender still doesn't perform I'll return it and look for the second one, Did you find a "best price seller" for the second one?

[@harryrogers]

@@Mraquaholic You should be fine with 2pt Bohler universal. I got my big one from Partwell second hand...it still cost a lot. Which bit of the UK are you in?

[@bagramdave883]

Kept waiting for the Julia Child moment. !

[@kcrubber]

you included a link to the company you bought your son but you don't say which one you bought that would be most helpful thank you very much

[@harryrogers]

Please see reply to Matt below.

[@ilhaamwakil718]

Orya Textiles has some amazing leathers. Check out their Instagram @oryatextiles, I always buy from there.

[@likes2fly]

to bad you can't buy steel die benders in the united states.

[@harryrogers]

Hi I think these go under the brand of Pepe ring benders in the US....also maybe try googling Helmond...good luck.

[@likes2fly]

@@harryrogers thank you, i found it. I will try it but I doubt it will be strong enough to bend the thicker ruler metal that I need. I'm pressing with a 15 ton machine

[@harryrogers]

@@likes2fly yes you will need a strong bender for thicker die...like 4pt thickness or more I guess.

[@seymourwrasse3321]

sorry to hear about your health problems

[@harryrogers]

Thanks Seymour