Pullmax Dies on Steptoe Shaper, How To, Tig Arc Shots

In this video I am going to make a set of dies for the pullmax machine for an upcoming job. Made from easily available materials and shaped on my vintage Steptoe Shaper. Some tig arc shots included, before dies are put into machine and given a test.

[@andrewwilson8317]

Good call on using the shaping machine. I have one in the shop and really enjoy using it. Perfect for jobs like this. May be old tech in this modern world but still capable of producing great work. Having the level of user input makes it a real craftsman's choice. Nice work.

[@rowycoracing]

Awesome! Thank you for showing how you go about this. It gives me the confidence to give it a try myself.

[@metalshaperJeep]

thanks. Take your time and make sure your dies are smooth and fit together well and you will be fine. If you have never made a set before just have patience and you should do fine. let me know how your dies turn out. Brian

[@rowycoracing]

metalshaper I made a quick rough set this afternoon. Not all sanded and polished yet. But I tried them as is and the beads look pretty good and match my sample very close. I was trying to attach a picture of the test panel but couldn’t figure out how. Thanks again for sharing your info. It is very much appreciated.

[@metalshaperJeep]

Fantastic. I do enjoy when I am able to help others improve their skills. Hope your dies turned out like you hoped. Brian

[@algerc.5492]

Absolutely great video. This is the one and only, wire to wire vid on how to make dies for the Pullmax and other reciprocating machines. Lots of photo/description how to's but this is a first complete vid, thanks. Only question is why no allowance for thickness of metal between male and female. The welding/set up jig a great tip.

[@metalshaperJeep]

thanks for the comment. There is clearance between the dies but I guess I should have explained that better. Depending on the profile shape anything under 45 degree angle doesn't need clearance. 45 to 90 degrees needs material clearance. I can explain better in another video if there is enough interest. Brian

[@cbsos4u1952]

I liked your jig for the setting up and welding something i should have spent time on when i made my tools. I have Gariu MB5 which was sold for cutting circles on 3/8 steel plate, I adapted the if for panel reproduction but it lacks the option of changing stroke length and speed but it works. I found making the lower 32 ford door bead it was better to run the bead area through the English wheel to stretch that area to be beaded, this stopped the entire panel from hooping , the stretched metal was drawn into the form of the bead leaving the surround panel free of tension. Great video thanks

[@tempermental-hx8cn]

Awsum vids brother nice dies love the older tool nothing new will ever hold a candle to them be safe and tell everyone Tig 🤘 says hello

[@metalshaperJeep]

Thanks for watching and taking the time again to comment. Trying to bring more videos out as time allows, keep watching.

[@Brian-ug7du]

Great info. I really appreciate you taking the time to share your skills! Brian

[@metalshaperJeep]

Thanks for taking the time to watch.

[@notajp]

Nice to see an old shaper making chips and doing useful work in this age of CNC everything. The old iron ain’t obsolete if it will still get the job done! My old Champion metal lathe is from the thirties, and she still makes chips. Was pretty cool watching you crank that Pullmax up to full chooch. That thing can really hum!

[@metalshaperJeep]

I do enjoy the old machines, they still work great for one of a kind jobs which I am always doing. The pullmax is one of my favorites in the shop, it does so many different things. There was a lot more crank left on the dial and what you saw was just over half speed. the short stroke and planishing speeds get a lot higher and they smooth out a panel like magic. Brian

[@brianbures4478]

Great video I really enjoy all of them

[@metalshaperJeep]

Thanks, glad you are enjoying them. more on the way.

[@karlelliott9254]

Bravo! The bullseye today.

[@metalshaperJeep]

Hello Karl, thanks for watching and the comment. Good to hear from you. glad you enjoyed the video.

[@MrToolsinbox]

another great vid Brian. Thanks for sharing.

[@metalshaperJeep]

Thanks for watching, will show the rest of the job coming together when I patch the roof.

[@aprotonx]

I really enjoyed learning! You helped a lot. Thank you very much

[@metalshaperJeep]

Glad it was helpful!

[@fishhuntadventure]

I don't have these fancy-fangled tools and it's highly unlikely I ever will. I've made a few dies for use with a wood buck, like when I made a rear floor patch panel for my '89 YJ project, and some shaping 'dies' for the vise and shop press- basic stuff. Simple. So why do I watch these videos? Because I learn how stuff is done and it informs the techniques I use. Nice video, I can't believe you only have like 4K subscribers? Maybe because you show actual work, no clickbait titles, aren't swearing at people in the shop, or ranting about why your immaturity is ok? I like it - keep up the good work!

[@metalshaperJeep]

Thanks for the comment, and glad you are learning some things from my videos. That is why I make them. Brian

[@jeep970]

Nice job ..Brian

[@MrRShoaf]

It looks to me like this would be a perfect job for either a wire edm or a water jet.

[@metalshaperJeep]

yes, it would be great for either of those machines. In my area wire edm and water jet, companies charge so much for their work that it would be cost prohibitive to have them cut only one tool. If I were making 10,000 of something that would be a good way to go, but for one tool too costly. That is why I showed how to make it by hand with easily available machines.

[@jodsta0695]

Let's see some of the machines ?

[@charlesdyer2376]

Nice Job.

[@metalshaperJeep]

thanks, they turned out great.

[@SeansNewWorld]

Thank you for showing the process, always wanted to know how the dies were made. Can you show the machines used for us. Thanks again!

[@metalshaperJeep]

more videos on die making coming in the future, keep watching.

[@tfp777]

Sometimes the closeup shots are difficult to see clearly, you provide very good content though, thanks for sharing.

[@metalshaperJeep]

I am still trying to get someone to do the filming while I am working but still can't locate anyone. Trying to learn the camera better so I can make better videos. Hang in there. Brian

[@paulpepe2131]

Very nice video, how did you keep the panel from curving when you can the beed? Thank You Paul

[@metalshaperJeep]

This was just a sample piece. On the actual piece I prestretch the material in the power hammer before running the bead. No distortion that way.

[@tykellerman6384]

Great skills thanks

[@metalshaperJeep]

Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment. Always appreciated.

[@pierdolio]

The soft focus left me with a head-ache. Please fix this if you can.

[@alex86ajb05]

Thanks for the video. Very informative. Curious about your pullmax setup how you control the speed and what type electric and motor you run?

[@metalshaperJeep]

My pullmax has all the original parts on it. It is a standard 3 phase motor. Speed is controlled by a dial which moves pulleys and a belt to control speed. From super slow to high speed for planishing.

[@gkcooper]

I really appreciate and enjoy your videos. I have watched almost all of them. However, your camera is always out of focus. I know reflective, metallic surfaces are hard for modern optics to auto-focus on. Can you try manually focusing the shots?

[@metalshaperJeep]

working on getting better video shots. Still trying to find someone to hold the camera for me. Tough to work and film at the same time.

[@andrewklie8061]

When making die sets is it possible to mig weld instead of tig welding them?

[@metalshaperJeep]

It is hard to get good penetration when welding such thick steel with mig. Also the area to weld is very small and lack of penetration and weld buildup is why I don't mig them together. It is possible but make sure you have enough amperage to bite in and get things welded solid.

[@andrewklie8061]

@@metalshaperJeep thank you very much. I will be emailing you soon. Great information!

[@tyroneharding142]

I make my dies from 6mm hot rolled plate.

[@TheCramunhao666]

bom

[@metalshaperJeep]

Glad you are following my channel and hope you are enjoying it.