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Old 01-19-2017, 11:18 AM
John Buchtenkirch John Buchtenkirch is offline
MetalShaper of the Month October 2012
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Glen Cove, Long Island
Posts: 1,675
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gareth Davies View Post
They look to be about 10 degree per side on the dovetail but are obviously offset to allow for the width of the key. From what I've read elsewhere, I saw figure of 1/8" per foot taper with the small side being the left of the anvil (die mount) mentioned. I've read dozens of posts today but the only real figures I can find is that the large Yoder dies are 3" square and that's about it. I'm sure a lot of these features can be made to what suits you but it would be nice to find some original dimensions.
You are correct, the angled dovetail surfaces are 10 degrees from square or 20 degrees from each other. The taper of the dovetail slot in the anvil and the die keys is 1/8” per foot, the dovetails on the dies are machined parallel. Standard dies 3” square or 2 ¼” square but I have many dies that are oddball sizes……… the more important thing IMO is they are all the same height to make changing them out easier. The dove tail slot in the anvil should be about an inch deep while the dovetails on the dies are 7/8" to 15/16” so they don’t bottom out in the slot. That should allow several shims to be placed under the dies to move them closer together.

The photo below is Red’s #2 Pettingell mounted to a Yoder cast base. The carful observer will notice the shims spacing the dies together and also the crank pin is nearly centered for a short stroke. My guess is he was probably using it for aluminum or possibly planishing a panel. By the way there is a section for “power hammers” in metal shaping tools where this thred really belongs. Maybe a narrator will move it. ~ John Buchtenkirch

Red's #2 Pettingell.jpg
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