Chinese Carbide Dies may be Hit by Tariffs

It has been a very interesting year in the tool and die trade. Just today the US government responded to recent Chinese tariff threats with a new list of of 1800 items that may have a 25% duty placed on them. Of interest to us, on page 36 of the 45 page document the items at the bottom of this article were  found by our crack team of highly paid researchers.

This sounds like some protection for the tool and die trade, carbide die manufacturers and die makers. Hopefully this will help the sector, but it could lead to higher costs for other manufacturers that use these types of tooling. How do you think this will affect our industry? Is this the next stage in a trade war?

US manufactured Carbide Die

84629940 ........... Machine tools (including nonhydraulic presses) for working metal or metal carbides, nesi, numerically controlled
84629980 ........... Machine tools (including nonhydraulic presses) for working metal or metal carbides, nesi, not numerically controlled
84631000 ........... Draw-benches for bars, tubes, profiles, wire or the like, for working metal or cermets, without removing material
84632000 ........... Thread rolling machines for working metal or cermets, without removing material 84633000 ........... Machines for working wire of metal or cermets, without removing material 84639000 ........... Machine tools for working metal or cermets, without removing material, nesoi 84642001 ........... Grinding or polishing machines for working stone, ceramics, concrete, asbestoscement or like mineral materials, or glass, nesi
84649001 ........... Machine tools for working stone, ceramics, concrete, asbestos-cement or like mineral materials or for cold working glass, nesoi
84651000 ........... Machines for working certain hard materials which can carry out different types of machining operations w/o tool change between operations

(Source: https://ustr.gov/sites/default/files/files/Press/Releases/301FRN.pdf)

Carbide Die Holiday Ideas

Are you trying to think of some ideas for what to get that carbide die maker for the holidays? Do you want your wife to wear a shirt proclaiming her love for tool and die? Here's some cool gift ideas you can find on the web. Just search for carbide die Christmas / holiday or tool and die gifts.

Actually, only one person should get this as a gift. There can only be one.

Form fitting too! 

"Trust Me"

Probably the funniest on this list!

Santa is a tool and die maker FYI!

Thank you everyone and enjoy the holidays from the Carbide Die Blog!

Carbide Die Blog Shop Humor

Welcome to yet another installment of Carbide Die Blog tool and die humor... We are going to take aim at our overseas competition today in a light hearted look at a few things.

But, wait Carbide Die Blog, what if I want to spend less money and Chin..a is to expensive? Where could I get something manufactured for dirt cheap.

Well you should try Chin B.


of course errors slip by, so here's a sign for the season..

*cemetery!!!

You had one job!!!

Here's what happens when manufacturing instructions get taken a little to literally.

and finally.... a little note about safety.

Remember: Sometimes a little hazard analysis can save an empire and help continue your rule over the galaxy!

Thanks for visiting the Carbide Dies Blog!

Machining and Tool and Die 2017

Happy New Years fellow machinists, machine lovers, tool and die workers, carbide die makers and people that don't really love machining but work in the industry! Also, happy new years to that guy that makes candle sticks in his garage with a 1943 lathe! OK, let's calm down. To celebrate I'm doing yet another installment of machining gifs and videos. This eye candy will get everyone going ;)  Just click the video to play.

How metal chips are born

Beautiful Finnish!

Wire Forming

Finally, the worlds biggest 3D printed part.

Have a great 2017!

Beauty of Carbide Dies and Tool and Die

Machining can be a beautiful thing at times, it is an act of creation after all. The birth of an object from it's raw materials. Sometimes it takes slowing the action down to capture the amazing life in side of carbide die making and tool and die in general. Here's some videos of cutting, shaping and forming for you tool heads!

Die Maker Life

.

When you're out of tolerance, every industrial die maker knows this feeling! The job was done quickly, but then the inspection squad comes in and .... ugh..

Grinding

Tool and Die Fact #1

A machinist

Tool and Die Fact #2

Tool and Die: Where this might actually be said.

Tool and Die - A beautiful video...

Some times our trade can be beautiful and satisfying. After all, in tool and die we make things, and creation is beautiful... usually. (birth is often considered an exception;)

So, enjoy a little tool and die... action!!!

How to become a Die Maker

When it comes to metalworking trades tool and die makers are at the top. They are extremely versatile with their hands for creating parts, as well as with machines to produce high precision parts. Their abilities go beyond that of the average machinist. They are capable of designing and fabricating tools with no supervision. With these skills available, tool and die makers are a tremendous asset in any manufacturing facility.

Steps to become a Die Maker Step 1
1. Master basic math. Understand addition, subtraction, and division. Knowing some shop trigonometry is good for calculating bolt circles and finding the length of triangles. Basic algebra can also be handy for applying handbook formulas

Become a Die Maker Step 2
2. Learn computer drafting. Vocational and technical schools' machining programs are a good place to learn these types of skills. Learn to create and interpret mechanical drawings.

Become a Die Maker Step 3
3. Enter an apprenticeship program at a tool and die shop while in high school, if possible. Apprentices do simple tasks such as drilling, de-burring, and sweeping in the beginning. Tasks will become more challenging as time goes on. Apprentices learn the lathe, mill and surface grinder. Apprenticeships typically last 2 to 4 years.

Become a Tool and Die Maker Step 4
4. Study machine tool technology at a good vocational trade school. Programs vary from school to school so make sure you are studying at one that has various machines to learn from, such as a wire EDM (electrostatic discharge machining) tool. Also, make sure they have good CNC (computer numerically controlled) programming courses, as this will make things easier later in your career. Try to get hands-on experience in a shop as well, rather than studying strictly in a classroom. The heart of your education will be in the types of projects you will be making in the course. A typical machine tool technology program will last two years.

Become a Die Maker Step 5
5. Get a copy of the Machinery Handbook and refer to it often. This is an excellent reference for answering any machining problem.

Become a Tool and Die Maker Step 6
6. Buy a set of good high quality precision tools like 1-2-3 inch micrometers, and a square set, along with a 7- or 11-drawer machinists toolbox. An electronic caliper is a plus also. Try to stay away from generic tools because these seem to be less durable. Instead, invest in high quality tools like Starrett and Mitutoyo, top names in the trade. If money is tight, obtain tools gradually, as you need them, over time, until you have your own set. Get the ones you need most first.

Become a Die Maker Step 7
7. Once you land a job, focus on gaining experience. Learn from veteran tool and die makers. They can and often will share many tips they have learned over the years.

Become a Die Maker Step 8
8. Talk with other tool and die makers on the Internet in various discussion forums especially concerning CNC programming. Learning from those who have done it for years is the best way to help your career.

Become a Die Maker Step 9
9. Read metalworking trade publications in your spare time. Leave trade magazines in your bathroom.

Become a Die Maker Step 10
10. If you want to further your career in the tool and die trade, you may want to move into supervision or teaching. A Bachelor's degree in almost any field along with tool and die experience can be very beneficial in obtaining a supervisor's job in manufacturing and/or teaching.

Tool & Die Life

As we all know, tool and die can be frustrating at times. Late parts, people freaking out about machines being down. These are called Yelling Plants. People spend there time screaming about how tens of thousands of dollars are being lost because a certain die isn't here. So relax for a second and enjoy...

 "Tis not our job to ask why, tis our job to tool and die"

Also, check out the tool and die quotes

Carbide Die Industry

"It is not your job to ask why, it is your job to tool and die."

After working in the carbide die industry for some time you start to wonder.... I have seen people eat a sandwich with hands not much cleaner than the ones in this picture. Are there any negative effects I should be worried about? It turns out that after working for ten or more years in tool and die (according to a study done in France) you do have an elevated chance of cancer. This is only a slight increase though, no where near as bad as cancer. The people that were most effected were those who worked with tungsten carbide before it is sintered.  So basically the people who make the preforms, not necessarily those that grind the carbide dies and tooling into its final form.

I'm not a carbide scientist so don't take me to court about this but I'm just providing some food for thought. There is a good reason to have good ventilation and cleaning in a carbide die and tooling facility. I'm not sure a mask is need (I have heard of old timers that wore masks) but maybe having a dust collector isn't a bad idea.

Also, don't drink the coolant!

Tool and Die Quotes and Sayings

Machinists are famous for making everything we use or the parts that make the things we use... but only slightly less know for their quotes and colorful phrases.  Terms like screw, tailstock, ball, butt and nuts are common. So here are some of the quotes that have come out of the tool and die trade, enjoy!

A machinist is a man that washes his hands before and after he pees.

Last week I couldn't spell Machinist now I are one!

"Machinist's do it accurately"

Machinists do it "round and round" and "up and down.

"Happiness is a good tight screw".

Your car cost $40,000, So What, My machine cost $150,000 and it will make car parts.

If you Break it We can Make.

I worked my whole life as a Machinist, and all I got was Dead Nuts!

May the laws of physics be with you

You can always tell a good Master machinist, They still have all of there fingers!

It can be done three ways:
           GOOD
           FAST
           CHEAP
You only get to pick two of the three
If it is done GOOD and FAST it can't be CHEAP.
If it is done GOOD and CHEAP it can't be FAST.
IF it is done FAST and CHEAP it can't be GOOD.

"He who does not specify what he wants, deserves what he gets."

MINE IS NOT TO ASK WHY
MINE IS JUST TO TOOL AND DIE !

I am a Machinist. My ability to create is limited only by you inability to envision.

GOD must've been a Machinist with a killer piece of stock.

I am a Machinist. I didn't envision, plan, or design this part. But if you leave me alone long enough, I'll make it work.

The Hindenburg and the Titanic. Don't blame the Machinists. We just make whatever the Enigneers design.

Historic Machine Shop

If anyone who is interested in machining gets a chance they should visit Greenfield Village in Dearborn, Michigan. There is a historic machine shop located here, it is called the Armington & Sims Machine Shop & Foundry. You can see how it was done in the old days! Powered by a steam engine (I'm not sure if they still use steam power for the engine) poles run along the top of the machine shop. Belts drop down from these poles to power all the wonderful old machines. You can see some of the same names we use today on these machines, I particularly enjoyed watching an old 1908 Brown & Sharpe No. 2 make a candle stick.

Another neat thing about the shop, particularly in the fall, is the layout. The machine shop is laid out like a cathedral to industry. Large windows flank a long building layout, although they aren't stained glass! During the cool fall day I visited a nice breeze blew threw and it was very comfortable and well lit, both very important for machine shops.

So if your in the Detroit area and interested in tool and die or machining then stop by Greenfield Village and see for yourself. Admission is about $35 dollars though, so you better like the other things they have there, and there's plenty to choose from!

Carbide Tooling

Carbide tooling is necessary for any cold forming, cold heading or extrusion process. Basically carbide tooling consists of anything that assists in the forming process besides the carbide dies. They are used to pound slugs into dies, cut off wires at set lengths and anything else that requires a durable part that can stand up to the punishing action of cold forming and heading. Tungsten carbide is used for this kind of tooling due to its extreme hardness and durability. In fact carbide tooling last four times longer than comparable steel tooling and this means less down time for machines and changing tooling out less frequently. In the long (or short) run, this means greater efficiency and profit.

A commonly used example of carbide tooling is a punch. Carbide punches have the punishing task of being slammed into metal slugs with enough force to cause them to form to the shape of a carbide die. Obviously this is one area where you don’t want to employ a weaker part! Think of carbide punches like the head of a hammer.

Another place where you will find carbide tooling used in the cold forming process is at the other end of carbide dies. Wire is created by forcing material through a drawing die, once through the draw die a piece of carbide tooling called a cut-off knife is used to cut the wire to length. Carbide cut-off knives can be employed anywhere where tough cuts are needed, and cutting wire will dull any edge quickly so once again carbide is used do to its hardness.

Carbide tooling obviously wears down during usage and eventually has to be replaced. How long it lasts depends on how much pressure the tools are under and the material they are being used to form. Cold forming steal will wear out tooling at a much faster rate than cold forming copper for example. Companies can often save money by sending their tooling to carbide die companies to be reworked. This will extend the life of the carbide tooling and it’s a lot cheaper then replacing tools every time they wear out.

Here’s a list of examples of carbide tooling.

• Nibs• Cut-Off Knives• Mandrels• Punches• Quills• Inserts• Annular Rings• Bushings
• Bearings• Shafts