How to Use a Disc Cutter

Circles are common shapes in art jewelry. They are needed to make domes and they are often used to create charms. While it is easy to cut out a circle using a jewelry saw, a disc cutter (also called a punch and die set) will make the job faster and easier. In this tutorial, you will learn how to use a disc cutter to create circular disks made out of sterling silver, fine silver, gold, copper, brass or other non-ferrous metal.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• disc cutter (also called a punch and die set)
• sheet metal made of sterling silver, fine silver, gold, gold-fill, copper, brass or other non-ferrous metal
• mallet or hammer

1. 
    

   Assemble your tools and materials. Decide what size circle you would like to cut. In this tool, there are only five sizes of circles that can be cut; other tools, however, allow you to cut a greater variety.

2. 
    

   Place the sheet metal into the disk cutter.

3. 
    

   Fit the punch into the hole for the size circle you would like to cut. In this photo, we used a 1 inch punch. Hit the punch with a hammer.

4. 
    

   The disk is now ready to be filed, sanded and otherwise prepared for jewelry fabrication.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to strike the center of the punch. Take care to use one heavy, even stroke. Multiple strokes may result in damage to the disk.
• Disc cutters are available from jewelry supply houses. They are also sold at many hardware stores as a punch and die set.
• Note that some tools are designed to cut metric sizes and others cut in increments of inches.
• To protect your tool, it is best to use a brass hammer or lead weighted raw hide mallet when you hit the punch. If you hit the tool with a hammer or mallet that is softer than the tool and the cutter will last longer.
• Watch fingers when working with hammers.
• Be aware that the disks may be sharp when you remove them from the disk cutter. They will need to be filed and sanded smooth.

Resources

• GeltDesigns
• How to Use a Jewelry Saw
• How to Use Sand Paper
• How to Transfer a Design
• How to Drill
• How to Pierce Metal When Fabricating Jewelry
• How Use Renaissance Wax
• How to Protect Your Patina

[jamaclassics]

on 3/2/2009 Good pix and step by step directions for cutting sheet metal with a disc cutter.