Introduction: Metal Embossing (cool Ornaments)
Step 1: What You Will Need
20 ton press
card stock paper
scotch tape
pencil
16 gage wire (galvanized steel)
22 gage sheet metal (steel)
Step 2: Make Pattern
Cut out a 6 inch x 6 inch card stock that will be used to tape your design onto.
Step 3: Draw a 1" Boarder Around Card Stock
Draw a 1inch boarder around the 6 inch x 6 inch card stock material.
Step 4: Draw Your Design in the Middle Box.
Try to keep the size of your design limited to the middle box. Keep your design simple. Have your instructor approve your design.
Step 5: Add 16 Gage Wire
Bend the 16 gage wire to the shape of your design. You may want to use forming pliers or needle nose pliers to help bend the wire. You can bend the wire around just about anything that will help you achieve the shape you want for your design.
Step 6: Tape Down Wire
Use scotch tape to tape down the wire design.
Step 7: Begin to Press
Set finished pattern on the press.
Step 8: Insert 22 Gage Sheet Metal
Set the 22 gage 6 inch x 6 inch piece of sheet metal on top of your pattern.
Step 9: Insert Rubber Pad
Set the 1inch red rubber pad onto the sheet metal.
Step 10: Pump the Lever on the Press Up and Down
Make sure that the pressure valve is turned clockwise until it is closed. Pump until the gauge reads 6,000 lbs. of pressure or until it gets hard to pump.
Step 11: That's It, You're Finished!
File all corners with a single cut file until they are rounded. Sand the corners, front and back surface with 220 sand paper. You can put a finish of your choice such as paint, rusting solution, or a clear coat to protect your project. Drill a hole in it the top and you can hang it up to show all of your friends your cool personalized metal emboss.
This Instructable was created by and for Hyde Middle School students for instructional aid during their Metal Shop classes.
50 Comments
13 years ago on Introduction
ha what are the odds of someone having a 20 ton press?!?!
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
Very good, actually. maybe not 20 tons, but your car jack (and car) can be jury rigged to do this same thing.
Reply 7 months ago
Isn't there anything more accessible than a car & car jack, or a 20-ton press?
Question 7 months ago on Introduction
Where can I find an accessible substitute for a 20-ton hydraulic press?
8 years ago on Introduction
This is fantastic. Can you tell me where to buy the rubber pad? Thank you so much for posting this! By seeing this, you've put this into my eyesight that I haven't seen before.
8 years ago on Introduction
Do you know of a supplier for the 1" rubber pad ?
9 years ago on Introduction
I was looking for something like this i have never imagine to use something so simple like a wire with that nice finish Thanks for sharing
10 years ago on Step 9
hello
I plan to make a press and I don't have any rubber pad so can I use a block of wood instead?
11 years ago on Introduction
If you don't have a hydraulic press, but would like to do something similar, you can use soda cans that you have opened and flattened, and work on them with clay tools, as you back the piece with foam core. The edges are EXTREMELY sharp, and don't fold easily, but I made a piece and attached it to a driftwood frame after "pewtering" it with black acrylic paint. It was really pretty.
13 years ago on Introduction
Great stuff.
I'd like to try that with the pressing wire made into a name.
I don't have a press but I'm thinking that if I leave it under my cars tire overnight it might do the trick.
13 years ago on Introduction
nice i like metal most of elective ever//././/./
13 years ago on Introduction
What type of rusting solution would you use? And a top coat - what is appropriate for a metal topcoat finish? Thanks and GREAT Instructable - I will look for more from you!
14 years ago on Step 11
Great job. Very helpful.
15 years ago on Step 11
I think that this Instructable was very detailed and thorough. I particularly liked how each step was short and easy to follow. This Instructable is very clear and easy to use but it would be nice if you also included how to spray paint your project. People would probably want to know about the back and forth motion as well as who to clean up runs and sand down your project. Most people probably don't have a 20,000 pound press in their house but I still think this was a very constructive and informative Instructable.
15 years ago on Step 1
i like how easy and simple the directions were. easy to follow and understand how to press a project.
15 years ago on Introduction
it looks cool and it's actually cool too!!! I've done it in class, it was AWESOME! and it's useful too! like you can do it on lots of things!
15 years ago on Introduction
Wow! That looks awesome! I wish I had a hydraulic press in my school..... Perhaps I'll have to try and make a pseudo-press using a really heavy thing (like a dumpster?) and a car jack!
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
I suspect you could weld or bolt together some steel channel as a frame, and create enough pressure with a bottle jack -- sort of like a bearing press. Wouldn't have the nifty pressure gauge, so making exact duplicates wouldn't be easy, but .... it's possibly a cheap alternative to the big-money equipment. Would still need some substantial chunks of metal for the plates, and some hard rubber, but most of that stuff should be scroungable. An old book press (with a screw-type press plate) might suffice for doing softer metal pressings, like copper or brass. I used to have one I picked up at an auction for 50 bucks, and I could press some really neat designs into paper and soft wood.
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
i dont think u could use a dumpster O_O
15 years ago on Introduction
This instructable was really cool! I already did a press project, but to be honest, i think i should have watched this video the first time around. it was very descriptive and super easy to understand. it had some useful tips i wish i knew i about, because here i was struggling to make the Deathly Hallows sign, and trying to get the circle part round with NEEDLE NOSE PLIERS, when i could have just checked this out and used some tips like USE OTHER THINGS IN THE SHOP TO HELP YOU =). It was a spectacular, neat video, and it is going to help a lot of people on their press projects, Mr. Nolte, including me i bet. Now that i saw this video, it's making me feel like i should make another press project after the ring... hmm... anyway, i really hope we win that laser cutter! Good Luck!