Thread: How to make Bullseye Washers?

I recently purchased a doming and dapping set to create these types of washers, but was rather unsuccessful on my first attempt.

Can anybody lead me in the right direction on how to make these bullseye washers, similar to what are found on the older Wade & Butchers?

Thanks!

http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...ass-inlay.html

Have fun there, BTW asking questions on that thread probably will not do much good as Vald hasn't been around for a long time now... One of the true greats though...

I don't know for certain, but I would imagine you must be able to buy single piece bullseyes washers. The vintage ones are not stacked, as they appear, but you might also be able to stack washers for a similar look.

Holli is right I saw some for sale that were turned on a mini-jeweler's lathe check the EU sites I wanna say I saw them there...

Can't help with making them, but i think this is the fella that Glen's thinking of.
He sells on the bay too, as rose789pipo. Nothing up today, but he usually has some very nice stuff.
Even if you don't buy, he may be able to help. Was very friendly when i contacted him.

Those are the ones !!!! TY Ben

Thanks Ben, I'll keep that contact in mind.

I really would like to be able to make the washers myself using the doming and dapping set. I was fooling around with it last night, and was actually getting pretty close, but no cigar yet...!

I'm thinking about seeing if I can make a tooling die that will punch them out. I've got some ideas on how to make it pretty simple and straightforward, but I've got to find a little time to play with it. I'll let you guys know how the project turns out.

Originally Posted by PapaBull

I'm thinking about seeing if I can make a tooling die that will punch them out. I've got some ideas on how to make it pretty simple and straightforward, but I've got to find a little time to play with it. I'll let you guys know how the project turns out.

I've got a pretty simple idea in mind as well, but I also need to find some time to play with it.

it will be interesting to see how our plans differ when we both get around to putting it together.

I have had success in the past making washers by taking a spade bit (cobalt is perfect for this) and grinding away the center to 1/16" for the pin hole and then grinding it away on the side to form a cutter. It looked something like an "r" on the bottom with the vertical line of the r being a centerpoint for the drill and the branch of the "r" extending down a bit to form the "tooth" that cuts the disk. So in one motion, it punched the center and cut the washer. That's the cheapest and easiest do-it-yourself way.

The only problem is that if you don't start with a HSS or Cobalt bit, then you have to make sure you do any of your grinding slowly enough to keep the temperature of the bit down to prevent ruining it. When you've got it right, it'lll pop out really nice looking washers as fast as you can move the sheet and pull the drill press lever.

Maybe this image will help explain it. It's best to start with a bit that's about the right size to minimize the grinding work. And it's best to take it easy and don't rush the grinding. Take multiple test punches until you've got the inner hole sized right and the diameter sized right... And by the way... you don't need both sides of the cutter, either. You can grind one half of it completely away to the point it works just fine and keeps you from having to synchronize the right and left side cutting width.

Use a block of wood to support the brass when cutting. And brass cuts MUCH better than nickel silver this way.



My other idea is a good bit more complicated to make.