We designed this die to honor one of our most important pollinators.
Honey bees, wild and domestic, perform about 80 percent of all pollination worldwide. A single bee colony can pollinate 300 million flowers each day.
This die has a single honey bee with outstretched wings, a Queen’s crown, and a simple flower surrounded by a heraldic shield border with optional hanging loops.
The image is 27/32" (a little under 7/8") wide and 1-3/64" (a little under 1-1/16") tall. This die is considered 2.5D due to the depth of the engraving. The outside measurements of the die itself are 1-1/2" X 1-1/2" X 1/4" thick.
For 18-gauge and 20-gauge metals:
The die provides an image that stands up on the surface of your copper, silver, or brass. To get a good image with a 20 ton press, it is necessary to lightly oil your die before each use and use a 1-1/4" x 1-1/4" x 1/4" piece of urethane for the first pressing. After the first pressing, use smaller pieces of urethane on any places that need better definition and press again. Continue doing this until you are happy with the pressing. The back of your component will not be flat, so if you prefer a flat back you will need to saw it out with a jeweler's saw and solder it to a backplate. When pressing this die we recommend using a steel pusher as a force tool to focus the pressure of the ram directly on the die along with your urethane to help reveal the details in the lower areas of the engraving. You can get a steel pusher on Potter USA. Here is a link to the pusher.
For 16-gauge metals:
The image is great for making a flat back component for earrings or pendants. To achieve a flat back with this die, do not use urethane or craft foam, instead use a steel pusher to focus the pressure of the ram. You can get a steel pusher on Potter USA. Here is a link to the pusher.
This impression die is made with heat-treated tool steel and is for hydraulic press use only. It will work best with a press that is at least 20-tons. The design can be used for making earrings, pendants, or any other components for your jewelry making needs.
The pressings in our photos were done using 16-gauge copper at 20 tons of pressure. We used dead soft copper and did not need to anneal, but annealing might help if you are not sure if your metal is soft.
Royal Bee Hydraulic Impression Die
Usage
Metal Maven Shallow Hydraulic Press Impression Die Usage Guidelines
These Hydraulic Press Impression Dies are for hydraulic press use only. We tested it with an electric 20-ton hydraulic press and it performed extremely well.
For 18-gauge and 20-gauge metals:
The die provides an image that stands up on the surface of your copper, silver, or brass. To get a good image with a 20 ton press, it is necessary to lightly oil your die before each use and use a 1" x 1" x 1/4" piece of urethane for the first pressing. After the first pressing, use smaller pieces of urethane on any places that need better definition and press again. Continue doing this until you are happy with the pressing. The back of your component will not be flat, so if you prefer a flat back you will need to saw it out with a jeweler's saw and solder it to a backplate. When pressing this die we recommend using a steel pusher as a force tool to focus the pressure of the ram directly on the die along with your urethane to help reveal the details in the lower areas of the engraving. You can get a steel pusher on Potter USA. Here is a link to the pusher.
You can also use 2mm thick craft foam when pressing.
For 16-gauge metals:
The image is great for making a flat back component for earrings or pendants. To achieve a flat back with this die, do not use urethane or craft foam, instead use a steel pusher to focus the pressure of the ram. You can get a steel pusher on Potter USA. Here is a link to the pusher.
Your die will arrive lightly oiled with a lubricant called CorrosionX. It can be found at most auto supply stores. We highly recommend you use it or some kind of machine oil to protect your investment, especially if you live in a humid climate. We use it to keep rust from forming on our steel pieces, dies, rolling mill rollers and other tools. It also helps your silver or copper release from the die.
You can find the craft foam on Amazon - we recommend Darice 2mm Foamie Roll, 36-inch by 60-inch, black, but any type of 2mm craft foam should work.
Return and Refund Policy
Please check the sizes carefully when ordering, as we do not accept returns or exchanges.
Please note that we check the quality of each die carefully before we send them out.
Shipping Info
We offer shipping via USPS. Your shipping options will appear in your shopping cart. Shipping Insurance is included on all orders.
