Picked up the tool today, pretty slick bit of work. Fits the cambion press, closely mimics the 1715 tool (was free-handed though I think, it's slightly different), and didn't cost a ton. Unfortunately I'm still having issues with bad swages. I'm guessing it's an issue with the eyelet being off-center with respect to the center line of the punch? I've attached a picture below to see if anyone knows what would cause this. I just lowered the press until I felt a little bit of give, then removed the eyelet. I've had this sort of issue with everything I've tried so far. Hand-tapping with hammer, using the arbor press with the screwy tool hole, using the big arbor press without the hole and manually holding the tool, etc. Oddly enough I was able to get some nice looking swages by using a center punch to flare the eyelet shank using the arbor press to apply pressure, then using the arbor press ram to flatten the flare outwards, then flaring, then flattening, etc. It seems like a symmetric flare is key to a good swage. Anyhow, picture:
I'm reasonably certain that the tool itself is secure in the cambion press, but I could always check again and probably should.
Thanks for any input.
I'm reasonably certain that the tool itself is secure in the cambion press, but I could always check again and probably should.
Thanks for any input.


