I think over the years we've all got blisters on our fingers from using Xacto knives to cut out the windows and doors from that tough chipboard. I have been trying to find a tool and die guy to make these punches for me. I do a lot of things but I never learned the art of metallurgy so I needed to find an outside source. After 5 years and talking to twenty three companies, both in person and on line, nobody could help me out! I kept explaining to the potential suppliers that the Japanese where doing this in the 1920s in their small cottage industries and probably were using nothing more than a hammer and a punch. When I did get a price it was anywhere from $79.00 to $102.00 per punch. Ridiculous with our new, modern day technologies and for such a small item. As it turns out I was talking to my neighbor the other day about this dilemma and he asked a couple of questions and asked for some dimensions. One day later he stopped over with these three sample dies. He's such a genius that he figured out that we don't even need a hammer just a cheap drill press a super magnet and a plastic backer. These dies cut so quick, smooth and effortlessly it's a pure joy. I have a meeting with him tonight and we'll see what kind of per piece price he might come up with. We have to keep in mind that there are quite a few sizes that the Japanese used on these houses.

I hope the pictures say thousand words...

OMG!...I'm sitting here scratching my head wondering out loud..."why didn't I think of that?"...and..."why did I give my heavy duty drill press to my son-in-law?"...

pete...congratulations!...again!...first--coconut...now this!...way to go!...

the pictures are worth several thousand words!...at least!...

my very best regards...Howard...

Oh my goodness that is brilliant! Wow!

I bought a set of dies on ebay for less than $20 that look similar to this. I never thought to put them on a drill press though. I love the arch top.

Here's an ebay listing. http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/2217878100 ... =82&chn=ps

Now that's cool.

Great idea.

Be interested in seeing what the prices will be.

Pete, send Maria a sample to try out - her fingers need a break from the Xacto knives!

Love the arched one. They all give a VERY authentic cut.

Keep us posted.

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I talked with my buddy last night and asked him what he was going to charge me per die. He said ask you guys what you'd be willing to spend on per die. The three dies that he made for me are exacting measurement from the originals. You can have any dimension that you wish. Please let me know what you might want to pay per die and remember these are easily sharpened and will last a lifetime. Paul I might just send Maria a set so she can talk them up.

Lucy, order one shaped like Candy Corn.

Interested in those 3 you're showing Pete. Prices please!

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