WHAT DOES THE FINISHING LATHE DO

[wavysteps2003]

Recently I mentioned the finishing lathe and the part it played in the making of a working die. Sometimes it is hard to grab a concept by words alone so here is a picture that may help you understand what is going on.

This is a picture of an unfinished 2004 Peace Nickel reverse working die.



The first thing that I would like to point out are the keys, indicated by white arrows. These keys were impressed into the working die by the working hub and used to line the hub up to the die in case a second hubbing was needed. Odd that these are still around since the single squeeze method is now in use. Could it be that some working dies still require a second hubbing even when they have been single sqeezed? Well anyway, these keys were the alignment points used when a working die was hubbed a second or third or etc. time. If the keys became worn or the slots that they fit into had some give, you ended up with a doubled die.

The out side diameter of the unfinished working die is indicate by the red arrows. Now is the time for the finishing lathe and all the material, indicated by the blue arrows, is taken away, giving the working die an appearance simalar to a 30-06 shell casing. The green arrows indicate the diameter of the finished die.

You will notice that the keys are now gone and that the finished shape will prevent the dies from moving around in the coin press. This fit is much like a high calibre shell being put into a firing chamber.

I hope this helps you see the function of the finishing lathe a bit better.

WAVYSTEPS2003 aka BJ Neff

[walkingdude]

Wavy,
that really helps but I wish we could buy the used dies without them being completely erased, something like copy in big letters on the dies or to that effect. I know someone would cheat and make thier own money but I'm talking about the penny dies.

You can also read about what you posted in the "Error Coin Encylopedia", it has a lot of interesting photos and goes from start to finish making coins and different errors and how they happen.

[Dick]

BJ, that was a nice presentation.
Mike, that is referred to as the "Plaid book"! I read mine from cover-to-cover, when it came. I'm looking forward to the reading of my book from CD. Nothing like a good Reference Library! Nothing like being informed. Dick

[walkingdude]

Right, I forgot about the "Plaid".
I've been reading through it as I have time, Chuck's I do the same but mainly use his as a reference book becuase its about pennies only and what to look for.