The plate may be slightly curved when it arrives, and that’s okay! It will not harm your rolling mill, as the plates will curve with use anyway. The metal used for the plate is softer than the rolls of a rolling mill and will not damage them. It is also safe to use in a press.
NOTE: It is possible to use these rolling mill plates with a hydraulic press, but the results won’t be the same as with the rolling mill; we only recommend a rolling mill. If using a press, use a single, small piece of urethane and press multiple times; you'll only be able to get a small section of the design at a time.
About the Collection
"Vincent and I were talking about a new collection of stuff that we were offered. I informed him that we have reached a point where we will never use all of what we have. Vincent explained, "It's not about us dad, it's about preserving history." My kid is an old soul. I spoke with the owner; they scrapped 319 tons of die sets and inventory last week but he has kept the masters and he wants us to check the stuff out. They are from the early 1900s till today. I am not sure at what point we say we have enough but this stuff is different and unique and beautiful beyond words, so we will see what happens." -Kevin Potter
"There are two sides to every story. Today I sat down with a brilliant 89-year-old die maker whose family built one of the largest roll die companies in America over 100 years. They are closing. They are closing because of tarrifs and because manufacturing has left the country. The real loss is the knowledge and the skill; it can not be replaced easily. It is so hard sitting with someone who has tried everything to keep a company going, but despite all the effort, the scales were tipped in favor of someone else by powers beyond their control. We are doing everything we can to learn the methods of production and preserve the art. The saddest part is that right outside the factory is the scrap yards and the freighters loaded with steel that is being shipped overseas. When your whole life's work and that of your whole family is reduced to 9 cents a pound, it is heart wrenching." -Kevin Potter
For more information about the collection, visit our Facebook Group, "Potter People" and search for posts by Kevin and Vincent.
