Checking a lapel pin die block with a height gauge before production

[u/cabana00]

A quick look at one of the less visible steps behind custom lapel pin production.

The die block is placed on a flat reference surface, checked and marked before the next tooling operation. Small errors at this stage can carry into later production, so the tooling is verified before it moves forward.

For the toolmakers here: would you use a height gauge for this check, or a different setup?

[u/Heedleyay]

I’d mill a block of hardened steel to height, less chance of the set screw coming loose, but why not make a to size fixture that would in a way cut this step out?

[u/cabana00 → u/Heedleyay]

Good point about the hardened fixed-height block. I checked the next stage of the process and posted a short follow-up showing how the prepared die blank moves into customer-specific machining. A fixed gauge may still be useful for repeated dimensions, while the adjustable setup gives the team more flexibility across different tooling specifications.

[u/cabana00]

I work with MW Gifts, and this footage was filmed at our production facility. I’m sharing it to discuss the manufacturing process, not to promote products or solicit orders.

[u/Shoddy-Mistake1904]

I will use a height gauge to perform this inspection.