Another Question & Answer

My name is JR out of the Bronx, NY and I want to thank you for your book “Start Your Own Small Jigsaw Puzzle Business”. I bought the book off of Amazon and it was clear, direct, informative and motivating. I had done some research this entire year on creating jigsaws but I was always confused on the equipment, process and materials needed. But your book made it more realistic to go through with my small business. I have a few questions:
 
1) Is there a direct link to the machine you bought? I went to the website to look for it but wasn’t certain the roller pressers on their website were the ones that you use. 
 
2) is it possible to create a thousand piece puzzle using a 500 piece die twice? 
 
Thank you once again. 
 
JR
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Answer:
 Hello JR out of Bronx,
 
Thanks for buying my book and thanks for the comments.   Die Cutters Inc. has dropped their 15 inch roller press.  I don't think they had sufficient demand; it was the smallest press in their inventory at the time I bought it (~2014).  At the time, they also offered puzzle dies (I bought two--100 pieces and 252 pieces) but I see they no longer offer dies either. 
 
However, based on your second question, the 15 inch roller press wouldn't work for you anyway.  A 500 pieces or 1000 pieces puzzle would be too wide for a 15 inch press.  I only cut 100 pieces and 252 pieces puzzles. The dies are only about 12 inches wide and the 15 inch press works well.
 
No, you won't be able to cut a 1000 pieces puzzle with a 500 pieces dies; there really isn't a way (to my knowledge) to run the 500 pieces die twice through the press. A 1000 pieces puzzle will require a 1000 pieces die.  Be prepared for sticker shock--a 500 pieces or 1000 pieces die will cost a lot, likely over $5K++.   
 
My recommendation is to decide what size puzzles and piece counts you want to make. This will isolate the die and press size.  Dies can be ordered via Alibaba (China) or from India.  The dies I got from Die Cutters Inc. came from China and they're OK dies; I have cut over 4000 puzzles using the 252 pieces die and it's still working.  There is also a guy in Indiana (website is in the book) that makes custom dies but I'm sure his dies are much more expensive than those made in China or India.  
 
Here is what I recommend.  I found this website for a company in Valley Cottage, NY -- right up the road.  There are several presses on their website that will no-doubt work with a puzzle die.  https://plastimach.com/product-category/trim-press-diecut/roller-die-cutter/
 
You might want to research puzzle dies that will cut 500 and 1000 pieces and see how wide they are.  Then visit the company and tell them what you want to do and tell them the die width. They'll be able to tell you which presses will work; which one will have enough clearance on each side to accommodate the die. 
 
The nice thing about a wider press is you also might be able to get your own box die.  This would allow you to cut your boxes for packaging in addition to cutting your puzzles.
 
I hope this helps.  Yes, there is a lot of information to digest.
 
Regards,
 
Kevin