How Do I Make A Cheap-Ish Imprinting Machine For Big Stamps?

[lightingale]

I've been making coasters as promotional items using a large (2 x 1.5 inch) maker's stamp in the center.

Using a maul is problematic not only for the lack of depth of the large stamp; I also get shadow impressions from smacking it multiple times with the maul.

I looked up the imprinting machine on Tandy, but I'm not willing to drop $450-$500 on a machine whose effects I believe I can duplicate with things from the garage and hardware store.

I admit I'm not the kind of girl who has spent a lot of time in the garage, so I'm looking for your suggestions as to how I can make an imprinting machine on the cheap. Doesn't need to be fancy... I just hope to stop wasting coaster-shaped pieces of leather on shadowy multi-impressions of my maker's stamp :-)

Thanks

[Cyberthrasher]

You're just wanting to use your maker's stamp, right? Just get a shop press (pretty cheap at Harbor Freight), or even use a bench vise since the work you're doing should be small enough to fit.

[Dwight]

This can be made out of a couple of 2 x 4's a couple bolts, and if you have any kind of shop at all, . . . about a half hour of work.

Basically, . . . the brown leather is placed on the mat, . . . the red imprint is made by pushing down on the handle.

It wouldn't take too long to figure out about how much pressure, . . . and once you get that "touch", . . . they should all be pretty much uniform.

Approximate cost: $5

May God bless,

Dwight

Edited January 27, 2013 by Dwight

[WinterBear]

I use a couple of clamps and some lino blocks I had laying around to imprint letterpress blocks.

http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?app=galleryℑ=18247

The pics in my gallery are mostly of the small letterpress cuts, but I've used the same method on letterpress blocks up to 2 inches by 4 inches with good results. But I like Dwight's press better, as it will allow for a more even pressure and would not obscure what you are trying to stamp. (Dwight, I'm gonna steal your idea for Box Scouts/Cub Scouts, if you don't mind. The younger ones don't have enough upper arm strength to give firm blows with a maul for the 3-D stamps they love so much).

[Northmount]

Order a 1 ton arbor press from Busybee. Closest store to you is Ottawa, but you can order online. http://www.busybeetools.com/categories/Metalworking/Arbor-Press/

Using a maul (or mallet) on large stamps results in a bounce that gives double impressions. You can get a dead blow hammer that doesn't bounce. Check Busybee or other tool stores near you.

Tom

[Dwight]

I use a couple of clamps and some lino blocks I had laying around to imprint letterpress blocks.

http://leatherworker...eryℑ=18247

The pics in my gallery are mostly of the small letterpress cuts, but I've used the same method on letterpress blocks up to 2 inches by 4 inches with good results. But I like Dwight's press better, as it will allow for a more even pressure and would not obscure what you are trying to stamp. (Dwight, I'm gonna steal your idea for Box Scouts/Cub Scouts, if you don't mind. The younger ones don't have enough upper arm strength to give firm blows with a maul for the 3-D stamps they love so much).

Just holler if you need a more detailed diagram.

May God bless,

Dwight

[EmbossingDieCompany]

I use both a table top vice (that I bought at Harbor Freight for $20) or a 1 ton arbor press (currently on sale at Harbor Freight until the end of the month for $38 with coupon). Coasters should be no problem whatsoever with either one. Here are pictures of some larger plates I did with the vice.