Billy Hell

Links?

Big fan of Will but he doesn't take paypal and charges $10 for shipping.

On the hunt for the Will Ghormley Cheyenne holster pattern pack. If you have the patterns for sale I have the Paypal!

How's that 4423 working out? I have a Cowboy 3200 but need something for light leather.

I talked myself out of the laser and purchased some number and letter stamps. I utilized my ceramic blade for a nice line and came out with these...

No laser, just stamps and a ceramic blade. WHOOPS, wrong thread. I'll put this in my original thread. Carry on with your laser discussion. Anxious to see how it goes.

Here is what I did with my leather tools...

Here is an experiment with safety glasses. I'm adding it the thread so you have info on potential damage and why laser safety glasses are worth the investment.

Need to make sure the unit is grounded properly. This is true with all modern electronics. TV, stereos, washing machines. Not sure why this is singled out. It has been shown that some of these unit will shock you and you need to ground it. Not something I usually deal with except in my old guitar amps. Provided water pump could be dangerous. Again, why? Dangerous to use like a dishwasher, fish tank, water heater? Some of the provided pumps allow electricity to seep into the water and users have received a shock when checking water temp. Be aware. Software is dicey. No real answer here but is runs on Corel Draw. Massively popular software. I'm a Mac guy. I do have a PC and some of these come with Corel and some don't. Only runs on Windows machines. I've read that cutting leather is really smelly. Very. Use the exhaust fan and vent outside. This is one of my main concerns since everyone in the house might have an issue with it. Lasers can blind you. If you could get your head into the machine and look at it as it runs you would be in a bad way. I don't think this is possible. I'm not too concerned but I saw a guy on Youtube using a mirror on a stick to see if the laser was cutting through. All I could think was, "STOP!!" My main concern with the machine is really only long term durability and the learning curve on how to draw. I'm a user of Photoshop and pretty good with Illustrator. I'm hoping I can do the majority of work on my Mac and then import it into Corel.

Laser videos:

I started this new thread...

I am a maker of belts, holsters, wallets, etc. I hand tool everything I make. I have a Cowboy 3200 to handle most of my stitching. I had a friend request and interesting concept for some wallets to give as prizes at an air show aerobatics competition. It was suggested I use a laser for the precise map like cuts. I had look at a laser in the past but the cost was too much for a night time maker like me. electrathon pasted a link to a chinese 40 watt laster that is around $330. Since then I have been doing as much research on this as possible. I have the money but want to make sure I'm making the right decision. PROS The entry price is doable. A 40w machine can do almost anything I need to leather. Things that can be done - engrave, cut, make stitching holes (not needed for me but good for other makers), and more. CONS Wiring usually needs to be gone through. Need to make sure the unit is grounded properly. Provided water pump could be dangerous. Software is dicey. Only runs on Windows machines. I've read that cutting leather is really smelly. Lasers can blind you. MY POSSIBLE USES Cut out holsters and pieces cleanly and perfectly with laser. Create templates so the laser could burn in some very cool nuances that I would tool around. Try new things on notebook covers and wallets (design in Photoshop and then burn on). Learn the machine and then create things I have yet to think of. QUESTIONS Can I create my designs on my Mac and then import them into the Windows software? With the provided fan can I get most of the bad smell outside? Does anyone on Leatherworker use one of these units? Is it better to purchase from one seller over the other? If so who? Should I spend $100 to buy from Amazon? (Cheaper on eBay). I'm pretty close to just pulling the trigger and taking the plunge. I would really like to hear from someone like me that already has done this. My biggest question is if the Chinese laser is worth the hassle. Links to the units I'm describing: Amazon (the beauty here is that you can return it) $427.99 https://www.amazon.com/Engraving-Machine-Engraver-Cutter-Exhaust/dp/B01AJGFS7Y/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1497892156&sr=8-4&keywords=laser+engraver Ebay Cheapest (This unit has minimal controls) $318 with shipping I have to think there is no returning what you get. http://www.ebay.com/itm/High-Precise-40W-CO2-USB-Laser-Engraving-Cutting-Machine-Engraver-Wood-Cutter-/200902245694?hash=item2ec6b4fd3e:g:fsUAAOSwFdtX146J Ebay Upgrade (This appears to have a better control panel) $387 http://www.ebay.com/itm/40W-USB-Port-CO2-Laser-Engraving-Cutting-Machine-Engraver-Cutter-W-Wheels-/152106266467?hash=item236a3d6f63:g:E-MAAOSwyltZQz1o POST Please post your thoughts, your research or your experience with these machines.

That was my second thought and I have a bunch. Thanks! I will be looking into a laser now too. Thanks for the quick reply.

I think I'm back to tooling this leather. Any thoughts on a dotted line stamp?

Here is 3.5x3.5: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071JNWFDR?psc=1