jmuir

Mike: Are you using magnesium dies? I am using mag dies and a t shirt press to try and get the same you as your pouches (very nice design!). The logo turns out ok depending on the leather but not as clean as yours. I also wonder if I'm using the correct specs when sending the logo to the die maker. John Muir

Perfect timing for your video! I tried binding two straps manually and it was a nightmare. I have a Sailrite machine and just found out I can buy a binder fixture for it. Should make my life much easier. Thanks, John Muir Perfect timing for your video! I tried binding a strap manually and it was a nightmare. I have a Sailrite machine and just found out I can buy a binder fixture for it. Should make my life much easier. Thanks, John Muir

Thanks for the reply, Alex. I bought the punch at Springfield and it was one of their more expensive punches (about $40 at their wholesale pricing). There is a Tandy store about an hour from me. I drove to Tandy to buy a rawhide mallet as others have suggested but I first wanted to try the Springfield punch that I purchased with a proper mallet and base to narrow down what the problem was (it's the punch). I will follow your advice, probably best to return and get another punch. Also will learn how to sharpen/maintain. John

Quick follow up. I took the oblong punch to the local Tandy leather store and they tried it with their rawhide punch and thick solid base that they use and it wouldn't cut the leather so it looks like the punch was the culprit (though I still plan on buying a good mallet). Now the decision is if it's worth it to return for a different (hopefully sharp) punch or if I should buy a stone and learn how to sharpen the one I have. Found this video on sharpening oblong punch and other leather tools. https://youtu.be/UuSuFZz9b40 John

Thanks for the advice, all. Tom G, I'm not too far from Augusta and there's a Harbor freight there. The new punch was really dull, basically no edge. I think sharpening (along with the correct hammer/more solid base) it will solve my problem. I'm using the great guitar strap pattern posted at leatherworker.net, thanks for that! I'm helping my son with an art project. I'm cutting the guitar straps and he's doing the art. I really appreciate the site, it's a great resource and I've used quite a few of the sponsors (Tippmann, Springfield, Texas Custom Dies). I have been very happy with their service. John

Hi: I'm having trouble punching an oblong hole with a new punch I bought. It's a heavy duty (about $50) 1.5" oblong punch. I used a 1" steel plate on my workbench with a cutting board to protect the punch. I didn't have a rawhide or poly mallet so I used a rubber mallet. I remembered to take off the plastic protector surrounding the blade. I'm trying to go thru 6/7 oz Hermann Oak leather (making a guitar strap). The oblong punch won't cut through the leather even after a dozen or so strikes. The blade on the oblong punch does not seem very sharp, but I'm not certain how sharp it should be to cut. I can run my thumb along the blade and it's quite dull. I punched two holes with a round drive punch using this setup, no problem. The company I bought the punch from suggested that I needed a more solid foundation than the 1" steel plate/cutting board combo (suggested marble or a wood slab) and that the rubber mallet is a no-no. They suggested a raw hide/poly mallet should help matters. Does this sound like a problem with the punch blades or do you think the new mallet/wood base will be the solution? Thanks, John

Thanks Dwight and Cyberthrasher. This backing material that I've seen that works to give the numbers support is sort of like a thin cardboard egg carton material with some sort of fiber/texture to it. Not sure if it's a heat press material or what. Part of the problem is the typestyle I chose. It has some thin spots in the design. The wider parts of the design hold up ok with two layers of the embossing backing I'm experimenting with, the thin spots don't hold their shape. I might need a bolder/more round type style plus have the platemaker make the plate deeper. Cyber...as a guitar picker, I love your guitar strap designs. John

I'm embossing 2" numbers on 2.5 oz upholstery leather. The raised number looks great at first but slowly collapses. For support I tried all sorts of things including embroidery backing and even a mailing label. Nothing holds up very long. The platemaker suggested some sort silicone from the hardware store (I guess that is what they use on embossed leather jackets??) and I've seen something used that looks like some sort of thick paper/filament tape. Any ideas? John