making my own Stamps

[ghstrydr164]

I have started making my own Stamps and would like to share and have others that make their own Stamps share "How and What" they have made and are making.

I started out altering my Craftools after taking some leather carving seminars and getting to see and use quality stamps and experience the difference they made in my tooling. Not all of the hand tools I use are necessary to make stamps and none of the power tools are needed to make most of the stamps. So even on a limited budget you can make or alter stamps for better tooling results. I make my stamps 4¼" long because I have large hands and I find them more comfortable to hold for long periods of time. At first I did not finish the stems but I am starting to do that now. I texture the middle section with 36 grit abrasive belts, spin the stamp in the drill press and cut the groves with a hacksaw blade and polish both ends. The texturing is easier on my fingers over long periods and grips as well as checkering. I keep the striking surface square for better strikes.

Some of the stamps look lope sided in the picture but they are not, it's just my poor pictures.

For my blanks I use Stainless Steel Bolts (304 stainless) diameter ¼" 5/16" 3/8" Head sizes 7/16", ½", 9/16" with long unthreaded shanks and Stainless Steel 1/4 " rod.

Some of the hand tools I use are small jewelers files, checkering files 20, 30, 40, 50 and 75 lines per inch, mill and smooth bastard files, jewelers saw, hack saw, vise and sand paper. Power tools include a drill press, belt sander (Burr King 870 with knife makers attachments), Dremal tool, Dental hand-piece and a buffer (3/4 hp. Baldor).

Latter I will post some special stamps that I made to assist me in tooling.

I would like to here what you are making and any tips you have for making them.

[LuisPaulo]

This topic will be VERY useful for me.

Here in Brazil there is no factory that made this tools. I boght mine from Tandy, and, besides these tools are not very expensive, adding the shipping, the taxes etc, the final cost goes to the space !!!

[CitizenKate]

Yes! Excellent topic! This kind of information is rather difficult to come by. In some places (such as the LCSJ, but not to be discrediting them), the topic is more or less banned because the tool vendors who sponsor the venue consider it detrimental to their business for crafters to learn anything about making their own stamps or other tools.

I know that would not be the case on this forum, so I've been hoping someone who has had some success in this area would come along and post some how-to information on stamp making.

My first question: Where is the best place to get your checkering files? I could just kick myself now, because my dad was an amateur gunsmith (as well as a leather crafter), and had a whole set of those files.

Thanks so much for bringing up this topic!

Kate

[candyleather]

My own stamps in the forum

http://www.leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=671

http://www.leatherworker.net/forum/index.p...pic=673&hl=

Edited November 3, 2007 by candyleather

[ghstrydr164]

Brownells Gunsmithing Supplies

Metal Checkering Files, not inexpensive but you don't need them all at once and compared to custom stamps very affordable. Maybe start with a 50 LPI for smaller fine stamps and maybe a 30 LPI for larger stamps. You can also make smooth tools to try your skills and checker them later if you like making them. Using the checkering file takes some practice so don’t expect to get it right the first time but you will get it with some practice. You can always sand off the mistakes and try again. Once you get the lines started you just ride in the groves and deepen with each stroke until you get them where you want them. Keep a scrap of cased leather close through all of the stamp making process to test the impressions.

[ghstrydr164]

candyleather

Very nice stamps and impressions, you have already given me some new ideas. How about sharing the techniques you use to fabricate some of the non cast stamps.

[SmilinJim]

Nice work ghost

I like seeing 'homemade' items. Been thinking about trying some simple stuff. Some of the tools mentioned in the older Stolman books are not available. Keep showing your work.

Jim

[candyleather]

candyleather

Very nice stamps and impressions, you have already given me some new ideas. How about sharing the techniques you use to fabricate some of the non cast stamps.

Thanks Cyrus!, no problem. Sometimes I use an old laser engraving machine for metal, sandpaper, another tools, a dremel and patient. I can make any pics for to show you next time.

[candyleather]

Nice work ghost

I like seeing 'homemade' items. Been thinking about trying some simple stuff. Some of the tools mentioned in the older Stolman books are not available. Keep showing your work.

Jim

Please, could you show me a link for to look those old tools not available in the older Stohlman books? Thanks

[steveh]

very nice work, how did you lay out the sunburst or camafloge tool, and what did you cut the lines with.

Thank You