need to find a reliable leather source

[esantoro]

http://lucris.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

A possible low cost alternative to hydraulic clickers for small to medium production. There is a US distributor link somewhere on this site. I agree that it is an alternative to get knives made and rent the use of someone elses until your production warrants you buying one yourself.

Barra

Thanks for the link, Barra. I was looking at the Lucris clicker. They seem to go for about $900 new. I'm going to look around for a used Tippmann 1500. Maybe I can pick one up for $2000.

I was thnking. In addition to the 16" x 12" faces I need for my briefcase, I also need 16" x 12.5" suede lining for each face. Is it possible to hang a clicker .5" over the cutting edge of the press and have only three sides cut? Then I could do the last side manually and add the .5" extra i need to roll under the edge of the face. This would allow me to get two slightly different cuts from the same clicker die.

Ed

[K-Man]

Ed:

Sent you an email. With respect to the noise level of the 15-ton clicker and air compressor, it will mostly depend on the air compressor you get. I recently had to purchase a new air compressor, and doubled the size of what I previously had. When the compressor is running, I sometimes cannot hear the phone ringing. My shop is 1000 sq feet, with essentially metal walls. The compressor does not run for very long - usually just for a minute while it rebuilds its air pressure.

I would guess that the price for the basic four-sided dies like you describe will be relatively inexpensive at Tippmann (compared to other die makers). The price generally increases when you start putting bends and angles into the design. I'm getting ready to order some more dies myself.

With respect to hanging the one die over the edge for the larger piece of suede, you can do that. However, I think you'll eventually find that it would be easier (and ultimately more cost effective) to order a die that's the size you need.

[Art]

Hi Ed,

For Dies, try Heather Kinnick at Texas Custom Dies. Good Job, Fast, Reasonable price (will beat Tippman and Weaver usually). 888-755-9025.

Art

Ed:

Sent you an email. With respect to the noise level of the 15-ton clicker and air compressor, it will mostly depend on the air compressor you get. I recently had to purchase a new air compressor, and doubled the size of what I previously had. When the compressor is running, I sometimes cannot hear the phone ringing. My shop is 1000 sq feet, with essentially metal walls. The compressor does not run for very long - usually just for a minute while it rebuilds its air pressure.

I would guess that the price for the basic four-sided dies like you describe will be relatively inexpensive at Tippmann (compared to other die makers). The price generally increases when you start putting bends and angles into the design. I'm getting ready to order some more dies myself.

With respect to hanging the one die over the edge for the larger piece of suede, you can do that. However, I think you'll eventually find that it would be easier (and ultimately more cost effective) to order a die that's the size you need.

[esantoro]

Hi Ed,

For Dies, try Heather Kinnick at Texas Custom Dies. Good Job, Fast, Reasonable price (will beat Tippman and Weaver usually). 888-755-9025.

Art

I'm closer to purchasing a die. But I was wondering: It still may be some time before I buy a clicker or even find one to rent time on.

Have you ever heard of anyone using a a 16" x 12" clicker manually, say, by putting two-by-fours across and using a mallet to cut out the pieces. Even if the piece does not cut out entirely, it may not be difficult tofinish cuting out with a knife.

Would this procedure damage the die? Are there dies made just for this sort of thing?

Ed

[Art]

Hi Ed,

You will ruin a set of ruler dies that way, I have seen mallet dies that are made to do that although none that size. They hare quite robust and have a striking handle welded to the top of the die.

Art

I'm closer to purchasing a die. But I was wondering: It still may be some time before I buy a clicker or even find one to rent time on.

Have you ever heard of anyone using a a 16" x 12" clicker manually, say, by putting two-by-fours across and using a mallet to cut out the pieces. Even if the piece does not cut out entirely, it may not be difficult tofinish cuting out with a knife.

Would this procedure damage the die? Are there dies made just for this sort of thing?

Ed

[Cowboy Crafts Online]

esantoro,

I do not know where your from, but there is a place just down in Saint Joseph MO that carries alot of leather and does custom clicking. I buy alot of chaps sides from them. I can look up their phone number if your serious about having some one click out items for you. They are some real nice folks that run the biz. some of their clients are Ping golf, stetson Hats, Barstow rodeo gear. I dont know thier prices but I think they could help you out. They might even have clicker dies made up for the sizes that you need.

Ashley

[esantoro]

esantoro,

I do not know where your from, but there is a place just down in Saint Joseph MO that carries alot of leather and does custom clicking. I buy alot of chaps sides from them. I can look up their phone number if your serious about having some one click out items for you. They are some real nice folks that run the biz. some of their clients are Ping golf, stetson Hats, Barstow rodeo gear. I dont know thier prices but I think they could help you out. They might even have clicker dies made up for the sizes that you need.

Ashley

Ashley,

I'm in Brooklyn, NY, and would love to get the number of this company to check their pricing.

Thanks,

Ed

[Peter Ellis]

Hi Ed.

An option to consider on the die cutting front is instead of a clicker (even the manual versions run about a thousand dollars) use a shop press http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Disp...temnumber=33497 . One needs to add plates for supporting the work and driving the dies, and it's not as fast as a clicker.

OTOH, you can get the shop press set up ready to use for die cutting leather for under $200. Money saved can go into more dies. Then, as your production speeds up, demand increases - you can afford to buy the higher speed clicker and you have the dies already.

Peter