frank207 Report post Posted March 3, 2009 Hi, Are there any tricks of the trade in keeping the lettering straight on Belts and Dog Collars without scribing a line into the leather with wing dividers or some other tool? I find however light I scribe a line it shows up after dyeing and when I try smoothing it out with a spoon modeling tool it indents the leather. Any suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks, Frank Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luke Hatley Report post Posted March 4, 2009 use a very fine eye, measure 3 times , have a very hard surface. and dont let the letters bounce. or buy one of the tandy embossers. like this one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Leather Bum Report post Posted March 4, 2009 (edited) Maybe you could try securing a straight edge to the leather and lining up the stamps against the edge without scribing a line. . . L'Bum Edited March 4, 2009 by Leather Bum Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dags3777 Report post Posted March 4, 2009 Maybe you could try securing a straight edge to the leather and lining up the stamps against the edge without scribing a line. . .L'Bum Thats a great idea, I sometimes have the line problem as well. Cheer's Darryl Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cajun Report post Posted March 5, 2009 Thats a great idea, I sometimes have the line problem as well. Cheer's Darryl I have the Tandy embossing machine and use it all the time, it is great. The way I keep the letters straight, is I use 3M - 8ll tape and it does not leave a mark on the grain side of the leather. I just lay a strip of tape on the leather, then lay a ruler on the tape and draw a line with a ball point pin and use that as my guide, and it works everytime. Bill Parrie Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
frank207 Report post Posted March 8, 2009 I have the Tandy embossing machine and use it all the time, it is great. The way I keep the letters straight, is I use 3M - 8ll tape and it does not leave a mark on the grain side of the leather. I just lay a strip of tape on the leather, then lay a ruler on the tape and draw a line with a ball point pin and use that as my guide, and it works everytime.Bill Parrie cajun, This is my second attempt at this message, I'm not sure where the first one went! What kind of tape 3M-8ll?? Thanks Frank Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
easy Report post Posted March 13, 2009 most of the times , i used this tool , i made it myself grtz Easy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
electrathon Report post Posted March 13, 2009 Hi,Are there any tricks of the trade in keeping the lettering straight on Belts and Dog Collars without scribing a line into the leather with wing dividers or some other tool? I find however light I scribe a line it shows up after dyeing and when I try smoothing it out with a spoon modeling tool it indents the leather. Any suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks, Frank Use tape instead of scribing the line. Remove the tape, no more line. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cajun Report post Posted March 13, 2009 cajun,This is my second attempt at this message, I'm not sure where the first one went! What kind of tape 3M-8ll?? Thanks Frank Yes it is the 3M 811 removable tape and it comes in a blue box. You can get it at any office supply store. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
laney1566 Report post Posted April 19, 2009 I place all the letters next to each other using a dummy letter if the letter repeats itself in the name. I punch the letter nearest the center first and leave the dye in place. I work my way out from center keeping the dye I have just stamped in place in order to butt the next letter up to it. This keeps things straight for me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UKRay Report post Posted April 19, 2009 I place all the letters next to each other using a dummy letter if the letter repeats itself in the name. I punch the letter nearest the center first and leave the dye in place. I work my way out from center keeping the dye I have just stamped in place in order to butt the next letter up to it. This keeps things straight for me. How do you get on when you need to use the letter I? I find the spacing is completely out if you simply put one letter next to another - a few tips would be appreciated. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
somewhereinusa Report post Posted December 14, 2009 I've been struggling with this, since I had eye surgery I can't see if something is straight. (long story) I can tell if it's misaligned after the fact, but not while I am doing it. I have been thinking of making some kind of jig, but that's an outdoor project and it's cold out there. Today I think I have found the answer quite simply. The jig can come later. Since the base of the letter isn't the same distance from the edge on all letters you have to align the letters themselves. I used a thin piece of plastic (cut from some packaging material) make sure you have a straight edge. I clamped a yardstick to the bench, then taped the plastic to it. Slip the leather piece under the plastic and align the LETTER to the edge of the plastic. I also got my design stamps in a straight line without having to scribe a line. This is the first time I EVER got the letters in a straight line. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
McJeep Report post Posted December 14, 2009 Cool idear! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dirtclod Report post Posted December 14, 2009 Ray if i have to use a I . Lay all of the letters out and measure them to find the center. Then i make a small mark in the center of where they need to go and start in the middle and work to either side. Works for me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
laney1566 Report post Posted December 30, 2009 (edited) I use the letters themselves to determine spacing. I leave them setting in the groove when possible when tapping the next letter in. I will use dummy letters if a word has more than one occurrence of a particular letter. Start from center and work your way out. Place the entire word (dummy letters included) before starting with the center letter. Make sure all letter stamps are square. I have had to take files to slightly knock off burrs and ridges. Edited December 30, 2009 by laney1566 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites