How to keep big tools from bouncing on thin leather

[azrider]

I have done my last three or four projects out of 2-4oz leather. One of the problems I have had is that large stamps, like letter stamps or the barbwire borders always seem to bounce. Last week I ordered a maker's mark, and when I tried it on the thin leather it bounced quite a bit. I made about 40 attempts to get a clear impression, and was getting kind of upset about it. I use the standard Tandy Poly mallet, and am too cheap to buy a dead blow hammer with out trying everything else first. I did decide to dig in the scrap bin, and found a few pieces of thicker leather. Some 10-11oz saddle skirting took the impression perfectly once it was cased. There was not bounce at all, and I could actually strike the tool a few times if needed. Since it worked on the thicker leather, I tried putting the thin leather on top of the thicker leather, and it worked like a charm. I think it just needed a certain thickness of leather between it and the marble to keep from bouncing.

Can anyone see any reason why this might be a bad idea?

[TwinOaks]

Umm....having a leather pad under the thin leather might allow it to stretch more during tooling?

[azrider]

I didn't think about the stretching. I tried a few stamps, and it seems like the streching gives them an almost embossed from the back look, in addition to giving a more equal depth for the cuts. Would this weaken the leather signifigantly?

[Luke Hatley]

how thick is your Marble slab and what type of surface is your marble on.

[azrider]

Its the standard inch and a half slab from Tandy. (It looks like granite, not marble now that I look at it.) I keep it on top of my rubber cutting mat, on a formica desk.

[TwinOaks]

Formica desk may be the culprit. See if you can move to a more stable foundation...even the floor will work for testing purposes....and try a few.

[DG Leather]

I use 2-4 oz leather lately and have had no issue with it bouncing.....

Here is what I do.....in my living room on a carpet floor.....

I built a work table.....2x4 frame with 3/4 inch plywood...the legs are 4 x 4 treated posts.

on top (directly over) the 4 x4 post leg I put my 12/5x17x 1" black polished granite....I put packing tape on the back of the leather to prevent stretching..... and then I pound my DEAD cow.......

When i use stamping tools I hold it like a pencil and if it is letter stamp I hold it where the stamp clicks on to the handle and i hold it literally as tight as I can pressing downward.....I got a 20 oz rawhide hammer..... and I give it 1 single hard shot and every time i do i cringe that i am about to demolish what is left of my busted knuckles from younger years......Alls I can say is leather work as taught me that all the faces i hit was not worth it cuz now 1 hour of leather work and my hands sieze up (more info than you needed....but I am sure you will live!) hahaha

anyways I am new to leather workin but from reading these threads repeatidly daily...probably obsessively.....I learn alot...

PS

Obsessed is a word use by "lazy" people to descibe the "dedicated"

[azrider]

Think I may be calling it a night, so will haul the slab and stuff down stairs tomorrow and see how it comes out.

[DreadPirateRedbeard]

I like that ghost look on the upper piece. I have a new little trick for effect. I can incorporate the "ghosting" with regular tooling. Now to create a piece to try that look on!

[AndyL1]

I think of all the leather you may waste having ghosted stamps would be a lot more expensive than spending 8 bucks on a deadblow hammer from Harbor Freight. I always use the right tool for the job. Just my 2 cents.