How to get a stamp to show nicely

[VoxMagis]

I have ended up with a fair number of 3D stamps, and have really been struggling with getting them to imprint on leather.

I have tried several different things - dry leather, cased leather, wet leather. Hammering it to death, hand-pressure, different hammers and different surfaces. Nothing seems to do it. I know I'm missing something!

If anyone can point me to a decent 3D stamp instruction or help me along, I would REALLY appreciate it.

[iwannabeacowboy]

Same problem when I started out. I bought an Arbor Press http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/disp...Itemnumber=3552 $50.00 then I took the ram to work and drilled a hole 7/16" by 2 1/2" deep. Then drilled a cross hole and tapped it for a lock screw. Now I get nice deep impressions. I can mount any stamps with different handle sizes, 4 hole punch, etc. Then if you get any larger stamps like

http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/bobpolgarsr3...QQ_fromZQQ_ipgZ I use a 1/4" thick pc of steel 4" X 3" on top to fully cover the emboss plate. I also replaced the bottom plate with a 4" x 4" plate. Dip to get wet start tooling when the color comes back, depending on thickness and wetness could be an hour up to 24 hours.

Charlie

[wildrose]

In the easy solution dept., you might try a "hefty handle". I use them with the more detailed 3D's and it works well.

[easy]

for my belts , i use a bench drill .

and before i get started , i putt the leather into water for at least 6 hours

grtz , ron - netherlands

[UKRay]

This may sound like I'm stating the obvious but Tandy sell a very good hand toggle press for those 3D stamps. I use mine for all kinds of jobs including key fobs, hair barrettes etc. They aren't cheap but they do take away a lot of the uncertainty associated with the things. They also drop the stamp square onto the leather, thereby avoiding the nasty unwanted corner impressions you get with a standard handle.

Ray

[Luke Hatley]

This may sound like I'm stating the obvious but Tandy sell a very good hand toggle press for those 3D stamps. I use mine for all kinds of jobs including key fobs, hair barrettes etc. They aren't cheap but they do take away a lot of the uncertainty associated with the things. They also drop the stamp square onto the leather, thereby avoiding the nasty unwanted corner impressions you get with a standard handle.

Ray

And to add to what Ray says with the embossing press there is no Bounce or double images as to pounding

the stamp with a Mallet or Maul.

[VoxMagis]

Yes, I'm horribly tempted to go the Tandy press route, but the cost is very high at this point in my poor poor life

I bought the 'cheap' version of the Tandy stamp tools, I'll order a Hefty Handle for now and give that a try.

Thank you all VERY much for your replies!

[kevinhopkins]

Yes, I'm horribly tempted to go the Tandy press route, but the cost is very high at this point in my poor poor life

I bought the 'cheap' version of the Tandy stamp tools, I'll order a Hefty Handle for now and give that a try.

Thank you all VERY much for your replies!

You'll probably do fine...just remember, the thicker and more solid your pounding surface is, the less grief you'll have!

Kevin

[resqman]

I have recently tried a woodworking bar clamp.

You can apply increasing force to the stamp by tightening the clamp. Definitely not the tool for production but a stamp here or there is seems to give a deep impression with no double stamp caused by bouncing. You can also leave the stamp and leather in the clamp for a minute or two or days if you wish.

I guess a regular C clamp could also be used. The abilty to tighten the clamp to the point the stamp could cut through the leather might have some advantage?

Edited August 5, 2009 by resqman

[Johanna]

I'm going to type this out because there are some people who just don't know...

When you set a 3D or alphabet stamp, put it where you want it on the cased leather and give it a little tap. Then make sure the stamp is seated in the impression. NOW you whack it, and do it hard. The first gentle tap helps to reduce the bounce, the second/third smacks make the impression.

Call me old fashioned, but that is still easier for me to do then set up the press.

Johanna