Members VoxMagis Posted July 30, 2009 Members Report Posted July 30, 2009 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. Quote
Members iwannabeacowboy Posted July 31, 2009 Members Report Posted July 31, 2009 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 Quote I'm never to old to learn about all the things life brings along.
Members wildrose Posted July 31, 2009 Members Report Posted July 31, 2009 In the easy solution dept., you might try a "hefty handle". I use them with the more detailed 3D's and it works well. Quote Holly Moore Wild Rose Creations http://www.wrcleather.com
Members easy Posted July 31, 2009 Members Report Posted July 31, 2009 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 Quote
Contributing Member UKRay Posted July 31, 2009 Contributing Member Report Posted July 31, 2009 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 Quote "Some mornings, it's just not worth chewing through the leather straps" Ray Hatley www.barefootleather.co.uk
Ambassador Luke Hatley Posted July 31, 2009 Ambassador Report Posted July 31, 2009 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. Quote Luke
Members VoxMagis Posted August 1, 2009 Author Members Report Posted August 1, 2009 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! Quote
Members kevinhopkins Posted August 1, 2009 Members Report Posted August 1, 2009 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 Quote
Members resqman Posted August 5, 2009 Members Report Posted August 5, 2009 (edited) 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 Quote
Moderator Johanna Posted August 5, 2009 Moderator Report Posted August 5, 2009 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 Quote You cannot depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus. - Mark Twain
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