How Do I Get Good Results With Embossing Machine?

[glennaycock]

I picked up an open box embossing machine from Tandy and several rolls on clearance today. It was missing any documentation other than a small leaflet for assembly/maintenance. Although it appears to be perfectly operational, during my initial tests I was having trouble getting good impressions. Mainly, one side was deeper than the other, or the entire impression was not deep enough. I admit that I was in a hurry and didn't case the leather well like I normally would. I almost regret buying it, but thought it was a bargain.

Also, the depth adjustment wheel on the bottom is odd. It rides freely on the adjustment screw (no pin or set screw), kinda like a lock nut. I'm not exactly sure how that's supposed to operate, other than it occasionally raises or lowers the adjustment screw when the threads bind. I noticed that inside the adjustment screw hole there is a much coarser thread and wonder what that's for.

Anybody else have one willing to share pics or wisdom?

[RMB Custom Leather]

I picked up an open box embossing machine from Tandy and several rolls on clearance today. It was missing any documentation other than a small leaflet for assembly/maintenance. Although it appears to be perfectly operational, during my initial tests I was having trouble getting good impressions. Mainly, one side was deeper than the other, or the entire impression was not deep enough. I admit that I was in a hurry and didn't case the leather well like I normally would. I almost regret buying it, but thought it was a bargain.

Also, the depth adjustment wheel on the bottom is odd. It rides freely on the adjustment screw (no pin or set screw), kinda like a lock nut. I'm not exactly sure how that's supposed to operate, other than it occasionally raises or lowers the adjustment screw when the threads bind. I noticed that inside the adjustment screw hole there is a much coarser thread and wonder what that's for.

Anybody else have one willing to share pics or wisdom?

Good luck. Mine never came with any instructions or direction that worth anything and I got mine from a store. The uneven impressions are common because of how the machine is made in my opinion. My biggest problem is getting the guides adjusted right, they are either to tight on the leather or to loose which causes the pattern not to be straight. I don't use my often but I wish I would have spent a little more and got the Timppmann one it looks better built. I can see if I have the paperwork that came with mine it really wasn't any help just talked about casing leather. If you don't mind what deal did you get on it?

[glennaycock]

It was roughly half price (machine only). I played a bit more with it today. I was able to get better impressions but still heavier on the outside. I realized this is caused by the skew of the bottom roller as you raise or lower it for thickness adjustment. As you do so, the two rollers are no longer parallel. You need a slightly thicker bottom sleeve for thinner leather and thinner for thicker. I was concerned about breaking it by putting too much pressure on it, but this is a pretty sturdy unit. I'm going to make a couple of bottom sleeve prototypes from HDPE. If that works (which it should) then I'll make them from steel. I also noticed that the closer the guides are and the more pressure I put on the leather, the more it wants to skew to the outside.

Good luck. Mine never came with any instructions or direction that worth anything and I got mine from a store. The uneven impressions are common because of how the machine is made in my opinion. My biggest problem is getting the guides adjusted right, they are either to tight on the leather or to loose which causes the pattern not to be straight. I don't use my often but I wish I would have spent a little more and got the Timppmann one it looks better built. I can see if I have the paperwork that came with mine it really wasn't any help just talked about casing leather. If you don't mind what deal did you get on it?

Edited December 11, 2011 by glennaycock

[RMB Custom Leather]

It was roughly half price (machine only). I played a bit more with it today. I was able to get better impressions but still heavier on the outside. I realized this is caused by the skew of the bottom roller as you raise or lower it for thickness adjustment. As you do so, the two rollers are no longer parallel. You need a slightly thicker bottom sleeve for thinner leather and thinner for thicker. I was concerned about breaking it by putting too much pressure on it, but this is a pretty sturdy unit. I'm going to make a couple of bottom sleeve prototypes from HDPE. If that works (which it should) then I'll make them from steel. I also noticed that the closer the guides are and the more pressure I put on the leather, the more it wants to skew to the outside.

Share your results because I may have to do it with mine, if you don't mind.

[New leathercrafter]

Tandy has an instructional video on this, at their website and facebook page... Hope this helps.

[glennaycock]

Unfortunately, the Tandy video is very basic.

I have found that since the bottom roller skews downward, you need a thinner bottom bushing for thicker leather. About 1/16" - 3/32" smaller diameter should do the trick (for me). Also, I have found that for 10oz leather, if I just keep the rollers parallel it works pretty well. Of course, this depends on the weight of the leather you are using. I'm going to call Tippmann tomorrow to see if they will turn down some steel bushings for me.

[glennaycock]

Share your results because I may have to do it with mine, if you don't mind.

To save time, I bought a stock bushing from Tippmann for $15. It's the same size as the Tandy one (1-5/8"), although the actual dimension measured 1.6". Last night i turned it down to 1.54". This seems to be a good diameter for the 10-12oz Latigo I was embossing. Again, it entirely depends on the diameter of the embossing wheel and thickness of leather. I haven't asked Tippmann yet whether they would consider selling a graduated set of bushings, but I suspect they might.

Good luck.

[Willbilly]

I have noticed the same issue with mine. It is a problem with the botom roller, but I believe that the gear is not perfect, because it only does it at certain points on the gear when turning. Let me know what you figure out, I am trying to correct he problem myself.

[glennaycock]

I have noticed the same issue with mine. It is a problem with the botom roller, but I believe that the gear is not perfect, because it only does it at certain points on the gear when turning. Let me know what you figure out, I am trying to correct he problem myself.

The smaller bushing works quite well. I would make a few more if I was producing enough to justify it.

[daveottawa]

The smaller bushing works quite well. I would make a few more if I was producing enough to justify it.

I have the same problems with mine. Those bars are too short to be parallel enough for thicker leather. Unless the Tippmann bars are a lot longer than Tandy's, there'll be the same parallelity problem. (Is that a word?!)

Right, a tapered bushing for the bottom roller would be the way to make the bars parallel.

And the height adjustment wheel needs some registration marks. (See attached pic for my high tech solution.) I suggested this to Tandy a few months ago. I hope they add some markings to the wheel if they're still in production.