kevturbo Report post Posted June 5, 2013 Hello all, I am about to embark on producing my own leather straps for the nickel free titanium buckles I have designed and am seling on Amazon. A burning question that eludes me about embossing, is how to stamp two numbers at once onto each strap, for the sizes. Now I could hand stamp, or use a press for each number (32, 45,38, etc) but it will be difficult to make sure the numbers are aligned . Plus I will be doing 30 at a time, so I would like to make the process as quick and painless as possible. Is there a way to mount two number dies together and emboss them with an arbor press at all? I can find no information on this searching the net, and yet so many people seem to do it out there. Any tips or ideas would be gratefully received, and thanks in advance Kevin Nickelsafe Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TomG Report post Posted June 6, 2013 I've used a rubber ink pad and stamp to mark sizes on the backs. It's pretty permanent and doesn't risk compressing the leather from the back and showing through the front. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dwight Report post Posted June 6, 2013 To keep them lined up, . . . put a gear driven clamp around them, . . . put the clamp on the end of a stick, . . . pull down on the arbor press, . . . done !!! May God bless, Dwight Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kevturbo Report post Posted June 6, 2013 Thanks for that tip Dwight. I found a set of inspection stamps on infinity's web site, and it got me thinking that it would be great if anyone made dual number stamps for just this purpose. Maybe they do and I haven't found them yet, but it's just wishful thinking. I also thought of making a wooden template the width of the belt with a little guide holder the size of two stamps at the end. Put that under the Arbor press, and hey presto. That way the stamps could be dropped in and changed at ease, always be in the same position, and speed up the process. Does this sound like a good idea, and has anyone else tried this out or similar themselves? I'm just making this up as I go along, but that's part of the fun of this venture. I look forward to hearing any more thoughts on the process. There are plenty of skilled crafts people doing wonderful leatherwork state side, but they are a little thin on the ground in the uk, so your help is much appreciated. Kevin www.nickelsafe.co.uk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dwight Report post Posted June 6, 2013 (edited) Kevin, . . . I used to work in a factory, . . . and we were all the time making "jigs" to do a specific / certain problem. This is a perfect candidate for that type work. The one I would envision is like this little drawing, . . . two retangular guides to position the belt, . . . a block above it made from small pieces, . . . with square holes for the stamps. Don't make it out of aluminum, . . . it will over time begin to leave a greyish color on some of the leather it touches. Use steel, . . . paint it with a good spray paint, . . . and you should be good to go. You can tack weld the pieces together or solder them, . . . since there is no real stress on them, . . . either should work. May God bless, Dwight Edited June 6, 2013 by Dwight Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tree Reaper Report post Posted June 6, 2013 If you use the stamps for stamping metal you could probably get by using two rubber O-rings to hold them together. Kevin. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shtoink Report post Posted June 6, 2013 If you use the stamps for stamping metal you could probably get by using two rubber O-rings to hold them together. This is the sort of thing that first came to mind when I was reading the fist post. I was thinking something like a set of small clamps over o-rings to maintain the vertical alignment, but effectively the same idea. The only thing that I might add to it is having the punches machined on the sides that will be touching so that the numbers are closer together. I wouldn't grind them by hand as you risk messing up the heat treatment on the punches and the surfaces won't match up very well. Maybe take them to a machine shop and have a few tenths of an inch removed from the left and right sides of each number in a milling machine. This will yield more consistent result, won't mess up the heat treatment, be far faster, and you could even spent time to lap the surfaces when you get hem home if you wanted. Don't mess with the top or bottom (when looking at the number/letter) as to help retain some strength of the steel punch. I am assuming that these will be being used on the leather portion of the belt on not the titanium buckle, so keep that in mind. You won't be needing to bang on them with a hammer to make number shaped dents into a metal of some kind, if that's the case. The arbor press will also eliminate the need of a hammer and prolong the life of the punches. The other option is to get a dedicated punch with number/letters you require. They aren't exactly cheap, but eliminate the stuff above. Here a some random links that I found with a quick search for what I mean. http://www.whiteint.com.au/Menu/TradeIndustrial/OurBrands/Pryor/PryorManualMarking.aspx http://shortorderproducts.com/Metal_Stamping_Pages/ms_ag_Model_60/ms_ag_model_60.html http://www.artukimya.com/product_konv.html http://www.shivaarts.com/hand-rotary-numerator-machine-india.php http://www.indiamart.com/md-artengraver/mechanical-machines.html Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
