Deraj828 Report post Posted October 3, 2013 So far on this forum I've found one person who laser-etched sheet music onto a large piece of leather, and one person who found music-themed stamps on ebay. Considering the do-it-yourself tendency of leatherwork and the utter absence of any such stamp sets nowadays, does anybody have experience or tips on tooling music into leather? Specifically for now, I'm wanting to make a belt with a musical staff running the length of it, with a simple melody on it. My best guess on how to do this (though I don't have any relevant tools yet) is to grab some wing dividers and drag out five lines beside each other. Then for notes I'd work something out with maybe a seeder and a long, thin shader or something. I know Tandy has a pair of 8th note stamps, and I'm thrilled that they do, but those don't look particularly useful for actual notation stamping. Seems like a long shot, though, so I'd just as soon see what you folks have to say before I drop $50 on tools to experiment with. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WScott Report post Posted October 3, 2013 Certainly could lay it all out and tool it How about printing it off on the computer and transferring it to the leather from the paper or even printing it directly on the leather There was a thred about this, have to look later as I am 'working' Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
camano ridge Report post Posted October 3, 2013 (edited) I don't know what song/melody you want to use I would simply get some sheet music, if it is not the right size for your belt put it in a copier end shrink or enlarge to the size you want. cut into sections and join the sections together and lay the complete melody on your cased leather trace the lines and notes with your stylus or what ever you use. A seeder might work for some of the notes however some of the smaller oval background stamps or even a pear shader might give you a better shape for the notes, cut your lines for your staff and measures and the stems and flags for your notes with a swivel knife. Use a beveler and modeling tool and what ever other stamps you need to achieve the effect you want. I would use either antique or Hilite as theese will fill in the lines of the staff and notes with the darker color and will be easier then trying to color each note. Hope this helps withe some ideas. oops, had to take a phone call came back hit post and found someone already posted pretty much the same thing. Sorry for the duplication. Edited October 3, 2013 by camano ridge Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cyberthrasher Report post Posted October 3, 2013 Specifically for now, I'm wanting to make a belt with a musical staff running the length of it, with a simple melody on it. My best guess on how to do this (though I don't have any relevant tools yet) is to grab some wing dividers and drag out five lines beside each other. Then for notes I'd work something out with maybe a seeder and a long, thin shader or something. I know Tandy has a pair of 8th note stamps, and I'm thrilled that they do, but those don't look particularly useful for actual notation stamping. Do this part! Think about it, the staff itself is made up of lines - simple enough. The notes, those are just dots and lines with a little flag depending on your style The note stamps (there's actually a set of 3) are "ok", but not something I use a lot - mostly for customers on an extreme budget who just want "something music related". Here's one I did where I replaced the notes of "ghostriders in the sky" with bullet holes . Not real accurate since the actual count is missing, but the customer loved it and nobody can ever guess what the song is. Once they find out it's an actual song, they freak out. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
geckostraps Report post Posted October 3, 2013 Not to derail the discussion.... Is it expensive to have something laser etched? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cyberthrasher Report post Posted October 4, 2013 Not to derail the discussion.... Is it expensive to have something laser etched? I don't know, but we're leather workers. Not trying to get into a debate, just stating my feelings here. Put a laser etched piece up next to a tooled piece and see which one brings more profit and respect from the customer. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deraj828 Report post Posted October 4, 2013 Well shucks, I guess it's about time I give in and learn how to use a swivel knife then. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cyberthrasher Report post Posted October 4, 2013 Well shucks, I guess it's about time I give in and learn how to use a swivel knife then. Nothing to it but practice practice practice This one I posted was actually my first order, so I was still pretty new. Before that, it was just a couple of personal items for myself and my wife, and LOTS of garbage practice. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WScott Report post Posted October 4, 2013 Well shucks, I guess it's about time I give in and learn how to use a swivel knife then. Go for it !!!! Lay it out on some scrap and give it a go Post it up and you will get some great helpful tips by people smarter and more skilled than I Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ferg Report post Posted October 4, 2013 If you think you will do this type of thing fairly often, take some "Notes". No pun intended. The whole and half notes are very small hole punches. Grind or file the sharp edges off. Using a hammer, brass or BallPean, hold the punch on a hard steel surface or some very hard stone. Gently tap the end so it becomes oval. You can make several of different sizes. The eighth, sixteenth, thirty second etc. can be made from nails of varying sizes, by simply using a file to make the oval shape. The little Pennants on the notes can be made from a piece of "Flat Stock", Stainless steel is best. Again file to shape, not difficult if you begin with stock that is close to the size you wish for the different parts. Treble and Bass Clef a little more difficult. Do them last so you have experience making the notes. Use an angled blade in your swivel knife about 1/8" in width to cut the note stems. Be careful to not cut into the other parts of the notes when you do the stems. Most good sized Hardware Stores have displays of small brass, stainless, aluminum, and steel, pieces Most are available 12" in length. This is a fun project and one that anyone handy enough to hold a round file in their hand can do. Also, able to handle a hammer or mallet. ferg Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cyberthrasher Report post Posted October 4, 2013 This is a fun project and one that anyone handy enough to hold a round file in their hand can do. Also, able to handle a hammer or mallet. ferg You know, somehow I never considered making my own note stamps.... yet another project I need to make some time for. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
