dirtclod Posted January 16, 2014 Report Posted January 16, 2014 I lay a piece of steel on the plate that came with the press and it works fine. No need for any tape on the steel that i can see unless your steel is rusty. I've never had any discoloring on the leather using the steel. It's not like it going to be on there a long time. Quote I'm old enough to know that i don't know everything.
Mike516 Posted January 17, 2014 Author Report Posted January 17, 2014 dirtclod, you use the thing with the slots in it, or did you take that off? Quote
Members Dwight Posted January 17, 2014 Members Report Posted January 17, 2014 You can do it either way, . . . but if you remove it, . . . lay the plate steel across the legs, . . . you get a little wider base, . . . less chance of tipping the thing, . . . and you can drill the back of the plate, . . . screw it to the legs. That will let you build a moveable fence that you can use to align your stamps and make your stamping look a lot more professional. May God bless, Dwight Quote If you can breathe, . . . thank God. If you can read, . . . thank a teacher. If you are reading this in English, . . . thank a veteran. www.dwightsgunleather.com
dirtclod Posted January 17, 2014 Report Posted January 17, 2014 Mike516 i leave the sloted plate on and lay my piece of steel on it. The steel doesn't go any place when you press. Theirs no need to make mountain out of a mole hill IMHO. When i do a piece that has several letters i find the center of the piece set a letter on the center and measure to the edge. How ever wide it is from the top edge of the letter i measure and cut a piece of scrap 1/2 wider and glue a lip on it then hold it all togeather with a couple of binder clips and you have a fence made in a couple of minutes that you could / can use over and over if your making the same thing over and over. Quote I'm old enough to know that i don't know everything.
Members TomG Posted January 17, 2014 Members Report Posted January 17, 2014 I stamp a good bit of 3/4. And your thoughts on putting a heavier piece of scrap under it is a good one. It will make a world of difference. Try some different firmnesses of leather to get the impression you want. I haven't used my arbor press is a while so I really don't remember if I used a piece under those jobs or not. Quote Tom Gregory Legacy Leathercraft www.legacyleathercraft.com www.etsy.com/shop/legacyleathercraft
Mike516 Posted January 17, 2014 Author Report Posted January 17, 2014 There are a few stamps that I don't know if I'll get the entire image, the eagle comes to mind, can never get all the feathers to show. We'll see when I get all the parts and start pressin". Thanks for all the tips and advice, much appreciated. Quote
Members eglideride Posted January 19, 2014 Members Report Posted January 19, 2014 Dwight- Would you post a picture of your arbor set up? (I just brought the 1 ton home an hour ago)- trying to visualize yours....sounds like the way I want to go... Thanks! Quote
Mike516 Posted January 24, 2014 Author Report Posted January 24, 2014 I got the 1 ton as well. I was probably over thinking the set-up too. I simply drilled some holes right into my bench and bolted it down. Then I got a 3/16" thick 4 x 6" piece of rolled steel for the base and a Tandy Ramfoot. And that's it. Works like a charm. I can't believe all this time I been hammering these stupid stamps out with a mallet because I didn't want to spring for $360 for a Tandy imprinting machine. Quote
Pounder Posted January 25, 2014 Report Posted January 25, 2014 Anyone have any ideas (pictures preferred) of constructing an apparatus to keep letter stamps in line. I have basically the same set up as above but still have trouble lining up letters and stamps. Saw a device on LW once before but for the life of me I cannot find it again. Quote Crooked Finger Leather 5514 E. Hwy 40 Greenfield, IN 46140 (317) 947-8046
Members Dwight Posted January 25, 2014 Members Report Posted January 25, 2014 I don't have the fancy one made yet, . . . when I do, . . . it will be square white vinyl tubing, white vinyl angle, . . . the square tubing being bolted to the back of the press, . . . the angle guides being adjusted in and out by 1/4 x 28 threads and springs. I figure when I get time to do it, . . . it'll be a couple hours work, . . . but it will be worth it. Presently, . . . I'd use the "C" clamp set up if I couldn't just eyeball it. I did a leash for a friend over Christmas, . . . name and 10 digit phone number, . . . did it on a 1 inch strap, . . . all by eyeball, . . . turned out AOK, . . . but I wouldn't do that with belts or something I had a lot of other time or material invested in it. Hope this helps. May God bless, Dwight Quote If you can breathe, . . . thank God. If you can read, . . . thank a teacher. If you are reading this in English, . . . thank a veteran. www.dwightsgunleather.com
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