Northmount Posted June 11, 2015 Report Posted June 11, 2015 The Howard press is very similar to the Kingsley we used to have. This one came with more accessories. Has a type box about 2.5" x 3.5". Also has a self centering type box that holds 2 lines of type. It is handier for quick setups. Link I'm happy with it. Need to practice some more with various leathers. I was trying to stamp gold on black pigskin. Wasn't as clear as I wanted and was dropping foil bits near the type that had to be brushed off. Ran out of time and patience, so left it for another time. The leather is stiff and hard with lots of character. Supposedly, you hold the leather where you want to stamp it (guide, etc.) and press the hot type into it for several seconds with no foil to give a good bed for the foil. Then stick a piece of foil in and give it a fairly quick press, very little dwell time. I think my temperature may have been too low so need to try a again, see what dwell time, temperature, and pre-stamp treatment work the best. I used if on 3-4 oz veg tan with no problems. A separate point of discussion, you can have photoengravers or CNC people make plates mounted on a block so you can repeat the same setup later without having to reset all your type. Handy for stamps that you will be using over and over. Usually not too expensive. Tom Quote
Members LumpenDoodle2 Posted June 11, 2015 Members Report Posted June 11, 2015 (edited) I have one of those cheap and chearful hot foil machines, which I picked up in good second hand condition. It will hot foils leather key-rings ok, but I wouldn't ask it to do much more than that. I was very fortunate to pick up an old Dut 21 hot foil machine for £10 about a month ago, but haven't had too much free time to really set it up. Usual story, too much work, not enough time. Really want it up and running by July though. Just to add, I've been practicing using photopolymer plate to make dies. They a not too bad for a short run of imprints, but obvioysly don't have the durability of the metal dies. Edited June 11, 2015 by LumpenDoodle2 Quote “Equality? Political correctness gone mad, I tell you, gone mad!!!! Next they'll be wanting the vote!!!!! “. Anger and intolerance are the enemy of correct understanding
Members Palermo Posted July 4, 2015 Members Report Posted July 4, 2015 I have used those cheap machines in the past and have had great results. It took a lot of trial and error on scrap leathers. writing kiss time, cooling time and temperature. The first thing I would suggest is to buy some better foil. It probably came with a real crappy one and makes it harder. Quote
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