Frankqv Report post Posted June 14, 2015 (edited) I purchased a Bunkhouse tools leather embosser about a year ago along with a few roll dies. Been very happy with the unit overall,great value and good results. Bunkhouse has a multitude of roll dies,some very unique.These dies are some sort of polyester,and come in various diameters,depending on the pattern. Prior to buying the machine I was lucky to purchase about 6 Tandy Brass/Bronze rolls from an estate sale. I favored using the bronze dies as they fit the shaft tighter and I was able to keep the pattern centered quite easily.The poly dies seem to run out a little and keeping the pattern was hit and miss, I added a 1/2hp 60rpm gear motor,with a 6 to 1 final drive (Final speed 10 RPM),and a foot switch. By having two hands to guide the piece I was able to get great results with the poly dies. Recently I added a 1" flange Bronze bush to either side of the Bunkhouse dies,that alleviated all the wobble.Any body that has one of these might consider purchasing a couple of Flanged Bronze Bushings 1" ID x 1.25" OD x 3/4 L,or similar. The Bushes are only used for the Bunkhouse Dies,the Brass/Bronze style dies don't need them. Now that the wobble is gone I intend to purchase additional dies from bunkhouse Edited June 14, 2015 by Frankqv Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elthoma Report post Posted July 31, 2015 Thank you for the wonderful tip, I actually bought my Embosser from Beiler's in PA, it permits use of any of the BUNKHOUSE tools embossing rollers and will actually take one up to about 3.5" +/- diameter. It was a replacement for my Tandy embosser which they quit making. The embosser came with two steel collars which seem to work, but I am going to try out the Bronze as well. So far I have been impressed with the BUNKHOUSE tools embossing rolller I bought (Mushrooms) and with the prices you can't go wrong. Ed Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Oldtoolsniper Report post Posted July 31, 2015 Thank you for the wonderful tip, I actually bought my Embosser from Beiler's in PA, it permits use of any of the BUNKHOUSE tools embossing rollers and will actually take one up to about 3.5" +/- diameter. It was a replacement for my Tandy embosser which they quit making. The embosser came with two steel collars which seem to work, but I am going to try out the Bronze as well. So far I have been impressed with the BUNKHOUSE tools embossing rolller I bought (Mushrooms) and with the prices you can't go wrong. Ed Any chance there is a link to this tool as far as getting one? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frankqv Report post Posted July 31, 2015 (edited) The one in the Beiler Catalog is similar to this one. Price is the same . http://www.ebay.com/itm/Leather-Embossing-Machine-NEW-Custom-made-in-USA-/271942718685?hash=item3f510c94dd the Bunkhouse one is here http://www.bunkhousetools.com/Embossing_Machine.php Edited July 31, 2015 by Frankqv Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
impulse Report post Posted July 31, 2015 My thanks also for the tip. I like to keep a considerable pressure on the foot pedal to achieve a sharper imprint and I found that the leather strap that is recommended with the machine tended to stretch a little giving an uneven result. I have now replaced this with a light chain and am happy with the consistency. Cheers, Lois Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frankqv Report post Posted July 31, 2015 Thank you for the wonderful tip, I actually bought my Embosser from Beiler's in PA, it permits use of any of the BUNKHOUSE tools embossing rollers and will actually take one up to about 3.5" +/- diameter. It was a replacement for my Tandy embosser which they quit making. The embosser came with two steel collars which seem to work, but I am going to try out the Bronze as well. So far I have been impressed with the BUNKHOUSE tools embossing rolller I bought (Mushrooms) and with the prices you can't go wrong. Ed The collars are fairly loose fitting,they probably work great with Bronze Dies as the Bronze Die ID's are machine with a couple of thou clearance. The Collars will retain the Bunkhouse dies,but they won't keep them true to the shaft.The Flange bushing only have a couple of thou clearance to the shaft so they will keep the rolls true to the shaft. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elthoma Report post Posted July 31, 2015 Thank you for the advice, I am going out looking for some this weekend. Oldtoolsniper, the Embosser I bought is just like the one referenced on Ebay above except I bought the one with a 9" throat to make it easier to do large objects. I got it out of Beilers in Ronk PA. If I can figure out how to attach a photo I will. I really like it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frankqv Report post Posted August 1, 2015 Bushings on EBay. http://www.ebay.com/itm/190934426724?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Itch Report post Posted August 1, 2015 I have the one from Beilers for a couple of years now and love it like all of the tools that Dan makes. I will tell you that it is built very well and will last you forever .. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elthoma Report post Posted August 1, 2015 FrankQV, Thank you, ordered a set this morning. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheCobblersDtr Report post Posted June 8, 2016 Hello there! I have had the Bunkhouse embosser for a couple of years now and I had trial and error learning as well! Thanks for the tip in the bush, that has really balanced out the poly dies! However I have found that if you put contact (shelf paper on the back side of your work, it allows your work to keep its shape and the design is better as well! No stretching the leather! I wasted a bunch of leather pieces before I figured that out! Thanks yall! Cammie Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frankqv Report post Posted June 8, 2016 Thanks Cammid A lot of straps I do are double thick,5+5 or 6+6 oz,gun belts. When the Two pcs are glued back to back I don't get any stretch. I'll try the contact for single layer. Frank Franks Classic Leather Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike516 Report post Posted June 9, 2016 I hadn't seen this post when it was originally posted last year, but I'm glad I ran across it this morning. I too felt a steep learning curve with this embosser. I've only had it a short while and read another thread where someone else posted that once you get the guides set, you won't want to move them as it's extremely difficult to get them even again when you change rolls. True this to the point I got so flustered and frustrated, I discovered something quite by accident. I removed the guides and sit eye level with the throat of the machine and guide the leather by eye. It takes a bit of practice, but it's much easier than messing with the crazy guides that don't quite tighten down evenly. It's like the hole where they slide onto the bar is bigger than the bar so even tightened down they still wobble. But this isn't a precision type machine. For the price it's a great value and you can't beat it once you figure out your own method of using it. I always wondered if anyone else operates this without the guides? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JLSleather Report post Posted June 9, 2016 That embosser isn't that difficult. I should maybe drop a line to Ray and friends and ask permission to put that on my site for 'em.... Meanwhile, don't let that a laid back good-ole-boy tone throw you off... I'm guessing Ray hasn't forgotten anything since back in '74 Have we heard of SET SCREWS? Those guides ride on a bolt. Once you set the width to the width of your strap Then a fella what was observin stuff might see that those guides run on a DOUBLE NUTTED BOLT (aka: set screw). And if a guy could tell, looks like that might be about a 16 pitch screw. Meaning 1/16" between each thread peak. Meaning each full turn, the nut moves 1/16". So, really --- if you back off the outside nut ONE FULL TURN, and tighten the inside nut ONE FULL TURN, then you've moved the guides (which are already set the correct width) exactly 1/16" to the left (out). TOO simple.. thanks, Ray T.... Oh, yeah ... keep in mind if you're trying to 'center' a roll on a strap, distance moved should be HALF. If you're side (border) measurements differ by 1/8", move the bolt 1/16". And if you're off by 1/32", run the strap through and don't worry about it Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike516 Report post Posted June 9, 2016 So yea, when I spoke to him about having a hard time getting my straps centered he told me that some folks like to use those set screws to move the guides rather than move the guides themselves. The problem I was having was the guides shifting after I tightened them because the bar they are set on is smaller in diameter than the holes in the guides. I guess everyone figures out what works best for them. I don't like the guides so I ditched them. It might take me a few seconds longer to run my straps through, but I'm not in a rush. But thanks for the advice. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkapaLeather Report post Posted April 13, 2017 Ok, I hate to revive an old thread, but I hope ya'll don't mind! This is the only example I have been able to find of someone putting a motor on to the Bunkhouse Tools embosser. Heck, I can only find 1 other example of someone doing it on one of the Tandy machines... but this is something I really want to do, so Frank, if you are around- I have a few questions! 1. can you provide any details as to the size/power/voltage/other specs of the motor you used, and perhaps how you set it up to attach to the machine (it looks like you have some sort of flywheel system)? 2. can you talk a little about using the brass wheels on the BT machine? I have some (and currently set up the Tandy one when I need to use those) because when I use them on the BT machine, they slip and/or chew up the leather (because I have to provide more pressure to make sure they dont slip). Any suggestions you can provide would be great because I would LOVE to operate just one machine. Long time lurker, 1st post. Thank you all very much! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frankqv Report post Posted April 26, 2017 Skapa The motor is a Von Weiss,V00212AV40 - VW40 115V AC Parallel Shaft - 30 RPM,12" pulley on the embosser,4" on the motor. Final RPM for embosser 10 RPM.Any 1/2 hp geared motor will do. I purchased the motor off eBay ,they come available quite often,there is a Dayton replacement,don't know the model. http://estore.vonweise.com/parallelouputshaftv00212av402z7941lpu5014q407-0056.aspx I case the strips that I emboss. Not too wet,let the surface dry so the embosser has traction. Hope this helps Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
setzerjett Report post Posted April 2, 2018 hi guys great topic im looking for embosser im in england i cart find Beiler’s email or website the bushes you put on to hold wheel steady dont they get in way of the guides that position leather ie if wheels 1” 1/4” wide and belts 1”1/2” wide thx dave in uk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frankqv Report post Posted April 2, 2018 No Dave they are well clear of the guides. Frank Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
setzerjett Report post Posted April 2, 2018 ok frank thx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
