Members Oldtoolsniper Posted June 26, 2015 Members Report Posted June 26, 2015 I'm with the arbor press crowd. I have three of them and they get used a lot. It's one of the tools harbor freight sells that works very well for leather working. I set my rivets and all my snaps with it, I use it to punch holes, I use it for stamping with the 1" stamps, I use it to make conchos, I use it to set my makers mark and the uses go on and on.. Get a press, chop off the rod and go to town with it. Quote
Moderator Art Posted June 26, 2015 Moderator Report Posted June 26, 2015 It is all a matter of how much energy can be transferred to the amount of design you are trying to transfer, and the depth of impression you want. Everything depends on the amount of rock solid surface you are stamping on, the weight of striking device, and the amount of energy applied. If you want to get technical, mother earth + how big your stamp + how big your hammer + how big you = depth of impression. I have a delrin stamp for boy scout neckerchief ties made by Jeff Mosby (Grey Ghost) that I can stamp on my 288 lb Hay-Budden anvil which sets on a 3 foot cube base of end cut hardwood that I wack with a 96oz Barry King Maul. It works on the anvil and also on an old GI desk (built like a brick outhouse) with a hundred lb surface plate on top. My makers mark gets like treatment although it is tool steel (Infinity Stamps Inc.). Irresistible force + immovable object = good impression. That being said, I have a three ton arbor press that does a pretty good job too. If you get your stamp maker to make you a press stamp (short full width stamp), you can use them in a hydraulic press easier if you have one and they also work in the arbor press. Don't get the press stamp if you plan on whacking it with a mallet or hammer, your fingers may end-up casualties. Art Quote For heaven's sakes pilgrim, make yourself a strop!
Members texback Posted June 27, 2015 Members Report Posted June 27, 2015 If your leather is well cased you can also tap the maker stamp multiple times (think medium controlled blows) to make the impression rather than trying to hit it once hard. As long as you hold it firmly against the leather it will make a nice clean impression and you can tilt the handle a little in all directions to get the full stamp. I also use an arbor press but did this before I had one with good results. Quote
Members Leatherbyelaine Posted June 27, 2015 Author Members Report Posted June 27, 2015 (edited) Thanks texback. This was the system I used to get the result in my photo shown on the first post. It did work, but I'm a 5'3" petite thing w not enough muscle to hold it in place! And I want my makers stamp deeper than shown in the photo. I'm looking into the arbor press. Sounds like I could use it for multiple things. Great replies- thank you so much everyone! So glad I discovered this forum. Edited June 27, 2015 by Leatherbyelaine Quote
Members TinkerTailor Posted June 28, 2015 Members Report Posted June 28, 2015 If you have to hammer, get a drilling hammer from a hardware store, they have short handles and are 3-4 pounds. Only like 20 bucks. They are used for hammering rock chisels and drills. Go outside and find a concrete slab to put your marble on to do your makers marking. I probably could hammer my stamps right through the leather in one hit if i swung the 4 lb hard enough. A press or a vise is the way to go however. I think that leaving it in there under pressure for 15 mins or so can help. Hang a dumbell on a rope from the handle of the press to keep pressure on. Quote "If nobody shares what they know, we will eventually all know nothing." "There is no adventure in letting fear and common sense be your guide"
Members Leatherbyelaine Posted July 31, 2015 Author Members Report Posted July 31, 2015 (edited) Well I finally got a 1 ton arbor press! I'm super excited to use it with my makers stamp-- but now how do I get the 5" delrin rod OFF?? ANy suggestions would be greatly appreciated! I'm with the arbor press crowd. I have three of them and they get used a lot. It's one of the tools harbor freight sells that works very well for leather working. I set my rivets and all my snaps with it, I use it to punch holes, I use it for stamping with the 1" stamps, I use it to make conchos, I use it to set my makers mark and the uses go on and on.. Get a press, chop off the rod and go to town with it.Well I finally got a 1 ton arbor press! I'm super excited to use it with my makers stamp-- but now how do I get the 5" delrin rod OFF?? ANy suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Edited July 31, 2015 by Leatherbyelaine Quote
dirtclod Posted July 31, 2015 Report Posted July 31, 2015 (edited) Guessing the rod is pressed in and not screwed togeather. Saws All or a hacksaw should work fine. Edited July 31, 2015 by dirtclod Quote I'm old enough to know that i don't know everything.
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