Cutting Leather Forms With A Press Cutter?

[Benjalatte]

Hey Forum,

I watched a video recently where a leatherworker used a form cutter to press wallet inserts out of a sheet of leather. His work was superb. I'm not sure of the rules of linking to a youtube video here, but if you search for "Leodis Leather Making a Handmade Leather Wallet", you'll see what I mean at about 0:55. It's like a cookie cutter attached to a block of wood. It's then driven into the leather to press-out the insert shape using what I think is a snap press, though a modified drill press would work.

Looks like a good way to save time, create uniform products and prevent errors.

My questions are; does anyone know where to find these? Better yet, has anyone ever tried custom making something like this? Could it cut things larger than inserts, like say the wallet outer?

In my head, it's just tin ribbon bent to the desired shape and then attached to a board by any number of means (I think I'd solder inlets or punch out tabs and then screw it to the block). It may or may not require sharpening, though I'd assume that the rigidity and thickness of the leather dictates that. I also might be underestimating how well pressure alone could cut through 3oz +/- veg tan.

What do you guys think?

Cheers,

Ben

[Thor]

It's no problem at all linking to youtube. Ian Atkinson is known here...

This is the referred video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4meaY6lWOMw

I believe the correct term is a rule die what you are looking for. I wouldn't bother of making my own as it is really time consuming. If you look at the top banners you'll find this company within the US http://www.usacuttingdie.com/ It will be less stressful to send them a template and have one made up than making it yourself. Plus if it's not done right it's up to them to fix it and not your waste of money.

If I would know how far along Ross is with his planning on making clicker dies I'd be suggesting him. He's also a member of the forum.

If you're having access to a laser cutter I would look into that option before making a clicker die.

[Benjalatte]

Thanks, Thor!

Great to have a name for them, and especially good to know where to find them, were I so inclined.

I looked and looked, but I think I was focused on all the wrong traits about it.

Thanks again. Cheers,

Ben

[JLSleather]

You might look up "clicker die". I personally find them helpful with detailed parts or curves, but a waste of time and money for straight cuts (by the time you set up the die, you could have cut it with a knife).

[JerseyFirefighter]

It's no problem at all linking to youtube. Ian Atkinson is known here...

This is the referred video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4meaY6lWOMw

I believe the correct term is a rule die what you are looking for. I wouldn't bother of making my own as it is really time consuming. If you look at the top banners you'll find this company within the US http://www.usacuttingdie.com/ It will be less stressful to send them a template and have one made up than making it yourself. Plus if it's not done right it's up to them to fix it and not your waste of money.

If I would know how far along Ross is with his planning on making clicker dies I'd be suggesting him. He's also a member of the forum.

If you're having access to a laser cutter I would look into that option before making a clicker die.

I am absurdly jealous at his organizational abilities. That thread drawer...