Members Studio-N Posted August 3, 2016 Members Report Posted August 3, 2016 Hello. I know some beginners have problems keeping their letters aligned. This is an overlay lettering guide for 1" letters onto a 1 1/2" belt or strap that will hold the letters straight. It's constructed of 1/4" aluminum with a 1.52" channel that goes over the belt and the cutout can accommodate 12 letters. I did this for my final machining project. I learned a lot while cutting it. Mostly I learned I DON"T want to make another. It's difficult to hold and chattered and warped a bunch! Anyway, the Dallas Maker Space leather SIG is having a belt making class this weekend so I thought I'd donate it to them. Cheers! "Out of my mind.....back in 5 minutes"
Members billybopp Posted August 3, 2016 Members Report Posted August 3, 2016 Nice lookin' tool! And quite useful. Keeping letters centered can be a bitch! Bill
Members builderofstuff Posted August 3, 2016 Members Report Posted August 3, 2016 Very cool! Nicely done. Chris Just a man, a shop, and a long list of unfinished projects..... My Website My Etsy Shop
Members Studio-N Posted August 4, 2016 Author Members Report Posted August 4, 2016 thank you. "Out of my mind.....back in 5 minutes"
bikermutt07 Posted August 4, 2016 Report Posted August 4, 2016 Well, that was a tease. Nice job on the template. I'm not paying 80 bucks for a belt!!! It's a strip of leather. How hard could it be? 4 years and 3 grand later.... I have a belt I can finally live with. Stitching is like gravy, it's only great if you make it every day. From Texas but in Bossier City, Louisiana.
Members Studio-N Posted August 4, 2016 Author Members Report Posted August 4, 2016 thank you. For me this was a school project. I'm interested to see what the evil empire is coming out with. Nothing on their website yet. "Out of my mind.....back in 5 minutes"
Members Studio-N Posted August 26, 2016 Author Members Report Posted August 26, 2016 for those that wondered, HERE is the letter guide from the evil empire. I like mine better but no way to get the price that cheap. "Out of my mind.....back in 5 minutes"
Members Halitech Posted August 27, 2016 Members Report Posted August 27, 2016 I agree, yours is better if you only use 1 size stamps. I'm not sure how well their adjustable one will stand up to use over time though Personally, I put down a long piece of green painters tape and line up my letters with that. May be low tech but it works for me Every day you learn something is a good day. If you don't learn something every day, was it worth waking up for?
Members stu925 Posted August 27, 2016 Members Report Posted August 27, 2016 Your timing is perfect since Tandy just announced their guide. It's too bad you're not interested in making more, you could probably out sell them 2 to 1. Yours is a much better design. Stu
Members Studio-N Posted August 27, 2016 Author Members Report Posted August 27, 2016 20 hours ago, Halitech said: I agree, yours is better if you only use 1 size stamps. I'm not sure how well their adjustable one will stand up to use over time though Personally, I put down a long piece of green painters tape and line up my letters with that. May be low tech but it works for me I could probably adapt mine some, but it just takes too long to machine on a manual mill. Maybe after I get access to a metal cutting CNC machine. I made this as a donation to a local maker space and it looks like they liked it. I think your painter tape idea is great. I personally just lay a ruler on the leather but anything that works is good. cheers! "Out of my mind.....back in 5 minutes"
Members Studio-N Posted August 27, 2016 Author Members Report Posted August 27, 2016 7 hours ago, stu925 said: Your timing is perfect since Tandy just announced their guide. It's too bad you're not interested in making more, you could probably out sell them 2 to 1. Yours is a much better design. Stu thank you Stu. it is milled so time is what makes it get expensive. no way I could complete with China. I think I might make another sometime. cheers! "Out of my mind.....back in 5 minutes"
Members Halitech Posted August 27, 2016 Members Report Posted August 27, 2016 just to toss ideas out to you, maybe if you had the top bar be adjustable from both ends you could have something more usable with all the sizesand only have to make 2 pieces instead of the 4 like tandy is using. I think that would be more sturdy then their. Every day you learn something is a good day. If you don't learn something every day, was it worth waking up for?
Members Studio-N Posted August 27, 2016 Author Members Report Posted August 27, 2016 19 minutes ago, Halitech said: just to toss ideas out to you, maybe if you had the top bar be adjustable from both ends you could have something more usable with all the sizesand only have to make 2 pieces instead of the 4 like tandy is using. I think that would be more sturdy then their. yes, that is actually what I had thought about as well. again - I may make another sometime. so many fun projects ahead of that in the queue. "Out of my mind.....back in 5 minutes"
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