Bree Report post Posted January 4, 2009 I am always looking for flatting hammers for some reason. I like them wide and with a nice flat bottom but very rounded edges. Anyways I am over at the Gourmet food store and lo and behold is this cool steel espresso tamper which fits a 1 1/2 inch belt perfectly being a little more than 1 3/4" in diameter. So I buy it and I love this thing. I thought I would share some PIX of it. I don't know just how useful it will be but I just love having it! Here is where you can get one for $10. http://www.amazon.com/Danesco-Kaffe-Functi...1648&sr=1-1 It's probably better for flatting leather than espresso tamping because of the rounded edges. Anyhoo... I thought you all might get a kick out of it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jbird Report post Posted January 4, 2009 Cool idea I am going to try one. Josh Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
badger Report post Posted January 4, 2009 Bree, Nice idea Following your lead: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Large-Black-Blue-Esp...p3286.m63.l1177 I'm getting one. Cheers, Karl Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bree Report post Posted January 5, 2009 I think you'll like them... even that one without the rounded edges. If they don't work on leather they will be nice for your espresso!! LOL! You could also use it to pound out minor dents on your truck! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scott1952 Report post Posted January 5, 2009 Ok, I have a nubie question, what is flatting? My mechanic mind tells me it is pounding leather flat, but this makes too much sense. Scott. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bree Report post Posted January 5, 2009 Ok, I have a nubie question, what is flatting? My mechanic mind tells me it is pounding leather flat, but this makes too much sense. Scott. LOL!! You got it! Making something flat that doesn't want to stay flat. I guess the term flatting hammer comes from blacksmiths. And they have nice flatting hammers but they aren't good for leather problems. One use for this little beauty is to "flatten" two pieces that I have just bonded with Barge cement. I want to apply pressure to make sure that all areas of the two pieces of leather bond together but I don't want to mark the leather in any way. If I pound on it with an ordinary hammer, it leaves a circular impression... not good. This little gizmo will allow me to "rub" the pieces down or even tap on them without making marks. I used to watch this shoemaker bonding taps and sole protectors to shoe soles. He used to bond them with Barge cement, put them on a last, and then take a wide flat hammer to pound in the cement. If he had a surface that he didn't want any marks on he took the hammer face and grabbed it and "rubbed" the glue in with a circular motion so that no marks appeared on the adjoining surface. So I guess I am always looking for something to imitate that shoemaker who I liked to watch. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jbird Report post Posted January 5, 2009 It's basicly a the same thing as a bouncer it is used to glue things together and rub flat or smooth depending on what you are doing in leather a smooth surface that is round on the corners is a must so call it a flattner or a bouncer or a hammer that's the mane use. Josh Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scott1952 Report post Posted January 5, 2009 Ah ha! Learn something new everyday on this site! Thanks Scott Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
