Repetitive leather stamping

[NVLeatherWorx]

Scribe a light line where you want your stamping and then align the stamp with the line while also making sure that the edges of the stamp just barely touch each other as you move along your line.  Try to not to overlap if you can as it can create a visual alignment issue that can be quite noticeable sometimes.  It all takes practice and we have all been there at one point in time so just keep working on it and it will become second nature to you.  

[Edgydave]

Very light pencil marks help too. And they can be easily erased!  Use a softer lead if possible and don’t press on the pencil. Just use the weight of the pencil and draw the line a few times until it’s visible. Another trick I use is painters tape. It leaves little to no residue. One tip, I always stick the tape to a piece of paper first, peel it off, and then stick it on the leather. Great for lining up letters and so on, anything you want in a straight line.  Any residue can be removed with an artists eraser, the white ones.

 

Dave

 

[Davm]

Well, not to reply to my own question but I figure we are sharing ideas.  I took a pair of dial calipers and set the spacing and used the sharp points to mark out-lightly- both the spacing between stamp marks and the distance of the stamp from the grooved line.  I then put the corner of the stamp over the mark which then disappears when the stamp is hit.  That's about the best I have come up with so far.

My idea about clamping a ruler had troubles.  You clamp at both ends but the middle is unsupported and the leather can bend in and out.  I did a row with the clamped ruler and when I took the ruler off the marks were bowed away from the grooved line.

   Some stamps are easier to use.  An arc or crescent has two points and you can line them up pretty good.  A triangle with a flat base, any little error in any direction is very noticeable.   I may try that pencil idea.  As recommended, I'm practicing on scrap pieces.

Edited December 31, 2018 by Davm