Large Frank James Rosette Stamp

[will ghormley]

I got an email from a customer who was having problems gettin' a good impression from his newly purchased Large Frank James Rosette Stamp.  He said the smaller one worked fine, but they had a hard time gettin' a good impression of the center of the large stamp.

I've never seen a stamp as large as this one.  It certainly takes a lot of psi to get the best impression.  I suggested some different ways to get a better impression, but got to thinkin' if there wasn't some way to make the stamp easier to use.  So, I decided to file down the edges of one of the large stamps and file off the excess metal around the edges to see if this made it easier to use.

I posted a photo of the modified large stamp and the impressions both stamps made.  The modified stamp wasn't any easier for me to use, and I don't think it made any better impression.  However, it may be easier for others to use, and some might like the impression better.  Here is a link to a photo.  You can decide for yourselves if it would be worth the forty-five minutes or so that it takes to file the stamp down and polish the edge.

http://www.willghormley-maker.com/Photos.html

Will

[Dalton Masterson]

Will,
I dont see a lot of difference. Mine has kind of an odd shaped center, and with that it requires me to hit the stamp hard from different angles by tipping the stamp around.
I can see where less of the outside edge would help with showing the center more, but mine has been alright to use.

Nice to see some of your other work on the link too.
DM

[Andy Rombach]

Hey Will
Great Rosett.... the modified one is little sharper. I think it works little better now. It nearly looks like the original on.... superb job!!!

So long
Andy Rombach

[Irish Dave]

My first thought would be to shorten the shaft substantially and use the rosette with an arbor press, much like for many maker's stamps.

Line it up, hold it down with the press lever, beat the crap out of the arbor top with a brass hammer.   

[Long Juan]

My daughter and I are the ones who emailed Will.  I thank him for his suggestions and it may be simply poor technique on our part.  Need to practice some and see where that leaves us.  I will also think about the filing-down exercise, as I think the one Will worked on looks a little better, crisper to me.  Dave's suggestion might be what we need, but do not have a press.  Our problem has been hitting as hard as we seem to be able to hit it, we end up with okay outside and little detail inside.  As I said at the beginning, we will practice and see what we get. 

[GunClick Rick]

Will,i've heard of******in tall cotton and wipin with the leaves,but never corn How about if ya went over the stamp with a shading tool or something on the impression?

And Will where did you ever find your leather beaded jacket?Did you make that one?

[Slowhand Bob]

I have a reall large brass head maul for those stamps that require a bit extra, even have seen really heavy lead alloy headed mauls before.  For the easist fix of all, just cut the stamps handle off completely and use it like an embossing plate under a mid-size arbour or hydraulic press.

[Springfield Slim]

I use my lead hammer for my larger stamps. I also make sure I cased it enough and waited long enough for it to soak in. If you get in a hurry it just doesn't take as well. Make sure you have a solid backstop under the leather also. I have a metal bench grinder stand with a piece of plastic cutting board on it. Don't want to crack my marble.

[Boothill Bob]

I used my leadhammer on them and tipped it around, but the handel broke
So I gind them down at the shaft end and use them in my homemade press, that
workes great.

[Drayton Calhoun]

It took a couple of looks, but the modiified stamp the veins on the petals have a smoother transition and a bit crisper detail. I love the rosettte.

[Cliff Fendley]

I use a big dead blow mechanics hammer for makers marks and large stamps. Will, it does look like the modified one gave a little better impression. The center has more detail and I like those sharp outside lines.

[will ghormley]

It's good to hear all the different ways folks are usin' to make the stamps work.

Rick, the beaded shirt is one I made.

Will

[Slickshot]

Will,

I looked at both impressions and in my own opinion I like the original stamp best.  The modified one just has a more pronounced edge, but other than that - no difference!  I like the original, as the edges around the rosette are beveled - I like this look better!

Slickshot