Embossing machine

Hill Creek Mike · February 16, 2011, 03:28:33 AM

Does anyone know the name of the man in northern Oklahoma who builds this leather embossing machine? It is hand cranked and you use your foot to apply roller pressure. I talked to the man a year or so ago but have lost his name and #. He also makes the rollers. He offered the machine on E-Bay at one time but I don't find them now.

Slowhand Bob · February 16, 2011, 07:36:39 AM

Yes, he has quite a few auctions running on ebay right now. Something new he has just added, least the first one I have seen. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220739698841&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT This should allow you to find the many other items he is listing as well as contact info to Duck Creek Traders. Sure hope he can add a selection of western style revolver models in this price range.

I have his embossing roller and really like it much better than the ones Tandy has marketed over the years. Though it lacks the heavy feel of the one Tippmann offers, I think it even has an operation advantage or two over theirs. With the Duck Creek version one can handle any diameter embossing roll, with one inch bore, and pressure is applied by foot pedal. The open end design with foot pressure lever allows extremely quick changeovers compared to others I am familiar with. http://www.bunkhousetools.com/

Marshal Will Wingam · February 16, 2011, 11:12:42 AM

That's a very decent looking embosser, Mike. One of those looks like a good one. It'll be nice to see some of your work where you've use it.

Welcome to the forum. Glad to have you with us.

bedbugbilly · February 16, 2011, 09:24:45 PM

Just curious - anybody ever used one of his "embossing dies" - i.e. - the ones that he makes to be used with a press? If so, how do they seem to work - good impression? Thanks.

Slowhand Bob · February 16, 2011, 11:00:05 PM

Yes, the plastic one are actually much better detail. A while back I posted about the new generick plates he is doing. One is a large square plate of standard basket weave and the other is a square plate of floral, both of which allow you to cut the size and shape you need from the plates. Most of his current offerings can be seen at the above address as a slide show.

bedbugbilly · February 17, 2011, 11:16:48 AM

Slowhand - I remember the post you're talking about - just didn't "click"with me when I read this thread. I keep "experimenting" (and learning!) with different things. I'm not looking at "large" dies, but would like to delve further in to the use of an arbor press to "emboss" - smaller size dies such as my leather maker's stamp, masonic stamps, etc. and even the possibility of using it to do embossed "stampings" - which would require me to make an "adapter" for the ram and affixing a cut-off stamp - that is just at the thinking stage though as I don't know if it's feasible to do that or not. I've read on another board where some use the drill press for that function in which case, the stamp handle could just be clamped in the chuck. At any rate - there is a questiion here. For the larger "basket weave" dies, I'm assuming that you would be using a hydralic press?? Have you, or anybody else, had experience with the little arbor presses that Harbor Freight sells? They have a 1/2 ton and a 1 ton - which look like they would be adaptable for smaller dies with the use of steel plates, etc. Just how much pressure is required to emboss with one? (with the leather being "cased"). i.e. - does it have to be "reefed on" or with the mechanical advantage of the lever and feed mechanism to the ram, to you have to be careful not to "over emboss"? Which would be the better one to purchase - the 1/2 ton or the 1 ton? Thanks for any input/advice - it's greatly appreciated!

Hill Creek Mike · February 17, 2011, 11:58:38 AM

Thanks Slowhand

That's the machine and the man.

I don't have the machine yet but I am working on getting one. Sure would save a lot of time.

Hill Creek Mike · February 17, 2011, 12:33:19 PM

Billy
I have one of the little 1/2 ton presses. I had a friend bore a hole in the ram and put two set screws in the sides. It works well but it is slow. I did this to save time but it didn't work out that way.
On well cased leather you can get a nice deep impression with out breaking your arm.
One model of the 1 ton press come with a hole already in the ram.
I have not used any of the plates yet but I will and report what I find.