Goofy Idea?

Johnny McCrae · October 08, 2008, 10:51:47 AM

I always had a little trouble working with a Stitch Groover for borders so I'm trying different methods to put borders on holsters. Attached are some pictures of an "Embossing Roller Tool" that I've designed. You use this tool very similar to a rolling pin. After you case the leather, you roll the tool along the edge using the adjustable yellow sleeve as a guide. It takes some practice to do this. I'm not entirely satisfied with the results but I do have a few ideas to improve this tool especially with the shape of the rollers. One thing it does do is make the two grooves parallel.

Do you think this idea has any possibilities or should I concentrate on learning how to do a better job of using Stitch Groover?

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk81/jvsaffran/Leather/100_0750.jpg

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk81/jvsaffran/Leather/100_0751.jpg

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk81/jvsaffran/Leather/100_0755.jpg

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk81/jvsaffran/Leather/100_0753.jpg

This is a practice holster I made using the roller for the borders.

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk81/jvsaffran/Leather/cas1.jpg

HorsePen Henry · October 08, 2008, 12:11:42 PM

Hi Johnny,
You are an inventive fella. I'd just keep on a doin' what yer a doin'. "Practice makes perfecter".
Maybe practice with the stitch groover and round the edges to create a halfround bead with yer roller. I wish we lived closer.
I think that's a neat idea.
X Horse Pen

Marshal Will Wingam · October 08, 2008, 02:51:28 PM

That certainly is a cool idea. After you use if for a while, you'll get it down and be able to make some improvements on it as you learn what works. Stay with it. It has possibilities. Be sure to post any more information you get. Pics. Post pics of your projects that use it, too.

cowboywc · October 08, 2008, 03:19:00 PM

Howdy Johnny
I don't think a stitch groover would be the right tool in the first place.
What you have made is just like a beader blade for a swivel knife. I have them in many different sizes
and they are much easier to control. If you don't have a beader blade you can carve two line anduse
a modeling spoon to round over the bead line. I also have a couple of hand made bead stamps that work
real good.
I'll try and post pix later.
WC

Johnny McCrae · October 08, 2008, 04:17:10 PM

Howdy Boys,
Many thanks for the kind words and encouragement.

WC, any information you have on beader blades would be greatly appreciated.

Springfield Slim · October 09, 2008, 10:49:33 AM

I have been using the Tandy Freehand stitching groover( 88074-11). I like to cut the grooves, not just make an impression, soaks up the antique dye better. Takes a bit of practice to keep 2 lines parallel though.
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c262/mwhyte123/outlawsheath.jpg

cowboywc · October 09, 2008, 01:01:04 PM

Howdy
Here is a pix of the 2 widest blades I have & the stamps. I also did a wide bead that I cut with a single blade
and used a modeling spoon to round over.
If you have any questions just ask.
WC

Johnny McCrae · October 09, 2008, 02:23:26 PM

Howdy WC,

Thank you very much for sharing your expertise and the great picture you posted. I have access to a friend's machine shop so I will try to make some custom bead stamps. I'll keep you posted on how I do with this project.

santee · October 11, 2008, 06:05:06 PM

Man. Some good tools, there, fellas.

Springfield Slim · October 12, 2008, 04:24:55 PM

So do those blade actually remove leather or just cut guide lines?

cowboywc · October 13, 2008, 10:35:28 PM

Quote from: Springfield Slim on October 12, 2008, 04:24:55 PM
So do those blade actually remove leather or just cut guide lines?

Howdy
The beader blade cuts 2 lines and rounds over the center to make a bead line. You bevel both sides of the
bead to make it stand up.
WC

JD Alan · October 14, 2008, 03:43:16 PM

Hey WC, JD here, new kid on the block. I like the look of those grooves, but I'm not sure what you did with the stamps. Are both sides done with the (for lack of a better word) double blades on the swivel knifes? Not sure what part the stamps played.

I've used the plastic gizmo from Tandy that you mount your swivel knife in, but that's about it.

Thanks!

Ace Lungger · October 14, 2008, 04:58:46 PM

:)hey Johnny, Great job, and great idea!! I had never saw anything like that1 I like!
Thanks for sharing that with us Johnny & CW.

Later ACE

cowboywc · October 14, 2008, 07:25:23 PM

Quote from: JD Alan on October 14, 2008, 03:43:16 PM
Hey WC, JD here, new kid on the block. I like the look of those grooves, but I'm not sure what you did with the stamps. Are both sides done with the (for lack of a better word) double blades on the swivel knifes? Not sure what part the stamps played.

I've used the plastic gizmo from Tandy that you mount your swivel knife in, but that's about it.

Thanks!

Howdy JD
The holster pattern on the right, the side by side bead lines were done with the 2 different bead blades
in the swivel knives. Those blades cut 2 lines and round over the center making the bead line.
The right side of the left holster pattern, the bead line was made with the bead stamp. You stamp and
walk the tool along a guide line. It does not cut a line.
The wide bead on the left side of the left pattern was done by carving the 2 lines and rounding the center
with a modeling spoon.
Hope this helps.
WC

outrider · October 15, 2008, 06:12:17 PM

Johnny,

Here's something I came up with. A small double brass pulley..drove out the shaft and inserted the wheel into a Tandy hand embosser handle. No alterations were needed the pulley wheel and the screw on the embosser were the same diameter. Makes for a nice evenly spaced line

Ten Wolves Fiveshooter · October 15, 2008, 07:08:41 PM

Howdy Outrider

Great idea, I think Johnny McCrae will really like this, it looks to make nice even parallel lines, and I assume the brass rollers are loose enough that they roll along and and are not pushed ( the pulley rollers move freely ) to make your indention in the leather, I'm going to have to give this a try, this will give my Tandy embossing roller another way to go. Thanks for sharing.

Take care

tEN wOLVES

Marshal Will Wingam · October 15, 2008, 09:37:54 PM

That's a great idea, pard. I guess I'll have to make a stop at the boat shop. Very nice.

Dalton Masterson · October 15, 2008, 09:43:51 PM

I bet with some file work that would also make an interesting border as well. Nice thinking all of ya! DM

outrider · October 16, 2008, 07:11:44 AM

Well, those pulleys usually come with two wheels..you could file one to make an interesting border .

Johnny McCrae · October 16, 2008, 07:58:46 AM

Howdy Outrider,
Using a small pulley for a roller is a great idea. I was going to have my machinist friend machine a roller but now I will check my local hardware and boat store to see what they have. Attached is a PDF file of a roller design that I was thinking of making.

Howdy WC,
You have been a big help to me. I am practicing making borders with a swivel knife and modeling spoon. I'm also in the process of trying to make a couple of custom border stamps.

I have some free time now and I'm trying out every idea I get. I will post my progress. As I've mentioned before, the Leather Shop is a great source of Ideas, Suggestions and Encouragement. Many thanks to everyone!