New respect for basket stamping

[Gun Butcher]

   It might have been easier to get a store bought stamp and a grid to lay it out but, I had to do something different. So I made my own stamp and jumped right in.
Man , do I have a new respect for you pards that do such beautiful basket stamping. But I do enjoy making stamps
  Guess , I need to practice , practice , practice getting my stamp lined up and laid down in a straight line.
The holster pattern was taken from Packing Iron, page 87, upper right hand corner, with slight variations

[Johnny McCrae]

That looks pretty good to me. I look forward to seeing the completed Holster.

[Gun Butcher]

  Thanks  Johnnie, It is the first of twins and the next one might be easier

Oh, posted another pic so you can see the stamping easier.

[JD Alan]

GB, let me second that thought on basket stamping. I've found it to be very challenging.

I can't imagine making my own stamping tools, for several reasons. I'll be 60 in June, and I've never worked with metal, so no tools, no experience. I'm not feeling the call either! My eyesight and patience are not aligned with fine work like that.

I think you've got some great potential with that stamp, so go for it.

Here's a sample of stamping I tried with a Barry King stamp. He's got great stamps.

[Wiley Desperado]

Dang, Gun Butcher thats a cool stamp you made and the pattern looks plenty good to me.
Wiley

[Gun Butcher]

  Thankee kindly Wiley.
 
     JD, that is a great piece of work, really like the backgrounding on the edges. Is that somthing that a lot of people do or something you came up with? I can see where it would be a real advantage for the overall look of a piece

[JD Alan]

I've seen a few examples, so I thought I'd give it a try. I've got to make a belt that width with that basket stamp for a buddy. Unfortunately, he's not real excited about the flower border, so I told him to come choose one of the other borders I have, and we'll go for it.

I've also figured out a better way to align the stamping so it's even on both sides (at least I THINK I Have!)

The second picture you added really looks good. Keep at it.

[Johnny Dingus]

Gun Butcher,

Making a stamp and then using it to that degree must give a lot of satisfaction.  Specially when it looks that nice.

JD that basket stamp you got looks so clean and crisp great border too.

You guys rock!

Johnny Dingus

[Gun Butcher]

   Johnnie D.  I have to give the credit for the idea of making my own stamp to you guys on the forum. Marshall Will made it sound easy so I had to give it a try.
  The ability comes from spending a few of my misspent youth years in a machine shop where we built one of a kind prototype machinery and one-off dies. I was blessed with a good eye and the right touch to do some pretty fine work. Probabhly should have stayed with it, who knows.  But it has given me the ability to get myself in some real holes a few times 
JD let me know how your idea for the stamping goes and if you don't mind pass it on.

[cowboy316]

GB
very nice lookin stamp ya made there id like to see what it looks like so i could TRY
to duplicate it for my basket stamp work i like the pattern it make so if you could email me a pic
that would be cool thanks bud
       Cowboy316

[JD Alan]

Well GB, It's not rocket science for sure. Thanks to one of the pards here (don't remember who right off hand) I read about using a 30 degree line.

I made a number of lines, then stamped them with the 5 different basket stamps I have. Then I measured each one, to see how it would fit within the 1 1/2 inch belt.

From there I drew the center line so that the stamping would be an equal distance from the two edges. I don't know if that makes any sense or not! I guess I should take a picture of my guide to illustrate.

I'll bet I find lots of people do this, and I just hadn't read anything about it.   

[Marshal Will Wingam]

That makes a nice pattern, GB. Your stamp looks nice and symmetrical, one of the hardest things to accomplish. Looking forward to seeing the finished holster.

[Gun Butcher]

  Hey JD thanks for the info and it makes perfect sense. If you get a chance please take a pic of the guide it worked great on yours and I would like to see one.

Marshall Will you hit the nail again. Symmetrical is where the sight and touch comes in handy. Thanks

[santee]

Some great basket weaves!

[Ace Lungger]

GB, 
Great Job! That's what the old timers did! They didn't go to Tandy and buy there stamps, or ordered from Barry King, they made there own!! And I think you did a geat job! I my self like making stamps, and that is how I started, I had 4 Tandy stamps and then started making my own. My biggest problem is with my back, I get 6 month that I can play in the shop a couple hours a day, the other 6 months I am stuck in the house in bed!!
So, I have to decide how I want to spend my time?
I think you stamp is great!! Keep it up!
ACE

[Skeeter Lewis]

That's a useful talent, GB. Look forward to seeing the final product.

JD, it was I (before a change of name) who gave you the heads-up about 30 degrees. Nice work, and a nice Barry King stamp: great close-up.

In case anyone's interested, the advice on basketweave stamping I passed on to JD is available from Greyghost Graphics at  -

[PDF] Basketweave tutorial.cdr

[Gun Butcher]

  Thanks for the link Skeeter. I will give it a long hard look.

[JD Alan]

Thanks Skeeter, twice. Once for letting me know about Gray Ghost and the tutorial, and second, for reminding me where it's found!

[Johnny Dingus]

JD,

Here is a link to another leather site.  This guy that posted this how to does this for a living and does great work.  You might want to check this out.  http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=1995

Hope this helps.

Johnny Dingus

[JD Alan]

Thanks a bunch Johnny! I'll take all the help I can get. Evidently I'll need to register to read the post, but that's OK. I've bookmarked it, and will check it out Wednesday.

Bless you man! JD