What small assortment of stamping tools would be a good start?

Tallbald · January 27, 2011, 08:57:50 AM

I would like to purchase a few stamping tools that would let me accent the holsters I'd hope to make, but there are so many to choose from I'm somewhat overwhelmed. I'm such a novice I don't know what would be really good to have versus what would gather dust in the back of my small tool box. guidance would be appreciated. thank you, Don

TwoWalks Baldridge · January 27, 2011, 09:20:43 AM

Quote from: Tallbald on January 27, 2011, 08:57:50 AM
I would like to purchase a few stamping tools that would let me accent the holsters I'd hope to make, but there are so many to choose from I'm somewhat overwhelmed. I'm such a novice I don't know what would be really good to have versus what would gather dust in the back of my small tool box. guidance would be appreciated. thank you, Don

Don I find myself in the same position as yourself. What I have done is find 2 or 3 different designs I would like to put on holsters in the next couple months and then gotten those stamps that are needed. In my opinion, this will be a never ending process and with time, I will probably not use a couple of them more than a few times and other stamps will get used forever.

Dalton Masterson · January 27, 2011, 10:35:25 AM

Look at the Basic 7 set and start from there. Keep in mind that the tools in the set are a lesser quality than the ones you buy individually. Thats what my Tandy go told me anyway. I think a Z-prefix on the number denotes its from a set, but who knows if thats right.

With the basic 7 set, you have a camoflauge stamp and a veiner that can make nice basic borders to get you started. There will be a beveler in there as well, to bevel the edges of your border. Think basic designs to start with.

The attached pic is the sort of border that can be made with those stamps. This was made with a few of the Basic 7, with the addition of the flower, and a different cam.
Good luck, DM

bedbugbilly · January 27, 2011, 11:55:02 AM

tallbald - don't get overwhelmed on the stamps - as you go along, you'll discover what ones you need and what ones you don't. The suggestion to get the basic seven is a good one.- especially if your are going to do any "tooling". Try taking a look at some of the designs, borders, etc. on some of the photos posted on this forum. I don't do a lot of "tooling" as my eyesight isn't good enough - a lot of the fellas on this forum are "masters" at that and their work is beautiful! I, myself, pretty much stick to border stamping, etc. I have the basic seven stamps and also have picked up a number of "border stamps" along the way - either to use individually (one type of stamp for a border) or several together. I also have most of the Tandy "star" stamps - I like stars, what can I say?

Also, don't overlook the possibility of designing and making some of your own stamps. As an example - I am going to need some "half round" stamps for a project I have in mind - I'm going to use a 4 inch piece of 1/2" and 3/4" steel electrical conduit, saw and grind a portion away to give me a half round profile and then polish the stamping area with the buffing wheel. I'm also going to make some out of smaller diameter tubing when I can find some scrap pieces. I have a friend who makes some of his stamps out of regular hardware store bolts - usually "machine bolts" - he cuts the threads off and leaves the head for a good hitting surface - profiles the end to the design he wants and sometimes gets pretty creative with jeweler files to add designs - gives it a good polish and walla! - a unique stamp! Keep your eye out at flea markets for stamps as well as they show up sometimes at a really cheap price. In addition to "store bought" stamps, a little imagination and sorting through your "junk drawer" can allow you to come up with some unique stamps as well. Best of luck!

Marshal Will Wingam · January 27, 2011, 08:17:39 PM

The Basic 7 Starter kit includes a swivel knife and 6 stamps. After 30+ years, I've added a great number of stamps to my tool collection but I still use those first 6 stamps. Here's a link:

Tandy Basic 7 Starter Set

The Lucky 7 book is a great one for just getting the feel of how tooling is done. I dogeared mine when I first started.

Lucky 7 Book

FEATHERS · January 27, 2011, 08:33:03 PM

Tallbald,I started out like Dalton & the Marshal said,with the Lucky 7 book & tools,it's easy to progress from there.Take a look at Al Stohlman's holster book,it will give you the breakdown of tools required & when you are confident enough you just make up your own patterns using the tools you have.Best of luck.Feathers.

Dalton Masterson · January 27, 2011, 08:36:51 PM

Just remember to start small and simple. Let your hands learn how to use your tools before you tackle the "fancy" stuff!
The frustration and leather you save will make you stick with it!
DM

Slowhand Bob · January 28, 2011, 08:13:28 AM

It is my hope that the oldest grandson and I can take a beginners lesson at the nearest Tandy early this summer and the wife is even threatening to take it with us. I think she is just intimidating me because we both know she is the artist in the family! Even though I have a couple of other handicaps, not getting help early on played at least a small part in why I can not carve for ^^&%* today. A good teacher can help prevent you from picking up bad habits that would plague you from now on.

I will probably get the boy a Lucky Seven set for the class but give him the AS knives and mauls for starting out. I know opinions of the AS Brand do not rate very high here but I bought out the closest stores inventory on AS leather head mauls and was given a real special price, below wholesale, on a couple of sets of the three carving knives as a buying incentive. The wife really likes the AS Brand cause they are prettier than my old stuff!

Dalton Masterson · January 28, 2011, 09:42:58 AM

I like the ASB leather handled swivel knife, and the larger diameter barreled stainless one too. And the maul and nylon hammer is good as well.

SB, I too would like to take a few carving lessons, but my local Tandy is 3 hours away.

TallBald,
thats another good tip for you. If you have a chance to take a class, do it.
DM

Tallbald · January 28, 2011, 04:18:28 PM

Thanks folks. I hadn't thought about making my own. At this time all I hope to do is some border stamping. I have a tool and die background and with some imagination and the right steel I may be able to come up with something interesting all my own, at little or no expense. Leathercrafting just seems to offer more and more possibilities to me and I'm really excited. Don

Marshal Will Wingam · January 29, 2011, 08:07:35 PM

TB, I've made most of my stamps from bolts. The work great. Clay Miller makes his from stainless bolts and they're fine stamps. If you get the Basic 7 starter set, you'll see how they're made. With those and some Swiss files (and a checkering file if you wish), you're in business. There isn't much about right or wrong here, just what works. Here's a pic of a couple of them I made years ago from old bolts lying around to show you the low end of what works:

WaddWatsonEllis · January 31, 2011, 12:40:34 AM

Tall Bald,

First Your name makes me smile ... makes me think of what I put on a paddling form when they wanted a list of medical infirmities ...

I put:

Too old
Too fat
Too stifff
Too tired

Bald is coming along anon , but as long as I have a hat on I won't blind anybody ... *S*

BUT: back to the original reason for the post ... I went a bit different in my route .... I bought one of Will Ghormley's patterns, and they have a list of all the tools needed on the back ... so I just bought the tools on the back ...

I would also suggest working with WC for what you need ... WC personally handpicked the leather I needed ...
And when it came to tools, several times I was stopped from buying two tools (one initially and another when I found the first would not do what I wanted) ... several times I got the "Well we can and will sell you that tool if you wish, but many of the people who bought that tool came back and bought this one to replace the original ...

And here is their website:

http://sbearstradingpost.com/

JD Alan · January 31, 2011, 03:59:23 AM

+1 for WC & his store, Standing Bear's Trading Post in Reseda (LA) Calif. He sells Tandy and other brands as well. He will steer you right.

Slowhand Bob · January 31, 2011, 07:31:50 AM

At one time HideCrafters was getting into the custom stamp business with what I think was a line of their own stamps. Right before they started having problems they came out with a line of, I think stainless, stamps to go with their great library of books and videos on Sheridan carving. I can not say much about their quality?? but price wise they were about mid way between the Craft line and the much more expensive stamps offered by several others. Not sure of the status of HC as I was told that they are, or were, liquidating a lot of stuff on Ebay???

Dalton Masterson · January 31, 2011, 10:21:05 AM

I have a few of the HC stamps. They are not too bad quality wise. Wish I had more of them, but with them not having a catalog, it makes it hard to order them. Even with the online catalog its hard to tell what they have and dont have.
I ordered from them a few months back, and everything seemed to be alright as far as having stock and getting things shipped out.
DM

WaddWatsonEllis · January 31, 2011, 11:19:05 PM

Okay, Since Dalton threw down 'First Blood' with his pic, I am going to let loose ...

But I have a pretty good reason ... these pics show just how far you can 'modify a
a set of plans and still have it come out looking okay ...

I extended the loops to lower the holsters 3 inches ...

I raised the outside of the bucket to make it look more 1880-1890...

I then copied the cartridge belt and made a SASS Shotgun Cartridge Belt to match ....

And below in the inset is what the holsters are supposed to look like ...