Material for leather embossing plates?

[estes53]

Am planning to buy a Shopbot Desktop to make 6"X10" plates for embossing leather, for shoes, in a 7 ton or 15 ton press.

Understand that the optimum material, steel, can't be cut on that machine, but am hoping that someone has enough experience to advise.

My ideas are polymer sheet for the initial run and then if it turns out to be a popular one do it on copper or brass so it will last longer.

Thanx in advance,
Alan

[CNYDWW]

It's going to be hard making long lasting dies for embossing leather out of plastics. I have found that Nylatron® 4.6 has some nice properties. It would probably last a while using a large dia rod for a maker's mark etc. but don't know about a large press.

Regards
Randy

[bobmoore]

I would suggest making and perfecting your design in plastic and farm out the perfected design for a steel duplicate. You will probably save a lot of money by doing the leg work yourself. Bob

[estes53]

After a little more research, have decided to buy a milling machine.