I thoroughly enjoy how Google translates Mamoru’s name for this as “pothole”:
Does anyone know any English names for it?
I have seen it used for shaping stiffeners. Wet the leather, lay it over the hollow, and beat into the concave space.
Shoemakercraft has a nice description for the one he makes himself. It appears in the USMC tools book as a “Moulding block”.
The book of men’s shoe making uses it to curve the outsole around the heel and waist. I purchased the one from Mamoru. I will update Japanese tools post once I get it.
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Thanks so much! I just added to the wiki.
I’d be really interested to see dimensions for a commercial one posted online, if you’re up to it. Length, width and height of block. Diameter and depth of the depression. Seems like something a lot of people could DIY.
Note for others: @lexar4h1 posted a photo and measurements of one from Mamoru here:
Here’s my attempt at a homemade molding block, based mostly on @lexar4h1’s kind notes and measurements.
Mine is roughly 9 inches by 5 inches. It’s made of two scraps of 4S hardwood, for a combined thickness of about 1⅝ inches. The depression’s carved down to the bottom of the top layer.
The top layer is hard rock maple. Maybe that’s good for durability, longer term, with lots of hammering. But it’s certainly not easy to carve.
As a result, I don’t think I’ve got the depression cut out as round or as deep as I’ll want in the end. It’s really slow going with the hook knife and bent gouge I have available.
I might need to rig up some kind of conical sanding pad, chuck it up in a drill, and hammer it with coard sandpaper.
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I used the same dimensions posted in here to model up and print one of these. Happy to share the file if anyone wants one.
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Nice! So much cleaner than my hack job.
Did you print in PETG? I am getting sorely, sorely tempted to buy a 3D printer. Maybe build a Voron.
Ya, basically used the same filament/print settings I use for the lasts to make things nice and durable.
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I suspect you might like to mount it on a board to make it a bit wider, if you’ll be using on your lap. I’ve never used mine on a bench top. If you’re just laying it on a flat surface, that may not matter.
Figured I would try it on my counter as is. Maybe put a layer of scrap leather or cork on the base. Easy enough to print another one wider if on my lap ends up making more sense.
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