Leatherworkers - can I engrave then tool?

Here are pictures. This leather was .113" thick, fairly substantial. I first did scores and cuts at 20% and 40% power and 100 in/min. It cut pretty deep, more than 1/2 way through.

Then I did a set of 5,10,15,20% power at 197 in/min or top speed for cutting and scoring (really made no difference as to score or cut. 5% power cuts just about through the top dense layer, on this leather about .02" deep. I used masking tape as a masking.

Although the 5% had the lightest char, all of the cuts and scores had darkened the leather noticeably. That may be the determining factor for you in terms of tooling and beveling.

I didn’t have a bevel punch, but made do with some point of a hook tool and the fine and spade tools. Here is a picture dump.
Cuts were about 1.5 inches high.

Higher power cuts.

Lower power cuts.


My poor attempt at a bevel.

Cross section.

I hope this helps. Let me know if there is something else I can explain or do.

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