Stamping name/numbers on an octagon barrel

[mountainman70]

Greeting to all;Thanks for the info on engraving tools.may I live long enuff to get decent at it.I would like to know what you guys use to hold letter/number stamps when doing this on octagon barrels.my hand is reasonably steady,would like something to hold them correctly.Thanks,Dave

[David R. Pennington]

My machinist neighbor made a jig to clamp the stamps together in a line. He also made spacers to fit in between words. I don't remember exactly how he held  it in relation to the barrel, but I think he had the barrel clamped in his drill press vise and had the jig indexed some how. I remember he had problem with the stamps not being made accurately. These were supposed to be quality American made. The supplier let him take several sets to his shop and try to pick out ones that would line up with each other. He ended up buying a cheap Chinese set and they all lined up! 

[Mtn Meek]

The company B-Square used to make a steel stamping guide.  You might check with them to see if it is still available.

[rsells]

Brownells and B-Square offer stamping guides.
                                                      Roger Sells