Metal Stamps

[n stephenson]

Does anyone have information on making metal stamps for hot stamping forged blades , gun furniture ,  ect. I also want to know if there is much difference in a hot stamp versus cold. I have seen tutorials on youtube but not really anything too usable. I have received info. reguarding the use of CNC mills and EDM machining techniques and they produce very nice stamps.I don`t have access to this equiptment so, I`m looking for methods I may use "on the cheap" as in homemade. I do have a forge and torchset for metal heating.Back in the old days so much stuff was stamped and hallmarked I know someone has to know how these were made using non modern tools. I`m not looking for a source to buy them but info. on making them. Thanks in advance for your input. Nathan

[WadePatton]

Does anyone have information on making metal stamps for hot stamping forged blades , gun furniture ,  ect. I also want to know if there is much difference in a hot stamp versus cold. I have seen tutorials on youtube but not really anything too usable. I have received info. reguarding the use of CNC mills and EDM machining techniques and they produce very nice stamps.I don`t have access to this equiptment so, I`m looking for methods I may use "on the cheap" as in homemade. I do have a forge and torchset for metal heating.Back in the old days so much stuff was stamped and hallmarked I know someone has to know how these were made using non modern tools. I`m not looking for a source to buy them but info. on making them. Thanks in advance for your input. Nathan

I'm interested as well.  I'm sure I could hire a waterjet or other modern sort of outfit to make one for me, but that's not "how we roll" now is it?

Personally, I've an idea for a small branding iron for wood marking, but haven't attempted to make it yet.

Mom has gotten insistent that I sign the work of things I've made for her. I know I could micro-etch the blade of her knife, but I'd rather do something more traditional and ALSO something I can feasibly make.  And I didn't make the blade, so it'd be out of place in my mind. 

Thanks for posting the Q. Nathan, maybe we get some good A's.

[WadePatton]

This thread sent me scampering across the web and here's some information on making.  Also I found a company that has been doing it since 1898-and would hire them if I was ready to spend money on such.  Looks like they can do anything.

I'm sure if you've searched you've seen these, but I hadn't and maybe others will find the links handy.

DIY:
http://anvilfire.com/iForge/tutor.php?lesson=jdpunch2/demo

Pay up:
http://henryaevers.com/

or:
http://www.piehtoolco.com/contents/en-us/d1593_Hand_Stamps_%28Touchmarks%29.html

[Smoketown]

Try a couple of these topics.   

http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=8.0

http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=10838.0


Mark Elliott wrote - our own David Crisali likes to make little things like that and might be able to help you out.

http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=1138.0

Cheers,
Smoketown

[kutter]

Forgot to add that N-Graver Corp makes custom stamps too. Not bad prices either.
 Custom steel stamps, our own make.  Upper case semi-condensed Gothic.  1/16” size characters.  Allow 10 days.
                                No. 1    1-4 figures............................ 40.00
                                No. 2    5-8 figures............................ 50.00
                                No. 3    9-12 figures.......................... 60.00
Special custom stamps, send design for prompt quote and delivery info.

(Any font type other than Gothic is extra though.)

http://www.ngraver.com/finishing.htm

I don't think Ray sells sets of letter and number stamps anymore.

[Clark Badgett]

It seems that most of the older items that I've ever viewed over the past 30 years, if marked, were usually marked with the makers name and often city, state. Some of the English markings had extra symbols or bragging rights on them. It seems many comtemporary makers wish to have a symbol to mark with.

I'm considering having a simple stamp made up with my first intial and last name in an antiquated font to mark my stuff with until I learn to engrave.