Replies

1. 
   mikeinohio | Jul 24, 2023 09:31pm | #1

   5 years ago I had an electric one made by Gearheart and have been happy with it.

   https://www.gearheartindustry.com/

   You need to provide the artwork for your branding iron, however, they do have a basic online design app if you don't have design software of your own.

2. 
   john_c2 | Jul 25, 2023 02:24am | #2

   I never cared for the branding irons, and the designs that were possible. I have a few steel stamps made by Infinity, and they're fantastic. They can make anything you design.

   https://www.infinitystamps.com/collections/our-most-popular-products/products/custom-metal-stamp

1. 
   joeleonetti | Jul 25, 2023 04:38pm | #4

   I've got both the Rockler branding iron and two size steel stamps from Infinity. Once I got the stamps from Infinity, I've stopped using the branding iron. From Lee Valley, I bought a letter and number stamp set for the date. I use my maker's mark from Inifinity then the Lee Valley numbers to stamp the date.

1. 
   Go_Bills | Jul 25, 2023 08:21pm | #8

   Thanks John & Joe-

   Can you tap the Infinity Stamp into your work with a hammer or does it need to be pressed?

1. 
   joeleonetti | Jul 26, 2023 07:01pm | #9

   I use a hammer.

2. 
   john_c2 | Jul 26, 2023 08:00pm | #10

   Hammer. I've never tried pressing. If I was going to stamp brass, I might try pressing.

3. 
   bilyo | Jul 25, 2023 01:43pm | #3

   If you decide not to go with a branding iron, you can go to an art supply store and get a fine point india ink pen. Use that to sign your name and date. India ink will not bleed into the surrounding wood like other ink markers and I have found that all of the finish materials that I use, like poly, shellac, lacquer, oil, etc., will not dissolve it and cause it to run. So, sign your wood or put on your first seal coat and then sign it. Then, apply what ever finish over it that you like. This may not be as permanent as branding, but it is more personal.

1. 
   Bdwyer492 | Jul 30, 2023 01:42pm | #16

   I have one from woodcraft. It works great.

   But, I'm not going to use it anymore. It's extremely difficult for me to get consistent results, horrible to try to undo, and far too stressful.

   I'm just going to sign with a pen

4. 
   joeleonetti | Jul 25, 2023 04:39pm | #5

   Other thing I can think of is that violin makers used paper label to put on the inside. I've seen some woodworkers use a paper label for their made by info. Looks classy as well. Quite a few options available to you.

5. 
   ola_carmonius | Jul 25, 2023 05:09pm | #6

   I never became real friend with the branding iron. Just didn't like the process and no turning back feeling after you put the heated iron on your work.

   So, a couple of years ago I ordered these "coins" from aliexpress. Price was around 100$ for 50pcs, custom with my logo embossed. Really like these, installed with epoxi in a ground 20mm hole. Gives a quite exclusive look to your work.

   
6. 
   joeblade | Jul 25, 2023 06:10pm | #7

   I prefer to sign and date my work with a burning pen. A quality burning pen such as those used by decoy carvers work great. I have one called DETAIL MASTER.

7. 
   user-7627473 | Jul 27, 2023 11:32am | #11

   Years ago when I was in the business of buying and selling antiques I became acquainted with the use of makers stamps and marks. There is such a wonderful variety and below selection just a minute fraction. The images do show what the most basic types are. Interesting the upper from the 18th c golden age of French furniture - the ebeniste stamps usually always first initial and last name (George Jacob, Claude Sene I, Martin Carlin) - and rarely aligned on the rail etc. Oddly in England during the period Chippendale it is generally agreed -never signed any furniture. I particularly like the "back to back E's" made with nails. When I was an apprentice luthier building classical guitars we used paper labels as is typical. I have acquaintance who uses a machine shop to make brass roundels with etched info which are epoxied on underside of pieces. The Heal example uses an "ivory" type roundel which is nice. Butlers brass plate screwed on is simple. So many options, thought I would pass along.

   
1. 
   joeleonetti | Jul 27, 2023 01:51pm | #12

   That's a really nice image. Thanks for sharing with all of us.

1. 
   user-7627473 | Jul 27, 2023 06:03pm | #13

   Sure, glad to

2. 
   john_c2 | Jul 28, 2023 08:34am | #14

   I save those types of label images when I come across them in books. But I never thought to put them together like that. Nice.

1. 
   user-7627473 | Jul 29, 2023 07:57am | #15

   thnx