DIY Branding Irons?

Wow… 117 views, but no replies. :( Hmm… guess this isn’t a common idea?

-- -Sam

I’ve got nothing. I’ve seen this question posted before. Most got about the same response as yours if memory serves me right.. I found a branding iron with initials (DE if I remember correctly). I always wondered if I could re-cut but its never made it to the top of my list.

-- http://timetestedtools.net - Collecting is an investment in the past, and the future.

It could be done. Engrave your design into a chunk of copper or brass. Perhaps carbide burrs in a Dremel tool to do the engraving. Attach your custom “brand” to an old heavy duty soldering iron…

Thanks Stephenw, that’s an interesting idea.

-- -Sam

Hey Sam, I got a branding iron for Christmas and when I posted my first branded board ,SawSucker commented that he had made his own brand. He didn’t give any details but if you look him up he might be able to help.

-- Everyone calls me Ed or Eddie , mom still calls me Edward if she is mad at me.

Sam, I use a branding iron but also use rubber stamps
for some of my customers own logos. Once oiled it also looks
great and for $5 including artwork you cant go wrong. It also
gives you a chance to try different designs.
Alternately if you look on woodgears he has a pantograph that
you could use a dremel on and engrave a block of brass. Great thing
about this way is you do the large artwork in plywood then when the
pantograph reduces it you have a very neat looking design.
He also has a font generator that can do mirror image.
Would like to see how you go with it.
Jamie

Edit. http://woodgears.ca/pantograph/index.html

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Personalized-Mounted-Custom-Rubber-Stamp-Return-Address-/260793282223?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cb87daeaf

-- Who is the happiest of men? He who values the merits of others, and in their pleasure takes joy, even as though 'twere his own. --Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Yep, I made a branding iron. I used steel, and it has my initials.

I made my own branding iron many many years ago from a 3/8” square head bolt. I used my Dremel tool with abrasive wheels to cut away what I didn’t want. I epoxied it into a wooden handle I had lying around and I heat it up with the propane tourch or on the gas stove. It ain’t perfect but I use it anyways. It was one of my first metalworking projects. Today I’d just put a chunk of steel on the mill and have at it, that was then this is now.
MIKE

-- See pictures on Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/ And visit my Facebook page - facebook.com/MTEnterprises

Mike I prefer your one to my precision made one
It is hand crafted for hand crafted pieces
Jamie

-- Who is the happiest of men? He who values the merits of others, and in their pleasure takes joy, even as though 'twere his own. --Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Jamie, thanks for your compliment.
My only problem with it is it’s a bit too big for some of the projects I do now so I just sign them with a ultra fine Sharpie and cover it with Minwax water base polycrylic before my regular finish. Sharpies are solvent based so it has to be covered by a water base clear coat first or it will bleed.
MIKE

-- See pictures on Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/ And visit my Facebook page - facebook.com/MTEnterprises

Mike, time to make a wee one then?
When I use inks I give them a wee dab of
finish normally Danish oil, I dont rub though, I’ve
smudged a fair few in the past. :( Normally a rush
order to boot.
jamie

-- Who is the happiest of men? He who values the merits of others, and in their pleasure takes joy, even as though 'twere his own. --Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

I’ve made several for my work. At one point I did custom orders of them in my Etsy shop, perhaps I should do that again.

-- Lis - Michigan - http://www.missmooseart.com - https://www.etsy.com/people/lisbokt

I’m wondering if a guy could use a Dremel tool and a diamond bit to carve around a deisign on a block of brass to make a simple branding iron or signature block. Has anyone tried this? Once the snow hits and I have time to spend in the shop I give this a try and report back.

Yes, basically what I did.
MIKE

-- See pictures on Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/ And visit my Facebook page - facebook.com/MTEnterprises

I have made several branding irons, using multiple techniques. They are simple in the concept, heated with a torch, and all utilize a steel block to act as a base for the design and to work as a heat sink.

Technique #1- Make your design out of thin strips of steel or stainless steel (be sure to reverse it) and then braze them to the base block. The strips should be a minimum of 20 gauge, and about 3/16 high to be easy to work.

Technique #2- Make the design out of 1/8” thick copper, brazed to the base block as above. Here you need to create the design and reverse it in your software, then print it. Glue the printed design to the copper stock and cut it out using a jeweler’s saw. Be sure to plan some webbing if there are design elements that will be separate in the brand. Braze it to the base and last, carve away the webs using a Dremel or similar tool.

With these techniques (and some welding skill) you can make all sorts of branding irons!

-- Minnesota Woodworkers Guild, Past President, Lifetime member.