Kev Posted April 27, 2021 Share Posted April 27, 2021 I have the Rockler branding iron and I've never been that happy with it. It seems to take forever to heat up enough to do a fair job. My kids got it for me several years ago so, it doesn't have my actual logo on it so, thinking it might be time for an upgrade. Because of it's downsides, it doesn't see as much use as it should and I find myself signing pieces with a sharpie more than I use the iron. I'm also considering just going to a burning pen so, I'm curious if anyone is signing their pieces this way? If so, what equipment are you using? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodenskye (Bryan) Posted April 27, 2021 Share Posted April 27, 2021 I never thought branding irons worked that well, since you are try to keep small. A sharpie probably gives the best overall results. I am curious how an electro etcher like knife makers use would work on wood. The stencils are really clear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev Posted April 27, 2021 Author Share Posted April 27, 2021 50 minutes ago, Woodenskye (Bryan) said: I never thought branding irons worked that well, since you are try to keep small. A sharpie probably gives the best overall results. I am curious how an electro etcher like knife makers use would work on wood. The stencils are really clear. I've watched Ashley Harwood use the pen to sign freehand and it looks really nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkinneb Posted April 27, 2021 Share Posted April 27, 2021 Interested to see what you decide. I have been thinking about a branding iron for a while but the reviews seem to be all over the map almost to the point that I wonder if there is a learning curve some folks aren't aware of. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev Posted April 27, 2021 Author Share Posted April 27, 2021 18 minutes ago, pkinneb said: Interested to see what you decide. I have been thinking about a branding iron for a while but the reviews seem to be all over the map almost to the point that I wonder if there is a learning curve some folks aren't aware of. The learning curve on the one I have is to let it heat up for around 1/2 hour prior to use...lol 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chet Posted April 27, 2021 Share Posted April 27, 2021 1 hour ago, Kev said: I've watched Ashley Harwood use the pen to sign freehand and it looks really nice! I was going t say this and she mentioned in her first series on Marc's guild a specific make and pen tip that see liked. The branding iron that I got this past Christmas has done well so far it takes about ten minutes to warm up. 1 Quote "Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." - Epicurus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted April 28, 2021 Share Posted April 28, 2021 I too have the one from Rockler and found that uneven pressure gives uneven results. I made a small jig with the opening the height of the iron and it fits over a strip of wood sized to about 1/8” space top and bottom. I can then make several brands on thin strips of different types of woods and cut them to length, discarding any that didn’t come out as desirable. These are then glued to the work piece. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie Posted April 28, 2021 Share Posted April 28, 2021 Have any of you tried the ones that you heat with a torch? I’ve been thinking about going that route and didn’t like the electric idea with the element wearing out in a few years was my thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev Posted April 28, 2021 Author Share Posted April 28, 2021 8 minutes ago, Jamie said: Have any of you tried the ones that you heat with a torch? I’ve been thinking about going that route and didn’t like the electric idea with the element wearing out in a few years was my thought. I have not tried it.. The reason why is that you only get one shot at having enough heat to make the brand. With the electric, if it's not hot enough when you apply it, you just hold it longer...lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie Posted April 28, 2021 Share Posted April 28, 2021 16 minutes ago, Kev said: I have not tried it.. The reason why is that you only get one shot at having enough heat to make the brand. With the electric, if it's not hot enough when you apply it, you just hold it longer...lol Very good point. I really like the idea of branding over a sharpie, if the piece ever gets refinished there is a chance that the history will be lost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev Posted April 28, 2021 Author Share Posted April 28, 2021 7 minutes ago, Jamie said: Very good point. I really like the idea of branding over a sharpie, if the piece ever gets refinished there is a chance that the history will be lost. I usually sign pieces in a place where it would probably survive a refinish.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chet Posted April 28, 2021 Share Posted April 28, 2021 29 minutes ago, Jamie said: if the piece ever gets refinished there is a chance that the history will be lost. Are you talking about when someone buys one of you pieces in an antique store decades from now, takes it home and paints it. Lol 4 Quote "Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." - Epicurus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted May 2, 2021 Share Posted May 2, 2021 And then one of the syndicated home improvement shows strips the paint and reveals your name, well after we can appreciate it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.