Custom size etching machine hand marker

[AVigil]

Big thanks and credit to Brian Fellhoelter on how to make a custom size etching machine hand marker. He posted how to make one on Knifedogs so I decided to make a couple and share it here.

I made this from a carbon block. You can use a motor brush as well. Here is the list of things to make it.

Carbon Block $7 from Ebay. It can be used to make several heads

10-24 3" Stainlesss bolt, washer and nut

Wood dowel


The carbon block was to size, drilled and tapped. I cut 2 blocks one for each size of stencil for my logo.

Drilled a hole into a wood dowel for a handle and wrapped it in electric tape.

Assemble it together and use a rubber band to hold on the felt. The felt comes from Michael s and is cut to size.

Attach to the etching machine and it makes a nice mark with the custom size hand markers for your stencils.

Total cost is less then $4 each hand marker.

This gives you the freedom to make any size head you want. Really does a great job and a big improvement for those who are making their own machines or are using Q tips for marking.

 

[Daniel Rohde]

Cool! I haven't seen any tutorials for making a Carbon marker
I have a few questions though if you or others could clear up for me.
-do you have a link to his tutorial?
-does this work the same as this?-http://usaknifemaker.com/etching-supplies-c-53/hand-marker-1-2-x1-5-uses-screen.html
-what are these types of pads for?http://usaknifemaker.com/etching-su...marker-1-2-x1-5-replacement-screens-10pk.html I'm just used to the plain felt pads and never really figured this out.
-does a carbon pad work similar to a metal pad in that it just conduct the electricity?
-how is this better than a metal pad?
Thanks for putting that up and it really doesn't look to be to hard of a build but very interesting hadn't thought of making one!
DR....

 

[AVigil]

Here is a good thread on it. http://knifedogs.com/showthread.php?37901-Anybody-know

Yes it will work the same but there is no need to use expensive pads. A peice of felt is about 25 cents and you can cut a dozen pads from it.

Yes the carbon is to conduct electricity.

It is better because it does the same thing but for much less money and you can make several sizes for different size stencils.