Machined stamps

Nathan the Machinist

Nathan the Machinist

KnifeMaker / Machinist / Evil Genius
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Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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Feb 13, 2007
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No, this isn't a service that I'll be offering. I don't usually make these but my favorite Paranoid Nutjob wanted a set and it looked like a good Sunday afternoon project for me.

...More than one beer was consumed during the construction of these stamps...

These are frequently made with little tapered cutters in graphite which are then used to burn the mark into the steel. It is a lot more dificult, from a machining point of view, to cut the mark standing out of the part like this than it is to engrave it into a trode and burn it (which is why I don't normally do this)

He wanted a very simple very small stamp, which is the one on the right. That is a tiny machined detail right there. I was worried it wouldn't read well so I made a larger twin just in case.

1.jpg


3.jpg



Large filthy machinist thumb included for scale...

The little guy marked just fine (I swear, my crappy eyes can't even see that thing while just holding it like that). I thought this was a cool project so I thought I'd share...
 
That came out nicely. It's a very clean stamp; almost looks etched.

What kind of steel did you use for the stamps and how hard are they?
 
fumbler said:
That came out nicely. It's a very clean stamp; almost looks etched.

What kind of steel did you use for the stamps and how hard are they?
Click to expand...

Thanks.

It's A2. It measured at HRC 58-59, which I thought would be a good hardness for something like this. I've made these before in W1 and O1 at that hardness but I think this might be the first time I've made stamps in A2.

I always worry about cranking down really hard on those tiny little letters but it always works out okay.
 
Hey... didn't CM just buy his own machine?:p That would be a fun project for a conventional mill.:eek:
 
Dude, those are dope!
 
Dude, his Dudeness, or Duder, or El Duderino those stamps really rock. You sure you don't want to sell a few!:eek: I mean really :cool:I would have to give them :thumbup::thumbup:!!!!!!!!!!!

Well what did you expect I couldn't say "me five" that would have been stupid!DUH

Seriously they really do look great!
 
Programming and set up time to CNC different stamps would cost a ton. Unless there is a program somewhere that has the entire raised alphabet already available. Then people would want ovals and other embellishments.

How many real hours did the stamps take Nathan?

Most stamps are made by making a negative in graphite then the graphite is placed against a blank and used to electrical remove metal to make the positive stamp.
 
ib2v4u said:
Programming and set up time to CNC different stamps would cost a ton. Unless there is a program somewhere that has the entire raised alphabet already available. Then people would want ovals and other embellishments.

How many real hours did the stamps take Nathan?

Most stamps are made by making a negative in graphite then the graphite is placed against a blank and used to electrical remove metal to make the positive stamp.
Click to expand...

----> "Programming and set up time to CNC different stamps would cost a ton. " <----- this

Jim,

Modeling, programming and machine setup took about 2 hours for the big one. Like you guessed, most of the trouble was getting the text right, there is nothing "turn key" in my CAD/CAM system. Machine time took about half an hour, mostly due to surface milling with a .030" ball mill on a machine who spindle is limited to 7,500 RPM.

The second part, the little guy, went much faster.

All told, from start to finish, it took about 2 1/2 - 3 beers (I did this on a Sunday, don't judge me :D) and consumed one micro cutter and put a little wear on an already used 3/8" endmill.

I put the parts into a batch going the Peter's, so I didn't fool around with the HT which is why the parts are so clean.
 
Nice work on those. My only concern would be that the stock is so large that one might have trouble lining up the stamp in the right spot, it's hard to see it. A larger taper on the sides like a chisel would make it easier to see.
 
Chuck Gedraitis Knives said:
Nice work on those. My only concern would be that the stock is so large that one might have trouble lining up the stamp in the right spot, it's hard to see it. A larger taper on the sides like a chisel would make it easier to see.
Click to expand...

They are pretty stout. They're not designed to be use vertically like you'd use with a hammer or a vertical press. Narrow stamps when used this way are bad about getting wonky and pressing deeper on one side or the other. These are intended to be used horizontally in a mill vise which holds everything straight, level and square for easy, accurate and repeatable results. They're machined 90 deg square all around and need a pretty stout base in order to remain perpendicular to the vise jaw. This is probably a little different than you're accustomed but it is intentional. The actual stamp face with the lettering stands proud of the block a fair bit for visibility. It's hard to see this in the picture because you're looking at it headlong.
 
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2 hopefully quick questions, first is there a way to make these stamps by hand? Secondly do you stamp them on the blade cold and with a hammer?
 
I suppose it would be possible to carve these out by hand with a little rotary bur, but it would require a lot of skill.

You press them into a blade cold before the blade is hardened. You could use a hammer but they usually give poor results. Most people do it vertical in a press. I have a press and I used to do it that way. I don't use stamps much anymore, but if I did I would do it in mill vise.
 
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