Question for you stampers.

Nowicki

Nowicki

Joined
Jan 18, 2003
Messages
1,117
Well I have had my stamp for a little while now. I've only used it a few times and haven't been real happy with the results. The stamp moved.....The jig bounced..... The question.... Do you guys stamp the blades while they are hot....Still hot but color out of the blade.....Anealed but cool....?
I've been stamping hot out of the forge but then I have to re-straiten the blade....
This should be simple but I don't want to mess up the stamp on steel that is too hard. I'm sure I'm just making this too complicated.


Larry
 
Go ahead and stamp before going into the oven. This will help relieve the stress from the stamp. Also, the stamp is hardened. If on the hot blade too long, you can draw the temper of the stamp. Damage is more likely this way, than using it on steel in the annealed state. Mike
 
I stamp cold before heat treat and usaully before grinding bevels.

If you just have a 'hand stamp' (a stamp on a post), go get a cheap arbor press, take the ram out and drill a hold about the size of the stamp's post right into the ram's face. You could also drill and tap a hole on the side for a set-screw to hold the spamp in place, but I haven't found that particularly useful.
Use a thick piece of smooth cold-rolled (I like 5/8 or better) as an 'anvil'.

The advantage of this set up is that you can position the stamp just so, hold it down with the press' handle and strike it directly on top of the press' ram. This essentially eliminates bounce and shifting and 'doubling' if done right. Plus, if the stamp is not deep enough, you can reposition it accurately, hold it in postion again and give it another smack. Works like a champ.
 
Larry,
I had the same problems when I first started stamping. The steel should be annealed yes, but you are eally kidding yourself if you are trying to stamp without a press. I use a hydraulic press because I have access to one but an arbor press will work if you don't. many times no straightening needed at all and ALWAYS a perfectly crisp,centered stamp of equal depth on all letters.
You really need to try it and quit praying you don't ruin your blade with an offcenter stamp of even depth. I was ready to throw mine away also but quite pleased now.
IMGP0311.jpg


Matt Doyle
 
I'll try the press rout with a cold stamp and see what happens.
Thanks

Larry
 
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