Stamp man

Steve has good input. When your ready to mark just do it quickly so the heat from your part doesn't raise the temp of the stamp tip over 420F which will soften it. However, Hardening a Marking Stamp should be considered between 58 to 61 RC. Then the back half has to be drawn back to 38/42 RC so it doesn't chip and cause serious damage, it should spall over like a chisel. This is also why I recommend 5" to 6" long stamps so the hardened end stays hard while the hammer end is drawn down and gives you room for both your hand and spalling over. The best all around steel is W1 (1095) Water Harden Shock steel. We do make stamps for production foundries out of many other steels but they often are marking red hot steel several times a minute. Hope this helps Example of a large Made In USA stamp

Since we just finished Saint Patrick's Day here is a 4 leaf clover one we've done a few times.

Howdy all, I am still here. Survived 2020 and still making the touch marks for iforge people. Marking Tools since 1960 Made in USA Michigan. If you need something I have made special arrangements you can go direct. Not through distributors. If you have a budget limit let me know so we can make suggestions to complexity and size to best get what you need. We make thousands of stamps a week for manufacturing companies but I am an old metal worker hobby guy myself and still support the small business and individuals here as well as car restoration, firearm and tool guys. Admin if you could make sure PM request notifications still go to my email I would appreciate it. Stamp Man

Howdy everyone, just checking in to see how you all are doing. It is amazing how the art of hand forging has grown. Hope you all like touch marks we've made over the years. IForge friends keep your hammer dressed and anvil flat. God bless, Tom

Thank you and I am glad you like your results. Looks awesome

We now have a facebook example page for ideas of touch mark hand stamps. I do get a lot of questions about ideas so hopefully (if can search the facebook for Columbia Marking Tools) is will give you some great ideas. Here are just 2 of the many. Always ask for I-forge/Toms discount.

I have post a few times about this. I give the Forum people a massive discount, but if you call our office ask to talk with Brad or Brian and tell them you were offered a forum discount from Tom (owner). We are the largest stamp manufacture in the world with 4 of the 7 certified master engravers in north America. This is our 50th year and have complete in house Metallurgist, Designers engineers testing large inventory of special steels for all applications and sizes. We will draw the stamp from your idea or sketch and send you a approval drawing prior to manufacturing. The business I do for Forum members is out of my passion for metal working as well as anything with a motor as well. So obviously we do not make a profit on these but we do have fun doing these which some of them challenge the pattern maker and that is a good thing. Tom

http://columbiamt.com/CMT-Hand-Tool-Marking/ Direct link to our Hand tool section in case you want to read up on the different ways & tools for hand stamping (know on this site as Touch Mark)

Bill, for your simple 3 character standard Gothic font hand stamp (guessing at 3/16" character height) the charge would be 1 stamp for 21.00. 2 weeks for delivery. Everything is made in Michigan at my company since 1960. We do take paypal or charge cards Columbia Marking Tools 586-949-8400 ask for Brian or Brad and give them this price as I Forge forum members get a huge discount.

If a steel stamp for marking your parts is what you need, we do this all day every day special or standard stamps Columbia Marking Tools phone is 586-949-8400 ask For Brian as he takes care of the forum guys (saves about 30 to 40 %). Or check us out on the web. Hand Tools - Columbia Marking Tools

One other trick you can use for the heavy hammer guys. Take a thick hose like a heater hose or peice of hydralic hose and drill a hole in it. Then push the hand stamp in the hole. Using the rubber hose as a handle keeps your hand away and eliminates the shock. This also works for hand held forging tools.

When I first read it I thought it said Beer Popper... got to get new glasses. When I click on the photo I thought thats strange ummm you must put the bottle top under the Bear's mouth and pry down...of course I then saw I was way off base. The art work is fantastic

Fantastic work neat to see when power and art come together.

Just thought I would post a simple trick we use when hand stamping (as called here on the forum touch mark) in the cold state. First stamp it in the soft anealed state (harden material will dull the stamp and not penetrate very well. A rule of thumb is 35Rc or under is ok to mark. You guys as forge/blacksmith know to use a solid back up and a heavy hammer (I use a mini mall around 2 pounds. Anyhow when stamping place a piece of masking tape on the material to be parked This will steady the stamp and prevent bounce back gost impressions. A quick wire brush accross th estamp after your done will clean out the Engraving. Also if you save your paper work you got from us you can always use it when re-ordering. This will give the engineers the "job number" so they can pull up the old artwork and duplicate it with the fuss and much quicker. Hope this helps