My $6 Custom Branding Iron

[Alex Franke]

Hi all -- I haven't posted here in a while, and I realize that I forgot to share this one with you!

I've wanted a custom branding iron for a while, but I didn't want to pay close to $200 for it. A couple months ago while flipping through Make magazine, I discovered a service in The Netherlands called Shapeways that would "print" 3D products using a variety of materials and techniques, including plastic and stainless steel. I used the free version of Alibre Design to work up a couple 3D branding iron models, and uploaded them to Shapeways to have them printed. I didn't know what kind of result to expect, but it was very inexpensive so I thought I'd just give it a shot.

I couldn't be happier with the results! In about two weeks, I got back two custom branding irons, tapped them, turned a couple of handles, and tried them out.

This one was $6, shipping included:

This one was $7.40, shipping included:

There was a $25 minimum order. I actually considered getting 3-4 versions of one of the branding irons, each with a year, but I decided to order some other plastic stuff instead, and that made up the $25 minimum.

I have some details and more pictures on my blog here: http://www.thefrankes.com/wp/?p=1883

I have a step-by-step tutorial on how I made them (using all free software tools) here: http://www.thefrankes.com/wp/?p=1893

Let me know what you think!

 

[nelsone]

Cool! Thanks for sharing!

 

[Alex Franke]

By the way, I turned a few different handles and ended up using big, low-profile, mushroom-like handles because that type of handle made it easier to place the hot iron accurately on the wood.

I heat them up with a torch and do a couple of practice brands before I mark the work piece -- just to make sure I get the temperature and timing right.

 

[Mt. Gomer]

Very cool! Thanks Alex.

 

[red]

Very nice!

Red

 

[CarvedTones]

This is awesome!
I am not sure I follow it all yet.
I want to make one that says CarvedTones about as small as can be easily read and still be a usable brand. Any size recommendation?
If I don't really care much about fonts or designs, is there any shortcut way to enter 3D text in a form they will accept?

thanks!

 

[lottathought]

Very Clever. And within my price range. :gar-Bi

 

[CarvedTones]

One more followup...

Could that steel be hardened and tempered into a punch?

 

[Alex Franke]

Thanks for all the great comments!

I want to make one that says CarvedTones about as small as can be easily read and still be a usable brand. Any size recommendation?
If I don't really care much about fonts or designs, is there any shortcut way to enter 3D text in a form they will accept?

There are some limits on how much detail you can have in the stainless steel part, but the branding irons I made were pretty detailed. The "AF" branding iron is 1/2" wide and the "afranke" one is 1" wide.

I don't believe there's an easier way to do it, but I'll poke around a bit and see if I can find one.

Could that steel be hardened and tempered into a punch?

Darn good question. I have absolutely no idea, but here are some details about the material along with a short video on how it's done -- in case this might help to answer your question: http://www.shapeways.com/materials/stainless_steel

 

[CarvedTones]

Actually, someone told me Blender (open source and free) is major overkill and hard to use for most things, but to just extrude text is easy. Sure enough, it took about 5 minutes to install and create 3D text. Though how I size it and whatnot, I am not sure...

 

[dlrion]

GOOD CALL! I will definately use this! Thanks!

 

[Trent Mason]

Awesome! Thanks so much for posting this! :icon_thum

 

[Alex Franke]

Good tip -- I've been wanting to try Blender again. I hear it's gotten much easier to use over the years since I tried it before.

I joined the text (see the step-by-step tutorial) and extruded it 1.25mm, then outlined it to make a foundation. I extruded that 2mm and then added the back part so that it could be tapped and screwed onto a threaded rod. The holes are just there to remove extra material (and thus make it a bit cheaper ).

Remember to model it so that the text is backwards! :eusa_doh:

This is what it looks like in the CAD design window:

 

[CarvedTones]

Well, Blender is easy to load and run, easy to type text in and extrude it, but that's where the "easy" stopped. I did not think about the backwards business, nor do I have the backing on there.

EDIT - For those of you that think I am bull headed by not following the tutorial, here is an excerpt from it:

This tutorial requires a working knowledge of Alibre Design (or other 3D parametric modeling software) and Inkscape (or other vector graphics editing software).
​

I don't have working knowledge of either. So I am trying with Blender since it is free and there is a large community out there.

 

[SgtSnafu]

Thank you Alex for the info. In this economy I can see where many folks are on a tight budget, and I am no different. I thought that a branding iron is something I'd have to wait for a long while to get. Well thanks to you it is now something I can do much sooner..

I have a question - I assume you use propane to heat it up to use - true... Other than trial & error, Is there a rule of thumb to tell when it is heated enough to make the brand?

Again thanks.

 

[sawduster]

Dood !! That is just too kewl :notworthy:

Can this be done with a hand-written name or initials ? I have a graphics pad and could easily create the initial graphic but I got lost pretty dang quick in that whole 3D-extrude-2x-bibbidy-bobbidy-boo-yada-yada-yada :BangHead: :embaresse
I would seriously like to do this . :banana: Would you be willing to give some tips or help to a tech-challenged ol' redneck ? :eusa_pray

.....I'll dance at your wedding :gar-Bi

 

[CarvedTones]

Robert,

It definitely can be done. There is certainly a learning curve, though. When (I hope it isn't if) I get past the bump I hit with Blender I can help you if you don't get another offer. It sounds like we may need to go in to get up to their $25 minimum anyway, unless you were going to get multiple brands.

It's funny; I have spent 30 years getting computers to do anything that the client wants. I will make one levitate if that's required to solve the problem. But they get much more ornery when I want to do something for myself...

 

[Alex Franke]

Let me see if I can model a standard backing plate -- maybe that will make it easier. What sizes to you all think would be good?

I have a question - I assume you use propane to heat it up to use - true... Other than trial & error, Is there a rule of thumb to tell when it is heated enough to make the brand?

Yes, I use a propane torch. The longer "afranke" design needs more heat in the middle (because the mounting flange wicks the heat away), so I go back and forth over the torch flame five times for one second in each direction (10 seconds total) then do a test burn. If I do consecutive burns, I reheat for 5 seconds (back and forth) between burns.

The smaller branding iron takes a little less time to heat up.

For those of you that think I am bull headed by not following the tutorial, here is an excerpt from it:

This tutorial requires a working knowledge of Alibre Design (or other 3D parametric modeling software) and Inkscape (or other vector graphics editing software).​

​

You're right -- it take a bit of time to figure out that software...

Can this be done with a hand-written name or initials ? I have a graphics pad and could easily create the initial graphic but I got lost pretty dang quick in that whole 3D-extrude-2x-bibbidy-bobbidy-boo-yada-yada-yada

Good qeustion -- let me try a couple things out and I'll let you know.

 

[CarvedTones]

Alex,

I noticed that someone has published a customizable model for stamps up there. It seems like it would just be a minor tweak to make brands, though we do probably have a few different size preferences. I am looking for roughly the equivalent of 10 pt type that says "CarvedTones", which is maybe 1" x 1/8". I will be stamping woodwinds.

 

[sawduster]

Sounds like some of us need to get together and order so we can meet the minimum :widea:

........if we can figure out the software :mrgreen: