Want large letter-stamps for use on wood - any ideas?

Jun 06, 2005 13 Replies

I want to mark the firewood as I get it (I'm taking about 12" rounds, not little pieces), and I'd like to be able to mark it (for example M for maple, O for oak, etc) with a stamp of around 1-2" letters, something that's easy and quick to do. Stamps I have seen on Northern Tool, etc, are all max 3/8" letters for steel.



I have done some welding, and am open to ideas.



Thanks


Dean



How about some stencils and a can of spray paint?

I agree with Jack. A quick and easy solution that should do the trick.

-- Regards,

Dean Bielanowski Editor, Online Tool Reviews

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The old time loggers, who used to float their logs to the sawmill, used to "brand" their logs. The brand was welded to a splitting maul. Usually two or three letters or a logo was fabricated (in reverse?). When swung against the end of the log. the brand became visible from the wood fibers that were compressed under the brand.

I have seen these "branding mauls" in museums and in private collections. I don't really know what they would be worth though.

If you are just going to brand firewood, you may just be able to get by with a simple symbol of some kind. You also may want to go to a smaller hammer as well. Just use something big enough to make a noticeable mark.

Weld up some branding irons. One for each letter. Make any size you want. You can brand any side you want.

Spray paint is an excellent idea, although I do hate those sprays that keep getting clogged up or you have to empty them upside down every time.

Much preferred would be a hammer whack.

I wonder if a crayon would work? I tried a felt marker pen and it frigged up after a few logs. The sap and dust was getting in the way.

Thanks for all the ideas, keep'em coming.

Dean

G'day Doug, There is a beast called a "Lumber Crayon" Usual colour is yellow but I'm sure they are available in different colours. They are a heavy duty wax crayon that wont wash of in bad weather and are quite easy to see. regards John

There is a product call 'paint stick' or paint marker' that is used in industry. Hard to find for consumers. Oil based paint in a felt tip marker type applicator or oil based paint mixed with wax for a crayon like stick. I did a google search and found a supplier in UK for Markal products.

In USA, at places I have worked we used McMaster-Carr industrial supplier.

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do a search for paint markers at their site, page 1754 of their catalog. Item 1660T28 is a crayon stick for all weather use on wood and metal. You must buy in box of 12 sticks, but each box is not that expensive.

Item 16625T25 is a pump action felt tip paint marker. You depress the tip against the surface several times to charge the tip with paint.

As 'general public' I have not purchased from McMaster-Carr, I have bought lots as an employee of various companies and can recommend them. Love their printed catalog.

Phil

Thanks all. Phil I ordered the AW paint crayons from McMaster-Carr. Thanks!

Dean

Hello,

I was going to suggest finding your local craft store or teacher suppy store for bigger stamps.

Mother-in-law is a teacher and she's had some bigger stamps if your still wanting to do something like that.

The crayons were going to be my other suggestion.......... :-)

How about "Railroad Chalk". See:

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I used to buy lumber marking crayons at the lumber yard.. probably still have them there?

mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

mine all seem to be green.. lol

also, if you're near a casino that has a "Keno" game, they have some pretty hefty crayons there that they give away as advertising items..

mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

If it's really only firewood, not wood for later projects, this would be a waste of time, but:

Anchorseal and other log sealers come in a few different colors.. the blanks that I've bought have had white, pink, yellow, etc. sealer on them.. you could color code them.. *g*

mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

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