JimErn Posted August 24, 2019 Report Share Posted August 24, 2019 For those of you that use an actual branding iron on your work, do you brand the item before or after you put the finish on? Is your branding iron electric, or heat it with a flame? which do you prefer if you have tried both? lawson56 and OCtoolguy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCtoolguy Posted August 24, 2019 Report Share Posted August 24, 2019 4 minutes ago, JimErn said: For those of you that use an actual branding iron on your work, do you brand the item before or after you put the finish on? Is your branding iron electric, or heat it with a flame? which do you prefer if you have tried both? Jim, I just started signing my work. I bought a used pyrography setup. The first time I used it was after I had applied the finish and I wasn't too happy with the outcome. This time, I signed both pieces I'm working on prior to dipping the oil. Right after I burned my signature, I ran the flat bottom of the work over a piece of 220 paper that I have taped to a corian board. They came out much better this time. So, my answer would be, before you apply the finish. Phantom Scroller 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappile Posted August 24, 2019 Report Share Posted August 24, 2019 I have a branding iron. I usually brand on unfinished wood because I will brand the back of the backer which I do not finish,,,,, should I? I have also branded a piece of veneer several times and I can cut off a piece with the brand on it and glue it to a piece. If you cut it nice it looks pretty good. My branding iron is one you heat by torch and it takes some practice to get it heated just right and evenly. That is the reason I branded a piece of veneer several times. When I have it heated correctly I want to brand more than one thing... So I hit the veneer. Then I don't have to heat it for each project. I have not tried an electric one, maybe more convenient, but somewhat more expensive. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Johnson Posted August 25, 2019 Report Share Posted August 25, 2019 I have an electric branding iron and brand the wood prior to finishng. I also have a pyrography iron that I prefer over the branding iron. Again branding done prior to finishing. Reason being I can correct any over heated problems. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lawson56 Posted August 25, 2019 Report Share Posted August 25, 2019 Good things to know,I don't have a Branding Iron,I have been saving up to get on. Thanks for the question Jim,and the info Guys. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimErn Posted August 25, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 25, 2019 Thanks y'all for the info, appreciate it OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Scroller Posted August 25, 2019 Report Share Posted August 25, 2019 (edited) I have often thought of a branding iron where do you get yours from I did think of making one on my CNC in brass?? Edited August 25, 2019 by Phantom Scroller OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappile Posted August 25, 2019 Report Share Posted August 25, 2019 Sorry, I can not remember where I purchased mine. I know it was a little over $70 on sale at the time. There are several places that sell them. Search "signature branding iron". And of coarse I am sure you can get one through Amazon. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCtoolguy Posted August 25, 2019 Report Share Posted August 25, 2019 The pyrography tool that I just bought is a Colwell. They sell them. Scrappile 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappile Posted August 25, 2019 Report Share Posted August 25, 2019 That may be where mine came from, I have the one that saw "from the shop of" with the guy with the chisel. Another thing to think about, the less detail/design involved, the easier it is to get a good brand. Mine is difficult, too much to get evenly heated... OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flarud Posted August 25, 2019 Report Share Posted August 25, 2019 (edited) 20 hours ago, Scrappile said: I have a branding iron. I usually brand on unfinished wood because I will brand the back of the backer which I do not finish,,,,, should I? I have also branded a piece of veneer several times and I can cut off a piece with the brand on it and glue it to a piece. If you cut it nice it looks pretty good. My branding iron is one you heat by torch and it takes some practice to get it heated just right and evenly. That is the reason I branded a piece of veneer several times. When I have it heated correctly I want to brand more than one thing... So I hit the veneer. Then I don't have to heat it for each project. I have not tried an electric one, maybe more convenient, but somewhat more expensive. My thoughts are pretty much the same as yours. It takes some practice to get the brand just right. About half of the time I have to sand the brand off and try again. I went with the cheaper brand that you use a propane torch to heat up,, I have wondered if the electric would have worked better. I bought mine thru the Rockler website. I think that it is a third party that sells thru them. Mine was $75 about 4 years ago. Edited August 25, 2019 by flarud OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappile Posted August 25, 2019 Report Share Posted August 25, 2019 (edited) I do not know if the electrics work better, not worth the extra $100 to find out... I always practice on scrap wood until I get the heat correct. Those thinking of getting one, a nice "Sharpie works good. Really not as bad as all that. I use mine, especially if it is something that has a nice place to brand. I also purchased some of Steve Good's Signature Coins, they really look nice. Edited August 25, 2019 by Scrappile OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dgman Posted August 26, 2019 Report Share Posted August 26, 2019 I have an electric iron. It takes about 10 minutes to heat up. I definitely would not want the type that needs to be heated with a torch. I don’t want an open flame in my shop! OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spirithorse Posted August 26, 2019 Report Share Posted August 26, 2019 I have an electric branding iron from Rocklers. It did take me a while to determine how long to let it heat up and it seems that I have to rock the branding iron from front to back and side to side to get an even burn on the entire signature and emblems but, I usually get good results each time now that I have really practiced with it. I do brand on the back side of the pieces before any finish is applied. I personally think Rockler is pretty high priced and would shop around for a better price. I received mine as a Christmas gift. God Bless! Spirithorse Scrappile and OCtoolguy 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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