Custom Made Stamps

[jayjay]

I have a potential customer that would like some "Not so popular designs" made up and I was wondring who everyone is using to have custom tools made? ie stamps. Thanks for your time.

[TwinOaks]

There are several options you can choose from - Brenda at lasergiftcreations.com can put pretty much whatever you want on a delrin stamp, as long as it can be converted to vector art. Same thing with Jeff Mosby at grey ghost graphics.

These are two of the most recommended people for getting custom maker's stamps made.....but they're not limited to just maker's stamps.

Another option is to contact some of the tool makers and commission a stamp, which could get pretty expensive.

The cheapest, though most time consuming way is to make your own. If it's going to be a limited use item, you can make one out of wood. Print the image to scale, but in reverse, and transfer it to a block of wood. Then, remove the wood that isn't part of the image with something like a dremel tool. You can do the same thing in metal, but it's a bit more involved and may require special tools or chemicals (etching).

Probably the most expensive way to go is also the way that will give you a tool that'll last forever- draw (or have drawn) a 3-d model of what you want and have a machinist with a CNC lathe make it for you.

[jayjay]

Thanks for the info I can handle the wood work. Any type of wood better than another for this?

I had brenda make my makers mark and it turn out awesome!

There are several options you can choose from - Brenda at lasergiftcreations.com can put pretty much whatever you want on a delrin stamp, as long as it can be converted to vector art. Same thing with Jeff Mosby at grey ghost graphics.

These are two of the most recommended people for getting custom maker's stamps made.....but they're not limited to just maker's stamps.

Another option is to contact some of the tool makers and commission a stamp, which could get pretty expensive.

The cheapest, though most time consuming way is to make your own. If it's going to be a limited use item, you can make one out of wood. Print the image to scale, but in reverse, and transfer it to a block of wood. Then, remove the wood that isn't part of the image with something like a dremel tool. You can do the same thing in metal, but it's a bit more involved and may require special tools or chemicals (etching).

Probably the most expensive way to go is also the way that will give you a tool that'll last forever- draw (or have drawn) a 3-d model of what you want and have a machinist with a CNC lathe make it for you.

Edited October 11, 2011 by jayjay

[TwinOaks]

Something pretty dense with a close grain, and not "oily". I've done a very little bit with Cocobola, (made a slicker/folder) and it seems that it would hold up well; it definitely sands to a smooth finish, and isn't oily feeling. There are definitely some harder woods available, but that may be a detriment if you're doing some really detailed carving. You might want to go to a wood working site for options, or maybe Spinner will chime in with a suggestion.

I think common wood like white pine would be a little too soft for much stamping, but if it was a low number of impressions, it might work.

Another thing I didn't think of earlier would be to carve what you want as a mold and cast your own stamps using a hard setting epoxy resin, and just add a small bolt for a handle.

[TwinOaks]

Here's a thread you might enjoy, freshly dug from the archives.....making stamps

[jayjay]

Wow what a great conversion that link was. Thank you very much for your comments.

Edited October 12, 2011 by jayjay

[Spinner]

Thanks for the info I can handle the wood work. Any type of wood better than another for this?

I had brenda make my makers mark and it turn out awesome!

Something pretty dense with a close grain, and not "oily". I've done a very little bit with Cocobola, (made a slicker/folder) and it seems that it would hold up well; it definitely sands to a smooth finish, and isn't oily feeling. There are definitely some harder woods available, but that may be a detriment if you're doing some really detailed carving. You might want to go to a wood working site for options, or maybe Spinner will chime in with a suggestion.

I think common wood like white pine would be a little too soft for much stamping, but if it was a low number of impressions, it might work.

Another thing I didn't think of earlier would be to carve what you want as a mold and cast your own stamps using a hard setting epoxy resin, and just add a small bolt for a handle.

For something that is going to be strong enough to hold up as a stamp, give a good edge/shape profile, hold small detail and not leave color/residue on the leather I'd try: Boxwood, Alternative Ivory or any stabilized wood blank. The stabilized wood blanks are simply wood that has been soaked in Pentacryl solution Pentacryl is a penetration resin solution, it soaks into the wood fibers and hardens basically making a wood/acrylic hybrid that cuts & power carves pretty well but it's like working with Ironwood. Take you a little longer to work it to shape but should provide nice results and can be polished to a glass like finish. Stores like Woodcraft and Rockler will have pen sized blanks of at least two out of the three woods above in stock.

Cheers,

Chris

[TwinOaks]

Thanks, Chris, I was pretty sure you'd have a good idea of what woods to use.

Besides my slicker, my wood selection experience is pretty much limited to "no, that 2x4 has a twist...next," and "You want HOW MUCH for this sheet of plywood!?!?"

[Spinner]

Thanks, Chris, I was pretty sure you'd have a good idea of what woods to use.

Besides my slicker, my wood selection experience is pretty much limited to "no, that 2x4 has a twist...next," and "You want HOW MUCH for this sheet of plywood!?!?"

Too funny Mike...be glad you didn't go with me on any trips to Rockler for cocobolo when I was at the height of burnisher turning; ou would have gone into convulsions... $180 for 6 "sticks", none longer than my arm.

[jayjay]

Thanks Spinner