metal stamping

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I wanted to throw this out and see if anyone has done any metal stamping or making "name" plates of their own. What I'd like to do is make tags or name plates with my business name on them to put on my product (i.e.: similar to how HOOKER has a metal tag on their headers) . Is this better to farm out to a company to do it or do you guys have any DIY methods? Thanks! I found this place, but no prices: http://www.mcloone.com/products/window.asp?id=39John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:I have a friend who did work on dies for 25 or more years. I'll ask him if it is possible to use a 1 ton arbor press with 2 small dies bolted up to it. I can't see why this would not be sufficient pressure. I might be able to help you out with making the dies, but I can't promise anything. At the least, I can lead you in the right direction. What material will you be using for the nameplates?Tony
Reply:Probably just light gauge mild steel. Something I can just tack to my piping projects. Thanks for the response.John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:Some of the machine tool makers we use ot deal with had what appeared to be iether cast zinc or cast Aluminum name plates for their mahcine builds.    The current vendors just have vynl stickers that glue on.    If you want to do this you should be albe to find a company that will make you up a stamping die that would work in a small press.    Might need a bit more than one ton though.   An option you have to do it eaiser and better though woud be to use thin gage brass.    Brass has an advantage of not rusting, so it will continue to identify you as the builder for some time.    Can't be tacked on but you do benefit from longevity.Try searching the internet for brass tags and stuff.I found the following companies quickly:Shortorderporducts.markservpipemarkerplaquesandlettersevrightprobably a bunch of others.    What ever you choose you should be albe to have them prefabed at a reasoanble cost.    Maybe have them leave a space for engraving a project number or something.    just don't engrave things in stone that might change even if you don't ecpect it to.    Addresses and telephone numbers come to mind.ThanksDave
Reply:Dave - thanks for the input, I appreciate everyone's thoughts on this. I didn't even consider stickers though as the product will have some heat. John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:A quick way is to purchase several sets of number and letter stamps and make up your own punch.Decide on the size of figures then make up a "box" out of flat bar to take a row of letters with a set screw at the end so that they punches can be installed and held tight in the pocket.   On the end of the pocket you weld an adapter to your press.  A minimum twenty ton press will mark metal tags with about ten figures in a row.  If you do not have a press you can make up the holder with a end to take a hammer blow.  A good strike with a two pound hammer usually will mark the steel enough.  It is best to mark tags made out of 1/8th thick then tack weld the tags to your weldment.
Reply:I was looking at regular alphabet stamp sets for metal. They are fairly cheap - $12-18 per set. I may give that a shot! Thanks for the suggestions.John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:Two things that I forgot to mention about using these punches is purchase all you will need at the same time.  Different sets bought at different times sometimes are different lengths. When you put them in the holder you then have problems.  The other little thing is if you start using them individually with a hammer the ends slightly mushroom and change length.  I used to mark parts for Westeren Star trucks this way under a small hydraulic press.  If you hand hammer use an anvil or something substantial underneath so that it does not bounce.
Reply:Thanks for the suggestions. After Memorial Day, I'm going to go looking for stamps and possibly call a few places to see how cheaply they can do it for me. I like the example in the link I gave above.John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com