If just using some type of pen to sigh your work I found this Micron Pen to be the best.  Dries quickly and finishes don't make it run/smear.  Not expensive either.  Picked it up at the Hobby Lobby.

 

 

 

Just did this today and applied wipe-on poly over it 15 minutes later using a brush.

 

 

 

 

 

i either use one of my brands, or a wood burning pen (often for the year, as 2 of my 3 brands don't have a year)

I just found that brand recently. I like it because it is not supposed to fade over time. I did notice that it does smear when putting a wax finish over it. That may be happening because I have been using the sanding paste first.  
 

I’ve looked at branding irons but I am leaning towards a laser device. They are slightly more expensive but way more versatile 

8 minutes ago, lew said:

I just found that brand recently. I like it because it is not supposed to fade over time. I did notice that it does smear when putting a wax finish over it. That may be happening because I have been using the sanding paste first.  
 

I’ve looked at branding irons but I am leaning towards a laser device. They are slightly more expensive but way more versatile 

Which laser are you considering?

10 minutes ago, Gene Howe said:

Which laser are you considering?

Not sure yet I saw a really small device you set on the surface to be engraved. Thinking more about how I could do the ends of my rolling pins. 

I have three brands . One for traditional flatwork and date, a 1.5 inch and a 3/4 inch for round stuff.

I use Micron for a pen and inks on occasion,..I've tried several and there are other's out there I like...but Micron is my favorite. 

Nothing elaborate here. I've been using an ink stamp from Ink Pixie. But, a laser etched signature or brand, would be cool. 

Almost all of the really inexpensive lasers I looked at seem to have reviews that are not very good for burning/engraving, just not power enough. Looks like something in the 5 to 7 watt range is necessary to do a really good job. 
 

The other thing is that just about all are designed to work on a flat surface. I’d need to design a special table to insert the rolling pins end up to engrave the end. Not a big deal just something to think about. Probably need to do the same thing with bowls to engrave the bottoms. 

Any 20 watt input (5-7 watt out put) diode laser will do the job. You'd need a Y axis rotary roller to engrave on cylindrical objects. The bottoms of bowls would pose no problem for most Laser machines. Most are very light and can easily be elevated and made stationary at a height to allow engraving on the bottom of a bowl. There's a learning curve with matching any graphics software to the unit you choose, as well as dialing in the burn settings. 

I use Gimp for manipulation of the graphics and, and Light Burn to control the Laser. You'll also need a lap top unless you have a Mac or PC in the shop.

 

2 minutes ago, Gene Howe said:

Any 20 watt input (5-7 watt out put) diode laser will do the job. You'd need a Y axis rotary roller to engrave on cylindrical objects. The bottoms of bowls would pose no problem for most Laser machines. Most are very light and can easily be elevated and made stationary at a height to allow engraving on the bottom of a bowl. There's a learning curve with matching any graphics software to the unit you choose, as well as dialing in the burn settings. 

I use Gimp for manipulation of the graphics and, and Light Burn to control the Laser. You'll also need a lap top unless you have a Mac or PC in the shop.

 

Gene,

This is the one I am contemplating, as it would be used only for signing work.

 

Seems to have everything you mentioned as far as software and I do have a laptop. Generally familiar with Gimp but would need to learn Light Burn.

 

https://orturoffice.com/collections/engraving-machines/products/ortur-laser-master-desktop-laser-engraver-cutter-laser-engraving-machine-32-bit-motherboard-laser-grbl-control-software-easy-to-install?variant=39880362754224

If all you ever want to do is sign your work with easily available fonts, you wouldn't need either Gimp or Light burn. Logos are a different story. 

I use a woodburning kit that I acquired from HF a couple of years ago.  It doubles as a soldering kit, which they no longer sell.  

On 8/28/2021 at 2:33 PM, lew said:

 

https://orturoffice.com/collections/engraving-machines/products/ortur-laser-master-desktop-laser-engraver-cutter-laser-engraving-machine-32-bit-motherboard-laser-grbl-control-software-easy-to-install?variant=39880362754224

Thank you for the link.  The small footprint of this device solves a lot of problems. 

 

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