Anybody here have a branding tool for wood working? Trying to understand cost.

I've got 2. The first was a Christmas gift from one of the kids and it had the city inscribed where we used to live. When we moved I had a new one made and it cost abut $120. This is a torch heated model. I'm sure the electric ones are more convenient, but they might be more expensive and the element may faii. I think 9but do not know) that if the element fails it can be replaced with most of the models, but I just sit mine on a hot plate and let it get hot....then use it.I highly recommend you check out Gearheart Industries, the cost of the irons varies by size and other options and their website allows you to custom design one with their software...though it is limited to the characters they have in their library. Newman has a nice deign on the one he has, I suspect he'll chime in with info on it.

4 minutes ago, Fred W. Hargis Jr said:

Newman has a nice deign on the one he has, I suspect he'll chime in with info on it.

I'd like to see it as well, I don't think he's showed it off lately.

Thought about one of these but wanted to add the date and maybe personalized for the recipient. Went with a small laser that wasn't much more expensive than the branding iron and offered a lot more versatility, Software is free and can be run from a laptop or computer.

I don’t want to date anything. Considering shop name, phone number and a personal picture.. I need a+little info on my tables, etc..

Edited December 19, 20223 yr by BillyJack

I keep wondering about getting a laser.   It is one of those things that I've never needed before, but the technology tries to seduce me.   Simply using one to "stamp" your projects can't justify getting one for myself.  I bought my first CNC before the college I teach at had one, simply because I wanted to figure out how useful it could be.  What I've seen most people do with laser engravers/cutters doesn't interest me.  What I found I could do with my CNC became far beyond what most people do with 3-axis CNCs.  I just can't imagine how a 2-axis laser, even with a rotary add-on, can be jigged up to do things that are not easily done  any other way.  If I feel like putting my name/logo on a wood project of mine I can engrave it with my CNC and fill the engraving with some tinted epoxy. 

4D 

I have a standard brand electric that I think was a gift but back then they were maybe 50 to 60 . Ordered the date attachment later. For turning I have two . The first I wanted 1 inch but was about 1.25 when I received it. The second is .75. I ordered these on Esty . Took exactly 30 days to get them. There are many people selling there and some are USA made. Not sure of price for a larger torch brand but these were under 30.  Just looked a nd one seller has a "large" for 46 on sale. Now might be the time to order.

As Fred noted, @steven newmanhas a pretty cool design on his. IiRC, it was a gift from a grandson. Hopefully he'll chime in on this topic and show pictures of it. Don't recall where it came from.

 

Good topic @BillyJack. Already generated lots of good feedback. @HandyDanuses a quite novel idea incorporating a penny with the year made as his"trademark". 

 

I've been considering one as well, so following along with interest. 

I’m curious how much of this they can get on a burn?

 

I’m considering stamping the cam clamps. 

That would be cool to see.

Have no idea where my son got this at...

Yes, it came in this case...that I promptly tried out the iron on..

Takes a long time to heat up this much Brass..

 

This is a mirror image, of course....

Yes, it even came with an instruction paper...this is a corded version...runs on 110vac....takes a while to fully heat up, and to fully cool down...

This is how my brands look. You can always design a fancy brand to. Some companies have an assortment of designs to choose from if you do not already have one.  The first pic is the electric iron which takes a long time to heat.  Next the large torch brand from Etsy and the last is the smaller brand.

BillyJack, isn't your avatar a movie poster?  And you would like to incorporate into your brand.  There may be more to this story than simply "my name is Billy Jack"?  I would like to hear the back story...