This is a Hand Stamp Spacing Guide that I made a few years back. I designed it to be used with Lee Valley's 2mm, 3mm and 5mm letter and number stamps. It allows you to punch mark wood or metal with clear, evenly spaced characters.
Here's the setup: I've clamped it on top of a workpiece secured in my vise. 

 

 

Then you just slip in the Punch Stamp as shown...

 

 

... and give it a couple taps with a small to medium size hammer.

 

 

To punch one letter or number after another, You can move the punch holder by lifting the locking knob to next hole and putting it down to lock. Put in your next letter or number punch and away you go!

 

 

You can also move half spaces by moving the locking knob to the left hole as shown here. 

 

 

Here's one of my boxes where I've used my Hand Stamp Spacing Guide and punch stamps to identify the box.

 

 

Thanks for looking! 
Cheers! 
MrRick

Edited October 7, 2025Oct 7 by MrRick

That's pretty cool!

 

As a techno nerd, I've switched to using a laser.

scribbles in pen......don't mind me.....

Thanks lew. I don't have a laser but this works very efficiently and easy to setup and use. 

1 hour ago, MrRick said:

easy to setup and use.

 

can't same the same for the laser 😂

I've always made things by hand. I make jigs and tools as well. As a retired Engineer, I'm always thinking about tooling up, the pros and cons of everything, best approach, keeping it simple, cost, best bang for the buck, etc, etc. Lasers are expensive for one offs IMO. But to each his own. I've never been able to justify the cost. I always ask myself..." Can I accomplish what I want to do without power?"

Though I always strive for the best end result, the most important thing to me is the journey! 

Very nice, when I'm able to get back into the shop, I'll be trying to make one for myself ( for 1/8" stamps, that I have ).

I just had and angiogram and next Tuesday I'm looking at back surgery, so I'm sidelined for a bit.

28 minutes ago, Wichman3 said:

Very nice, when I'm able to get back into the shop, I'll be trying to make one for myself ( for 1/8" stamps, that I have ).

I just had and angiogram and next Tuesday I'm looking at back surgery, so I'm sidelined for a bit.

 

Thank you Wichman3! Take care. 

1 hour ago, Wichman3 said:

Very nice, when I'm able to get back into the shop, I'll be trying to make one for myself ( for 1/8" stamps, that I have ).

I just had and angiogram and next Tuesday I'm looking at back surgery, so I'm sidelined for a bit.

Prayers to you Wich for the very best outcome...BTDT on the back surgery so know what you're facing.

Very unique idea.  Saved this for future project.  

 

 

58 minutes ago, Gunny said:

Very unique idea.  Saved this for future project.  

 

 

Love the basis of the idea. I have a woodburner or rather two of them , several sizes of brands and if all else fails the labeler can do it.