Minimalist Dot Peen Marking

Given the almost unlimited capabilities of Computer Numerical Control, it should be no surprise that just about any artwork can be machined into a surface. I don’t see any challenge there. Being a minimalist, I wanted to mark letters and numbers using the lowest tech possible. I might be close with this one. It uses the output of any printer and a marking punch. The key ingredient is patience.

If you are interested, please, click here


Your comments are welcome. All of us are smarter than any one of us.


Thanks,

Rick

<!-- BEGIN /var/www/html/homemadetools/protected/modules/zeus/views/tool/postUpdate.php -->
Thanks rgsparber! We've added your Dot Peen Marking Method to our Measuring and Marking category,
as well as to your builder page: rgsparber's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

<div id="blocks"> <div class="block b1 pngfix"> <div class="bimg"> <div> <a href="https://www.homemadetools.net/homemade-dot-peen-marking-method"> <img src="/uploads/255204/homemade-dot-peen-marking-method.jpeg"/> </a> </div> </div> <div class="head pngfix"></div> <div class="left pngfix"></div> <div class="right pngfix"></div> <div class="blockover b1 pngfix"> <div class="title"> <a href="https://www.homemadetools.net/homemade-dot-peen-marking-method">Dot Peen Marking Method</a> <span> by <a href="https://www.homemadetools.net/builder/rgsparber">rgsparber</a></span> </div> <div class="tags">tags: <a href='https://www.homemadetools.net/tag/marking'>marking</a>, <a href='https://www.homemadetools.net/tag/punch'>punch</a> </div> </div> </div> </div>
<!-- END /var/www/html/homemadetools/protected/modules/zeus/views/tool/postUpdate.php -->

Why would I want to write your name on my stuff?


Thanks for the share.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Karl_H

Why would I want to write your name on my stuff?


Thanks for the share.

---

So you remember who loaned it to you?

I think making some tools like these, https://tandyleather.com/collections...iamond-chisels and a curved one for S and p etc. Break your letters into shapes you can make punches for... Should be able to make all the shapes with 4 or 5 tools to cover all the alpha numeric characters.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sleykin

I think making some tools like these, https://tandyleather.com/collections...iamond-chisels and a curved one for S and p etc. Break your letters into shapes you can make punches for... Should be able to make all the shapes with 4 or 5 tools to cover all the alpha numeric characters.

---

It would greatly speed up the work but getting all peens the same depth would be tricky.

Rick

3D printing a plate with holes in it for the same purpose would guide the punch and keep it square against the workpiece(making each punch-mark as symmetrical as possible) and would also allow for using much smaller and thinner homemade punches(even square or rectangular ones..).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MasterMaker

3D printing a plate with holes in it for the same purpose would guide the punch and keep it square against the workpiece(making each punch-mark as symmetrical as possible) and would also allow for using much smaller and thinner homemade punches(even square or rectangular ones..).

---

If the user has a 3D printer, why not just print the entire tag?

Rick

Go back and look at the Title of the original post - "Minimalist ..."

The more we try to improve on the process, the further we get from "minimalist."

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Karl_H

Go back and look at the Title of the original post - "Minimalist ..."

The more we try to improve on the process, the further we get from "minimalist."

---

Elaborate designs are easy. Minimalist designs can be very hard. It has taken me over 10 years
to arrive at my minimalist electronic edge finder.

Mark Twain said “I didn’t have time to write you a short letter so
wrote you a long one.”

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rgsparber

Elaborate designs are easy. Minimalist designs can be very hard. It has taken me over 10 years
to arrive at my minimalist electronic edge finder.

Mark Twain said “I didn’t have time to write you a short letter so
wrote you a long one.”

---

"Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away." - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mklotz

"Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away." - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

---

Outstanding quote!

I’ve saved that one.

Thanks,

Rick

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rgsparber

If the user has a 3D printer, why not just print the entire tag?

Rick

---

Same could be said if one has a label printer(probably more people with 3D printers than label-printers), why not just stick on the label and give it a clear-coat to seal it and give it some durability.

The disadvantage of a 3D print over marking the actual metal is less wear durability and having to glue it on, would also need to use paint to give it better contrast to make it legible so more work. A 3D printed punch template is basically the same as your approach with a bit more control/ease of use(getting tired towards the end having detrimental results on concentration and the result is less of an issue..) and flexibility..

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MasterMaker

Same could be said if one has a label printer(probably more people with 3D printers than label-printers), why not just stick on the label and give it a clear-coat to seal it and give it some durability.

The disadvantage of a 3D print over marking the actual metal is less wear durability and having to glue it on, would also need to use paint to give it better contrast to make it legible so more work. A 3D printed punch template is basically the same as your approach with a bit more control/ease of use(getting tired towards the end having detrimental results on concentration and the result is less of an issue..) and flexibility..

---

I agree that label makers are rare but one could print onto plain paper and use some glue or double-sided tape. I often use Elmer's purple glue sticks which are washable.

I do see value in making a template when the characters will be stamped more than once. 3D printing this template would have its challenges. If the dimensions were not right, the punch would hit the plastic. If this plastic was soft, that would be fine. If hard, it would tend to crack.

Inspired by your idea, I took a piece of aluminum shim stock and make a punch through it with my marking punch with a bit of pine backing it up. This created a bump on the backside. A second punch broke through. Then I put it on my belt sander to remove most of the burr. The result was a proof of concept for a template. I then printed a label with a single letter which I stuck on the aluminum. After hitting each dot twice with the punch and sanding off the burrs, I have a template for this letter.

I plan to make another template with my initials for quick and accurate marking. When I write this up, I'll be sure to give you credit.

Thanks,

Rick