How to Use a Branding Iron

In this video, I show how to use a branding iron. I turned the maple handle as part of a kit from Cranford Design Works. Branding irons can be used with multiple different materials such as wood, leather and even cardboard.
CRANFORD DESIGN WORKS:
To order a branding iron or request a quote, visit bit.ly/CDW-Quot...
Be sure to enter "Bruce A. Ulrich" in special requests for 10% off of a branding iron.
The kit I used in this video comes with a turning blank, so I could turn the handle myself. They also sell kits that are ready to use.
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[@ModernBuilds]

Killer! I've been curious how well they work at embossing leather

[@BruceAUlrich]

Works well on some leather, not great on others. That sage colored one sizzled and smelled weird. Ha ha. The brown one did great!

[@GunflintDesigns]

I really like using the drill press method with mine. I actually have the height adjusted so I can set the torch underneath and let it heat up the brand so I don't have to hold it the entire time.

[@BruceAUlrich]

That’s a great idea! I want to experiment more with using it in the drill press too.

[@JonnyBuilds]

Really great & informative video! Off to order a brand now!

[@BruceAUlrich]

Thanks so much for the feedback, Jonny! And cool! I want to see when you get it.

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

That's a great idea with the drill press, didn't realize you could use your brand as a press too.

[@BruceAUlrich]

I didn’t either! They told me about it when I was looking at this one. Supposedly, it is really easy to get consistency if you had quite a few things to brand in a row. They just warned not to press too much with a drill press or you could break the drill press! Ha ha.

[@DIYMontreal]

Awesome thanks for the tutorial. I’d feel more comfortable using a branding iron now. Kinda want to get myself one!

[@BruceAUlrich]

You should! Thanks for watching, Marie!

[@sudoDavid]

I love the part where he goes; "there are plenty of materials other than wood you can use this with..." proceeds to list all wood options! lol ◕‿◕

[@bevyg5635]

I appreciate you explaining the types of wood or leather you can use the iron on. Just wonder where the lengthy part of you creating a handle comes in when the heading is “How to Use a Branding Iron”. I totally understand how proud you are in making your handle, just wanted to get to the info I needed, was even wondering if I clicked on the wrong video, until you covered the info at the end.

[@BruceAUlrich]

Thanks for watching

[@RobertJKeller]

Cool stuff, been thinking about getting one for a while.

[@BruceAUlrich]

I think you ought to pick one up. They’re fun!

[@MadebyMitch]

Great video. Very informative and helpful understanding the process.

[@BruceAUlrich]

Thanks, Mitch! Glad you were able to take something from it.

[@TheWoodPastor]

Awesome info Bruce! Now I want another brand. And I’ve always wanted a lathe! I liked the idea of stamping it into leather too man. Very smart.

[@BruceAUlrich]

Thanks, Stephen! Is your brand a flame heated one too?

[@dekeros-recreationalwoodwo6456]

Great info and that handle turned out awesome Bruce! Well done!

[@BruceAUlrich]

Thanks so much! It was a fun process.

[@TheEveryMaker]

I've been needing to get my hands on a brand, I'll have to check them out! I've been tempted to try and make my own, but there just never seems to be enough time! Nice tip on stamping the leather and doing the gold leaf! I hadn't thought of that, but that would be a really cool accent!

[@BruceAUlrich]

We’ve all been tempted, Nick we’ve all been tempted. Ha. I decided to just outsource this one. The gold leaf was Philip Cranford’s idea...and I think it looks really cool!

[@FranksDIY]

I've been wanting to do that myself for a long time. Have a friend that can do it but been waiting a year. May just have to go out and buy one. I like the branding to show kind of like a signature.

[@BruceAUlrich]

Yeah, it is a great way to mark your work! I am really pleased with the quality of this one...check them out. Thanks for watching, Frank!

[@GetSquarewTomJolley]

I enjoyed your video, nice work! That handle turned out great.

[@BruceAUlrich]

Thanks so much, Tom! I was really pleased with the handle. Turned out to be some flame maple...BONUS!

[@CReevesMakes]

Nice video Bruce! Thanks!

[@BruceAUlrich]

Thanks so much, Casey!

[@FigmentsMade]

Great video, Bruce! Thanks for doing all the work. I've been thinking about getting a branding iron for a little while. It's great to see that this will work for pressing too!

[@BruceAUlrich]

Thanks so much! I was surprised by that fabulist too. I like how you can just remove the head and put it into a press so easily.

[@FigmentsMade]

It's a feature I hadn't even known to look for. :)

[@BruceAUlrich]

Me neither!

[@matthod]

Great video! I've always thought brands were cool. Something about seeing the smoke come off and it altering the surface is fascinating to me.

[@BruceAUlrich]

Thanks, Matt! I agree...that is a fascinating part. And I like how you can achieve a different look just by altering the material or the heat or how long you hold it on there.

[@JoJociitaful]

I know this video is a few years old, but it’s incredibly helpful and I was hoping you were still around to answer questions on it! Being a complete novice, I’m still exploring. Would branding work successfully on thin bamboo sheets? I’m looking to make plant labels/stakes but I don’t want to choose a wood that won’t hold up to a branding tool. I just like the weight of bamboo. If you think it would be suitable, how long would you suggest to press for a solid brand? Thank you!!

[@BruceAUlrich]

Thank you! It would depend on the brand and how it is heated. Some are flame heated and some are electric. If the piece is thin, I don’t think it would take long to make the mark, but you’ll likely have to do some experiments. I think bamboo would be fine.

[@plum8lossom]

Great information! Could you share on how long should we brand the wood until the stamp comes out nice and clear? Tried few times but it's kind of hir and miss for me ( too burnt/too light ) thanks in advance!

[@BruceAUlrich]

Thank you! It really does depend on the amount you heat the branding iron as to how clean it turns out. With a flame heated one like I have, it is a bit trickier. I think rather than asking how long you should hold it on the wood to brand it, you should possibly look for other things. Experiment a little bit to see if there is another indicator like when a little wisp of smoke starts to rise. That might be the point that you remove it from the material. I have found this to be true. I can look for a little bit of smoke to rise and usually, it looks pretty nice.

[@CuriousCreator]

Super cool video! Can’t wait to get my own up and running. I assume this one is brass? Do you know much of the difference or advantages of iron (steel) vs brass?

[@BruceAUlrich]

Thanks, Edd! Yes, the head of this one is solid brass. I’m assuming brass is just a better conductor of heat. But it might be more fragile than the steel. It might handle multiple heatings better without degradation of the design (brass that is)

[@CuriousCreator]

Bruce A. Ulrich well mines steel. But I’m treating it as a ‘work in progress’ but the steel was cheaper than brass, so I might go back and re do it! Great video though loads of good info :)

[@BruceAUlrich]

Well, all of the old ones were iron, so you’ll be fine. I can’t wait for the experiments. I want to see what you come up with!

[@brendawiegand7825]

I tried using a hot plate to heat my small brander. It works ok. I have small torch so may try the too. But woodburning art is usually small and done inside. Any thoughts on the heat plate?

[@BruceAUlrich]

I’ve had a couple of friends use hot plates. I think it can work but it takes a long time to bring up to heat.

[@DylanGalvinMusic]

Can you use a branding iron on coffee mugs? Ceramic or stoneware mugs?

[@BruceAUlrich]

I don’t think so

[@BronkBuilt]

Do you think giving a dunk in a bucket of water to cool it down faster would be bad for it? Thinking I'm just the type of guy to grab the hot end after setting it down.

[@BruceAUlrich]

Yeah, I think that might be bad for it. Not sure what the properties of brass are. Maybe someone else who knows more about brass can comment?

[@quinnwhelen8581]

I have some tap handles that I'm branding. Have you ever done it on something with a slight shape? The handles have a slight dip in one area.

[@BruceAUlrich]

Most branding irons are not going to do well on anything but a flat surface. Are there any laser engravers in your area? You might be able to outsource them for a reasonable price.

[@quinnwhelen8581]

@@BruceAUlrich Nope. I'll have to get creative possibly.

[@BruceAUlrich]

​@@quinnwhelen8581 I just had another thought. What if you ordered a rubber stamp, but just the sheet part...without it being attached to a block or handle? Then, you could possibly stamp on that part and accommodate some of the shape. Of course, this would have to do with the type of finish you were using. If it was lacquer or something you spray, it should work.

[@pascalgauthier7009]

Thanks for the tips. I have a question... I just got a branding iron with my logo, problem... I had started making my wood objects and have already put lacker on them. Is it possible to use the iron even though there is lacker ? ( for the futur I will brand my objects before using the lacker of course ). Thanks

[@BruceAUlrich]

Yeah, I think you’ll be fine to use the branding iron on the lacquer. However, just know that it might look a little rustic. You won’t be able to sand off any smoke stain since your piece is already finished. The branding iron should burn right through it though. And it’ll be a bit more stinky. Ha. Thanks for watching!

[@leostankovic2426]

Can you use a stamp on a candle?

[@BruceAUlrich]

I guess you could, but it might melt really quickly

[@keirfernie6380]

Can you brand fabric? Like canvas? Thanks.

[@BruceAUlrich]

I think you probably could. It would just take some testing to make sure you're not burning it too much. I would think raw canvas would work better than the stretched kind that you paint on. That stretched canvas usually has jesso in it, which will turn goopy when you put a hot branding iron on it.

[@spkendrick]

I don’t think you ever answered how hot the iron has to be to get a good mark

[@BruceAUlrich]

S.P.K SR. It’s kind of subjective. You have to do some experiments and different materials mark differently. I try to wait until I see kind of iridescent shadow flash across the brass of my branding iron and then it is usually ready.