Woodturning - How to make a Branding Iron

[@GordonRock1]

Brilliant job, Mike! Someone out there is going to make a lot of money selling brass rods that so many turners didn't realize they "needed" until now!! Thanks for sharing the idea and the technique. Take care, .....Gord

[@MikeWaldt]

Thanks Gord, and apologies for the late response :) Take care my friend Mike

[@karolskakes388]

Great simple idea, thanks for passing it on Mike. I'm sure you will find many uses for it. Happy Turning!! Mark

[@MikeWaldt]

Hi Mark, I like simple ;) Thanks for watching Cheers Mike

[@alansimpson596]

Interesting project Mike. I watch Jimmie often and he's very versatile with his projects.

[@MikeWaldt]

Thanks Alan, Jimmie is a mine of good stuff, that's for sure. Cheers Mike

[@JimmiePorterAtStuartArts]

What a cool video Mike - it made my day! And a great job on that iron!

[@MikeWaldt]

Hi Jimmie, and thanks again to you for the inspiration ... and the end project is no where near as good as yours ... but I'll keep trying :) Take care my friend Mike

[@JimG31547]

Mike, That handle you turned really makes for a fancy tool. Thanks for sharing, Jim

[@MikeWaldt]

Thanks James ... the handle looks better than the iron ... that's for sure ... lol ;) Cheers Mike

[@More-Space-In-Ear]

Hiya Mike, another great video, cheers.. just a couple of notes, when using the tap & die, reverse the cut every so often (3 cuts in, one reverse cut back), this helps clearing out the hole and cutter from debris.....secondly, make sure you use something heatproof to lean the hot iron on or against, don’t want accidents … treat it like a soldering iron 👍🏼😊

[@MikeWaldt]

Hi Mark, and thanks for the tips, as I said in the video ... I'm no metalworker ... lol. Take care Mike

[@cunningstunts3329]

Great idea, Mike. I’ve been pondering how to make one of these. Many thanks for the tip.

[@MikeWaldt]

Thanks Graham, but be sure to make a neater job than I did mate. Shouldn't be to hard to achieve me thinks ... lol Take care mate Mike

[@RickTurnsWoodturning]

Excellent video, Mike!

[@MikeWaldt]

Thanks very much Rick. Cheers Mike

[@dennisbeamish9058]

Mike Nice project for some inspiration. A thought to consider? I found that I was not particularly happy with my branding results when holding the iron by hand. It was difficult to hold a level/straight and even pressure - thus giving a less than crisp brand. What I found was to eliminate the handle, and just hold the tool shaft in either my drill press (for vertical size requirements) or a Jacob's Chuck in the lathe (for horizontal size options) -- then simply use the press or the quill on the lathe to advance the brand into the piece. This method gives me much better control of even pressure, giving a much more crisp brand. As you know, different wood species brand differently due to density and colour. With this method you have very good control on the pressure needed for even branding. This also an easy and safe way to hold the branding rod while heating. Not intended to criticize your work - just a thought on an optional method of branding. As you always say, "my way is not the only way, or necessarily the best way - but my way" -- I love that phrase you use. Regards Dennis Beamish Cambridge Ontario Canada

[@MikeWaldt]

Hi Dennis, and thank you. Thanks also for the suggested alternatives, they sound a good way to try as well. never stop your input, as it is always food for thought. Take care Mike

[@cleatus-p8h]

Thanks for the great directions! I'm going to tackle this project myself soon. And thank you for the wonderful, well taught wood turning videos!

[@MikeWaldt]

My pleasure Ami, and thank you for your kind words and support. Cheers Mike

[@lewisgardner1660]

Hi Mike Very interesting video, it's nice to see other things being made using the wood lathe and not just bowls etc, keep up the good work.

[@dalefrank1216]

Hi Mike, because of your video I was able to make my stamp! You are a inspiration to me, thanks!

[@MikeWaldt]

Hi Dale, and I bet it is a much better stamp than mine, no doubts there me thinks ;) Glad you were inspired to make your own. Take care Mike

[@dalefrank1216]

Mike Waldt it is only two letters DF, I used a hack saw and dremel, watched you and tried to do the same, wife told me I should clean out a little deeper and that's what I did! I wouldn't of had a clue what to do if I hadn't watched your video, thanks again!

[@hraun2berg]

Thank you for the idea Mike, I didn't know where to find some brass sylinder. Thanks again. Júlíus

[@MikeWaldt]

eBay is a great place to source stuff Julius, thanks for watching. Cheers Mike

[@thomasarussellsr]

Nicely done, Mike.

[@MikeWaldt]

Thank you Thomas Take care Mike

[@SJWoodworks]

Nice video, Mike, as always. Looks like a proper job for a CNC machine to engrave your mark in the brass.

[@ernestthebo5441]

Thanks Mike. I made one for my next door friend who's also a woodworker and one for myself. Both work great. Though your carving looks better than mine, the end result of the letters is all that matters. I'm making a series of gifts for my two-year-old granddaughter for for each birthday until she's 18 and I'm pleased that she'll have may mark on them. As a side note, I'm working on a way to chemically etch the pattern into the brass. I hope to get finer detail that way.

[@MikeWaldt]

Glad you found the video useful Ernest, the etching solution sounds very interesting.

[@glenmckelvey5952]

Nicely done Mike . Cheers take care.

[@MikeWaldt]

Thank you Glen Cheers Mike

[@pacificwoodworks9089]

Nice work! I'll be trying this over the weekend!

[@MikeWaldt]

Let me know how you get on, and thank you. Cheers Mike

[@andrewjackson4422]

I've wanted to make a branding iron for a long time and this points the way. By the way I saw the follow-up video first. and that inspired me to watch this one. Thanks Mike.

[@MikeWaldt]

+Andrew Jackson Glad you found the video helpful Andrew Thanks for watching Cheers Mike

[@icespeckledhens]

It works, Mike and that is all that matters. I enjoyed the video and it is a base for ideas. Hope you are well after all this cold and rain. James

[@CraftWithAfshin]

Very nice Mike i said it on jimmies video i needed one of them and here couple weeks after and i totally forgot you did great i like the handle design!

[@MikeWaldt]

Thank you Afshin. Cheers Mike

[@baconsoda]

I love tapping threads... it gives me great joy and satisfaction because I'm not an engineer and I know magic is happening right in front of me. That's a good project.

[@MikeWaldt]

My first time Brendan, lots to learn, might do it again sometime ;) Take care mate Mike PS - Hope your on the mend.

[@baconsoda]

I'm doing rightly now thanks Mike, very weak but that's normal according to my doctor. B.

[@ilyaivanov1745]

Thanks for the video, Mike! A very good idea!

[@MikeWaldt]

Thank you, much appreciated. Cheers Mike

[@alanrouse8301]

Very interesting, Mike. I have been wanting to make a branding iron for some time . If I had known it would be that easy I would have don it a long time ago THANKS! I am going to "give it a go" as they say across the pond LOL

[@MikeWaldt]

Glad you liked the idea Alan, good luck mate :) Cheers Mike

[@hoold01]

Always good to see your work Mike. Thanks.

[@MikeWaldt]

Thank you Gareth, that's kind of you mate. Cheers Mike

[@MikeG3PGA]

Thanks Mike. Another interesting idea. The thought did cross my mind a while ago but the commercial ones are so expensive, Looks like another workshop job in prospect. Regards de Mike the Grinder

[@MikeWaldt]

Glad you liked the idea Mick, and thanks for watching mate. Cheers Mike

[@tmikeporter]

Mike! Looks like you need a wood stove in your shop...can see your breath. I am inspired to perspire and make one. I noted your tip on the logo to create. Think ahead on the design on how easy it is to create in relief and in reverse. Critical!

[@MikeWaldt]

It is a bit chilly at the moment Mike. Thanks for watching. Cheers Mike

[@gwynneclark6372]

Well done .Must try making a makers mark ,thank you Mike for sharing .

[@MikeWaldt]

Thank you Gwynne Cheers Mike

[@TurningWorks]

Clear instruction Mike, another thing that I have to do! 👍🍺

[@MikeWaldt]

Thanks Dave, just make sure it's better than mine ... shouldn't be too hard tp achieve that eh? ;) Take care mate Mike

[@billy19461]

Thank you so much. I was wanting to make one myself.

[@MikeWaldt]

Pleasure Billy :) Take care Mike

[@alecsnyder7]

great video sir! A tip for next time. Chuck the brass slug into your lathe, and use the live center to center your tap. There should be a center mark at the back end of the tap. Just put the tap into the tap handle and the the live center in the center mark of the tap. Do not tighten the tail stock very much when screwing in the tap, just use it to steady the tap. Cheers Sir!

[@MikeWaldt]

Thank you Alec, and great suggestion too. many thanks and take care Mike

[@PietroMaker]

Hi, im a little woodworker and creator, i appreciate your work !

[@MikeWaldt]

Thank you Pietro Cheers Mike

[@MikeWaldt]

Thanks again Pietro Cheers Mike

[@Bramsshed1913]

I was watching Stuart arts video only the other day and commented by saying that I was considering purchasing a custom made one but the price put me off. I shall at some time have a go at making my own based on Stuarts video but first, I need to scrounge some brass from where I used to work :) Cheers Mike and great video by the way! Bram

[@MikeWaldt]

Hi Bram, go on give it a go, and I bet yours will be a lot neater than mine ... well you wouldn't have to try too hard to achieve that now would you...lol Take care mate Mike

[@Bramsshed1913]

Hi mike I did have a go the other day and I used the end of an old small brass door bolt and although not that good its not that bad either.. I made a B for Bram :) ...will still be on the scrounge at where I used to work though lol Cheers mate Bram

[@danhealy7341]

Hi Mike. Nice video. I’m already looking to buy a piece of brass and get started. Here in the states we call it threaded rod also. Only recently have I heard it called all thread. Is the finish you used available over here?

[@stembolt9]

Dan Healy i

[@MikeWaldt]

Thanks Dan, hope you enjoy making it. You can get Hampshire Sheen from Jeff Hornung at TheWalnutLog Studio in the US mate :) Cheers Mike

[@danhealy7341]

Thanks for the information Mike. I look forward to making the iron and will look into buying the Hampshire sheen

[@alanmullock381]

Price of brass just trippled!😁😁😁😁😁

[@MikeWaldt]

LOLOL Alan. take care mate Mike

[@PaulLockwood]

An interesting project that turned out well in the end. I'm guessing you should still be able to tidy up the lettering now. I think when using the tap you should wind in a turn and then out half a turn all the time. Helps to clear the thread as you keep cutting it. Well done!

[@MikeWaldt]

Thanks Paul, when I get the time I will have it much better ... when I get time ;) Appreciate your tip as well mate. Take care Mike

[@WilliamHuntLatheCraft]

Thanks for sharing Mike. It would take some serious Dremel skills to make something intricate, this is one of the reasons I opted for for 35mm disc inserts, which I engrave using a cheap laser from Amazon.

[@MikeWaldt]

William, I agree, but it was just to show a method to achieve something that works. my end product is proof, that more time and effort should have been used ;) Take care mate Mike

[@TomSavadel]

It’s a great idea to have a personal branded. Do you think it would be easier and more controllable to utilize the drill press for brass removal?

[@MikeWaldt]

Thanks Tom, now that is an idea I must have a go with. Cheers Mike

[@ronswoodturningshopandstuf5759]

Just finished mine! Dremel and brass is tedious but worth it. Thanks for the video!

[@MikeWaldt]

Great stuff Ron! It is for sure tedious .. I will spend more time ... when I have it to clean it up a bit :) Cheers Mike

[@bernardfutter5327]

Hello Mike, Another timely video, thanks. Just started signing and dating my work with 5mm punches; needing enough remaining wood!To clean up the centre of your brand a cheap compound table and 3mm end mill bit would suffice, with the workpiece well clamped down. I'm no metalworker either, but

[@MikeWaldt]

Thank you Bernard, and thanks also for the tip re the compound table :) Take care Mike

[@philliplangley-may1922]

Thanks for a very informative tutorial.

[@MikeWaldt]

My pleasure Phillip, and thank you for watching my friend. Cheers Mike

[@wood4nothing284]

Very good tutorial I need to make one but I need (W4N) on one I think I would need a flat bar or wider round bar with it been three letter. Cheers Tim from wood 4 nothing.

[@MikeWaldt]

Thank you, very rough result, but it was the method I was trying to show :)

[@AlFurtado]

Very nice and useful tutorial. a nice alternative to spending 100 dollars to have someone make it for you you also designed a nice Logo. I need to change my name to something cool LOL.Take care

[@MikeWaldt]

Thanks Al. Your name is already mega cool my friend :) Take care Mike

[@micjwelch]

Very nice. I actually used to do that same MW symbol.

[@MikeWaldt]

Thanks Michael, good initials eh? lol Take care Mike

[@alanrenwick7667]

Hi Mike, very interesting project. What size brass rod did you use?

[@MikeWaldt]

Hi Alan, thank you ... it was 1" diameter mate. Cheers Mike

[@peterleffler2062]

Great video again Mike. I'm just wondering to myself whether, on a round piece there is a correct way up? I suppose if you want to account for figure or where you have put /will put some writing then there is! Now there's economical - Q and A in one post!

[@MikeWaldt]

Thanks Peter .. and a huge LOL for your parting Q & A :) :) Cheers Mike

[@PeterOConnl]

Hi Mike, what sanding sealer was that you're using? Did you make it yourself, if so, how? Cheers

[@MikeWaldt]

Hi peter, I use Chestnut Cellulose Sanding Sealer 3 parts thinned with 1 part Cellulose Thinners. Cheers Mike

[@KagedCreations08XX]

Nice work!

[@MikeWaldt]

Thank you Sir! Cheers Mike

[@adrianolsen-woodhamwoodtur4980]

Great advice, as ever, Mike.....many thanks

[@MikeWaldt]

Glad you liked it Adrian.

[@justgreg57]

well done video. What is the diameter of the brass you used?

[@MikeWaldt]

Thanks Greg, it was 1" diameter mate. Cheers Mike

[@CarlJacobson]

Nicely done mate! You need to find a special place in the shop for Ron's sticker...lol :) Take care, Carl

[@MikeWaldt]

+Carl Jacobson Thanks Carl, I already have already found the ideal place for it ;) Take care Mike

[@sethnoah6451]

i know Im kinda off topic but does anyone know of a good website to watch new series online ?

[@pauldawson5418]

@Seth Noah lately I have been using Flixzone. Just google for it =)

[@ralpharjun2149]

@Paul Dawson yup, I've been watching on Flixzone for months myself :)

[@sethnoah6451]

@Paul Dawson Thank you, I went there and it seems like a nice service =) I really appreciate it !!

[@lutzkunstler1297]

Hello Mike , just to your video about the cutting a thread into a wooden face plate, where would I find a tap M33x3.5mm which is reasonable in price? They are all around the £ 50 mark and pretty pricey for I like to make ! Good video and follow up about the branding iron, I might think about it in future then my items are a slightly better quality. best wishes Lutz

[@MikeWaldt]

Hi Lutz, I got mine from The Tool Post here in the UK, but you may be able to get similar, say on eBay. Hope this helps Mike

[@phillallen01]

Nice video Mike it looks a bit cold in you shop I wish I would have watch this before I bought one but I may have a go anyway take care Mike looking forward to watching more videos from you

[@MikeWaldt]

Thanks Phil, cold ... cold ...b----y freezing matey ;) I'm sure the bought one is far prettier than my attempt, but it just shows the procedure ... not the final outcome as it could be with more time spent on it. Take care Mike

[@phillallen01]

Mike Waldt yeh but there is nothing like making your own

[@Highlandboxes]

Great video thanks Mike :-)

[@MikeWaldt]

Thanks Pam, appreciate you stopping by. Cheers Mike

[@alanrouse8301]

Com on Mike, spit it out! It happens to all of us at sometime or another. Enjoyed the "show"! :)

[@josephkerley363]

Thanks, now I’m inspired.

[@MikeWaldt]

Much appreciated Joseph Cheers Mike

[@yuvallahav]

Yep, that should work buddy, great project!!! :) Yuval

[@MikeWaldt]

Lol ... thanks Yuval. By no means perfect ... but as you say it works :) Cheers Mike

[@glennmay6204]

Hello Mike, Brilliant. I really don't need one, but I want one. . . I don't need one, but I really want one. . . If I really want one then perhaps I should have one. . . Since I must have one, I should make one too! Shaz will love the fact that I'm using the tools that I insisted were essential for woodworking tasks, (although I think she added them to her ”keeping me out of her way” list). . . . Brilliant! Regards, Glenn. :-)

[@MikeWaldt]

LOLOL Glenn, so well put mate ... I'm glad you view things the same way that I do! ;) Take care Mike

[@tomasarguinzoni9022]

Thank for the idea

[@MikeWaldt]

My pleasure, and thank you for watching Tomas Cheers Mike

[@JamesW81]

Hi Mike, Been watching your videos for a while now and I'm picking up my first lathe (managed to get a union graduate for a good price) in a week or two. The gent I'm buying it off is throwing a few tools in with it but I'm not sure about what type of chuck I should get. As a total beginner what would you recommend? I'm thinking it would be good to have something quite versatile to give me some scope to try different things. Hope all is well and keep up the great work! Cheers, James

[@MikeWaldt]

Hi James, a great lathe no doubt there mate :) I am not sure what the spindle size is of the Graduate, but would suggest speaking to Peter Helmsley at the Tool Post, assuming your in the UK. He is a very knowledgeable guy, and always willing to help. www.toolpost.co.uk// Hope this helps Cheers Mike

[@JamesW81]

Mike Waldt Yeah I'm UK, just outside of Durham.... I'll have a look at that link as soon as I'm finished work. Thanks for the advice, hopefully speak to you soon :) cheers

[@MrSkeeter18]

Thanks Mike

[@MikeWaldt]

My pleasure Skeeter.

[@RayShaw007]

Bloomin cold in your workshop Mike. Try breathing fire instead of condensation. It'll warm you up! Another good video. Keep up the good work!

[@MikeWaldt]

Very cold Ray, if I could breath fire I could heat up the branding iron on my own ;) Take care, and thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed it Mike

[@barrywood8886]

Hi Mike, after watching you make your branding iron I wondered if there was another, easier way to make one. So, being the lazy bugger that I am, I started thinking. Does it NEED to be made from brass? Do I need to use multiple peices of metal to make it? I discovered that the answer to both of these was NO. I realised that steel is a great conductor of heat and that it also holds heat pretty well too. So my solution was to use a steel bolt with a good sized head. This saved the time and effort needed to create threads as it is a solid unit that has it's own thread. I used my dremel to make the design of the brand, this was the most time consuming part, and put a piece of beech on the lathe to make the handle. I know that this is cheating and lazy, but it suits my purposes and requires no knowledge of metal work. This all being said, if it wasn't for your video I probably wouldn't have even thought about other ways do do it. Plus, as usual, I thoroughly enjoyed watching the video. So thank you for making me think.

[@MikeWaldt]

+Barry Wood Great variation Barry, actually wish I'd thought of that! Cheers Mike

[@ruthmoore1448]

That was great, thank you !!!

[@MikeWaldt]

Thanks for watching Ruth. Cheers Mike

[@ohm7429]

GREAT !!!! Grande !!!! 👍

[@MikeWaldt]

Thank you Cheers Mike

[@jonlewislive]

Thank you!

[@MikeWaldt]

My pleasure Jon and thanks for watching.

[@ravensburgpiet]

Weel I'd get a heater going in there haha then your lettering would turn out better as well,see ya Piet.

[@MikeWaldt]

LOLOL Pieter, I think a lot more than heat is needed to improve my metalwork skills significantly ;) Cheers Mike

[@AsWoodTurns]

I'll have to make one for myself. Definitely not MW. :)

[@MikeWaldt]

+As Wood Turns Lol Alan :) Cheers Mike

[@leongt1954]

By the time I got all the parts to make an iron it would be cheaper to have one made for $36 her in Aus

[@MikeWaldt]

Each to their own.

[@kenmcgowansze4572]

Rule #1 don’t wear long sleeved shirts near a lathe !

[@MikeWaldt]

But ... but I'm not turning at the lathe!!