How to Use a Wood Branding Iron
Cowboys have a well-known association with the branding iron. The tool is used as a means of identifying cattle in open-range grazing or in case of theft. Those involved in wood crafts use branding irons for a similar reason. Proper branding helps the artisan become identified with his work. In fact, L.S. Irish of "Classic Carving Patterns" says that marking wood not only helps connect the artist with her product, it also "adds to the fun of the craft." Artists have several options for marking their creations.
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Things You'll Need
- Heat source
- Branding tool
- Branding heads
- Practice material
- Branding items
- Protective gloves
Instructions
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Electric Brander
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1
Plug the temperature control unit into a 120-volt outlet. Use a temperature control unit as a heat source and a means of extending the life of your branding iron.
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2
Attach the selected branding head securely to the branding iron. Securing the head to the iron ensures proper transfer of heat from iron to wood surface when branding and avoids slippage. Plug the branding iron into the heating unit.
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3
Turn the temperature control unit up to 70 percent strength when branding wood, as suggested by "Branding Irons Unlimited." Place the iron on a heat resistant surface. Wait roughly 20 minutes for the branding iron and head to heat up.
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4
Apply the heated branding head to the practice material. Practice making the brand to determine the heat readiness of your iron. Adjust the iron to a higher temperature if you want a darker brand mark. Decrease the temperature if you want a lighter brand mark. Remember, the amount of time needed to make a brand varies due to elements such as working materials and temperatures.
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5
Select the item to be branded. Press the heated iron firmly into the wood. Remove the iron immediately from the branded wood. Pull the iron straight up to avoid smudging the brand.
Drill Press Brander
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6
Follow Steps 1 through 3 in Section 1 for heating the drill press brander.
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7
Disengage the safety switch on the drill press when using a drill press branding iron. Insert the shaft of the branding iron into the drill press. Lock it tightly into place with the drill press chuck.
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8
Determine the heat readiness of the branding iron and practice your branding technique by applying the branding head to the practice material. Adjust to a higher temperature if a darker brand is desired. Decrease the temperature if a lighter brand is desired. Remember, the amount of time needed to make a brand varies with elements such as working materials and temperatures.
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9
Select the item to be branded. Press the heated iron firmly into the wood. Remove the iron immediately from the branded wood.
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10
Press the branding iron into the wood and lift it off the wood, using the"drill press quill," as directed by "Branding Irons Unlimited." Exert no more force than what naturally occurs with your drill press, since this could damage your branding equipment.
Fire Heated Brander
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11
Attach the handle to the branding head securely. Put on protective gloves before approaching open flames with the branding head.
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12
Hold the head over the open flames. Adjust the heating time based upon proximity to the flames, size of branding head and material to be branded. Heat the branding iron to a gray glowing color. Remember, as "WTM: Branding Irons Crafted from Stainless Steel" explains, a black head is too cold and won't brand distinctly, and a flame orange head is too hot and will brand too deeply or smudge the brand.
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13
Secure the wood product in place before applying the branding iron. Push the iron solidly into the wood and wiggle it gently to evenly distribute heat from the branding head and to create an even mark.
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14
Apply the brand for three to five seconds, depending upon the desired distinctness of the brand. Avoid the steam produced by the branding process as the branding iron might slip and mar the wood. Re-branding is ill advised as it can smudge the brand mark.
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15
Repeat Steps 2 through 4 if more than one item is being branded.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Avoid bumping the hot branding iron as the metal is soft and susceptible to damage.
Immerse branding heads in a bucket of sand or use a wire brush to remove carbon and other debris.
Apply a protective coat of oil to the clean branding head before storing it.
Reduce possibly harmful fumes by always branding in a well ventilated work area.
Avoid unexpected burns by remembering that the head of the branding iron takes longer to cool than it does to heat up.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit branding a calf image by bawinner from Fotolia.com
