Marking steel

[David ColwillParticipant @davidcolwill19261]

I have a need to be able to mark steel. Paint markers are okay but on my Coventry die heads this soon wears off. I don't want to etch or engrave and whilst I could fix some kind of tag this seems like bother.

The idea came to me that if I put some Blackfast solution into an empty marker pen, I could end up with a pen that would produce black writing that would not easily rub off.

It works… Sort of!

There are some issues.

Firstly it is too thin!

Secondly it doesn't stick very well.

The only thing I had to hand to try and thicken it with was some clay. This produced the result in the photo. I wiped the surface with IPA (not the bitter!) Then wrote on the steel. I waited about a minute and wiped it clean.

The writing can be taken off with scotchbrite but would appear to be pretty resistant otherwise.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to improve this?

David.

[David ColwillParticipant @davidcolwill19261]

Experiments so far!

[pgk pgkParticipant @pgkpgk17461]

Stamp with a letter or number and keep a reference sheet? Or one of those cheap hobby engraving pens and hand write. You can get paint marker pens that are supposedly 'permanent' on steel and stone or perhaps write with phosphoric acid (jelonet) – should leave it discoloured. When I was working one of the nurses threw some permanganate crystals into the sink to rinse away – they marked the stainless quite effectively…

pgk

[Speedy Builder5Participant @speedybuilder5]

Electric spark etch ?? or todays technology, laser etch. Would electric etch be preferable to chemical etch ??

Live Dangerously

Professional etch

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

The man's mad! Not speedy builder, his link with the mains electric pencil

[JohnFParticipant @johnf59703]

Plus one for Duncan's observation ! I simply cannot understand why Youtube would allow this to remain on file, someone will surely end up with serious injury or worse.

[Author]

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