Signing your work ...

[Tim Boger]

I would like some suggestions about what works best for signing lathe turned pieces.

I have seen some use a sharpie and seal over it but I like the burned in look better.

Watching Malcolm Tibbetts new video (very good BTW) I noticed his engraving tool allows for very small lettering which I like.

What has worked well for you guys?

Thanks ... Tim

[David Christopher]

I would like some suggestions about what works best for signing lathe turned pieces.

I have seen some use a sharpie and seal over it but I like the burned in look better.

Watching Malcolm Tibbetts new video (very good BTY) I noticed his engraving tool allows for very small lettering which I like.

What has worked well for you guys?

Thanks ... Tim

Tim, I tried using one of those cheap wood burners and it was like trying to write with your foot then Tony Greenway talked me into buying a burnmaster and man that thing is like writing with a expensive pen...try one and youll buy one

[Tim Boger]

Tim, I tried using one of those cheap wood burners and it was like trying to write with your foot then Tony Greenway talked me into buying a burnmaster and man that thing is like writing with a expensive pen...try one and youll buy one

Thanks for the suggestion Dave, I'll take a look at it.

Tim

[Jeff Nicol]

I used to write on the bottom with a very fine rollerball precision pen and could write very small, I even signed my miniatures. Now I use a vibrating engraver to do it, it blends in and does not detract from the piece or hide any thing. It is fast and does a great job.

Jeff

[Steve Schlumpf]

Tim - I use a black archival pen (India ink) to sign my work. Let it dry for a minute and it's ready for finishing!

[Bruce Shiverdecker]

So far, the best I've been able to come up with is the archival pen that Steve mentioned.

Bruce

[Tim Boger]

Thanks guys for your help!

I know this may sound like a dumb question but I want to be certain, I'm thinking when signing with an archival pen it would be done before any finish went on. Is that correct?

Tim

[Steve Schlumpf]

Tim - sign on bare wood and let it dry for a minute or so and then you can apply your finish of choice.

I did forget to sign one time and signed after about 3 coats of poly - with the intention of applying more poly after it dried. Didn't work. Learned that when using an archival pen - sign on the bare wood and you are good to go!

[Tim Boger]

Tim - sign on bare wood and let it dry for a minute or so and then you can apply your finish of choice.

I did forget to sign one time and signed after about 3 coats of poly - with the intention of applying more poly after it dried. Didn't work. Learned that when using an archival pen - sign on the bare wood and you are good to go!

Thanks Steve, this really sounds like a better technique than burning it in as I have been doing.

Tim

[Bernie Weishapl]

I use a archival pen and india ink like Stever on bare wood.

[Brian George]

Where does one find an archival pen and are there quality differences?
Thanks for the input...
Is it OK for vegetarians to eat animal crackers??

[Steve Schlumpf]

Brian - any art supplies store carries them. I picked mine up at a local Ben Franklin but have seen them at Michaels and Hobby Lobby.

[Allen Neighbors]

Made my own woodburner from a battery charger. Gets hotter than the little cheapies. My trembling hands make either, woodburning or ink, look just as bad.

[Bill Blasic]

I use a Pigma Micron 005, I have found no finish that affects this ink. The 005 is a very fine lined pen and they have bigger ones. In the past I've tried burning and vibrating but the Pigma gets me a better looking signature. I got mine at Pat Catans but you should be able to find them at places like Michaels or A.C. Moore.

[Burt Alcantara]

Another vote for archival pen. I buy them at Walmart. At my Wallyworld, they are in some not-in-the-logical-place area so you may have to do a search and rescue.

I also have a Burnmaster but it's buried somewhere in the shop. Once I set up a finishing table I will begin to use the Burnmaster.