Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Gunsmithing Stamping/Engraving the barrel

Anyone know if a guy can tool up to engrave a barrel like this reasonably? I Hope the pic isn't too hard to see. I was having some trouble with the reflection.

That almost looks like it was laser etched.

Looks to me like a Hermes project.

Looks to me like a Hermes project.

The lettering was pantograph engraved using a New Hermes machine or possibly other brand. The manually operated are available on the secondary market at fairly reasonable prices now that everyone has gone to CNC (computer) operated models. Most jewelers have pantograph engraving machines as do trophy shops. When I was in gunsmithing school we had an agreement with a local jeweler to engrave our guns for $15.00. Some guys that are home shop machinists have engraving machines for marking their projects and might be willing to help for a little beer money. Look around, it shouldn't be hard to find someone to help without going to the expense of purchasing a machine.

Thanks.

I have a few to do, so I don't mind getting one, if it's not too ridiculously priced.

Anyone know what pantograph models are appropriate?

I use a New Hermes GTX-U. I charge about $35 for one line of engraving and $10 for a second line under the first. That assumes that the customer brings in and picks up the gun in the same day so that I don't have to log it in and out.

Clemson

Look at this https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthread..._600_pile_of_tools_pics_as_r#Post6263646 it is what I picked up after searching for a long time. It will show you what the tx/gtx looks like so you can get an idea on fixtures. I ended up with WAY more stuff than I needed, but I lucked out at $500. If you see one even w/o fonts for that price....I would jump on it. EBay seems to hang in the upper 5s and up.

If you are just doing a logo or all the same mark, electro chemical etching can be done quite cheaply...I can share a simple method, but its impractical if you are doing different marks....unless you have a photo development setup or impact printer.

Look like someone used electro-chemical etching on the barrel. They cost around 600 up

You did get a lot of stuff.

I got one of those Martec electrochemical etching things but with barrels, it's not turning out quite like I want. It's a bit difficult to get it smooth enough. They have the photosensitive paper and all you are supposed to be able to run through the printer and fix with a lamp and all. Maybe I just need to practice more with it. But, I'm not happy with how it's turning out so far.

What do you mean smooth?

Figured it would be easier to show you. Besides the fact that I have the calligraphy skills of man with stick, it's just hard to get the lines at a consistent depth and to keep them from looking like it was cut with something besides a blow torch.

I have little experience with the electro etchers. I did build my own, but stencils held me back. How are you making your stencils? I found a lot of good info on knife makers forums on stencil making if you have the stuff to develop them already.

I made the stencil with this wax coated paper and a pointed stylus. Stencils are the problem. It has to come off with clean lines, or else you get what's in that pic with the jagged lines.

Have you seen the stencils made on thermal paper printed with an impact printer?

Can't say that I have.

Try doing some searching for electochemical etching stencils. Many knife maker forums have good info. I bet you would be happy with your setup if the stencils were better.

For s&g, grab a battery charger and a qtip and dissolve as much sea salt in an ounce of warm water as it will take. Ground the positive and grab the qtip with the neg. Wet the qtip enough that the ground clamp can grip the wet qtip.....proceed as you would with your current setup......pretty interesting huh.

Interesting

Thanks

Here's an update with some stencils I made from the . A bit better, but maybe a bit too bold?