Engraving

[Bsmith]

I would like to engrave my lathe change gears with the number of teeth as paint marker etc just rubs off. I have a little tool like a dremmel, can someone suggest what sort of bit/tip I would need to use? Or is there some other way I could mark the gears? They are cast iron.

 

[RonA]

I would like to engrave my lathe change gears with the number of teeth as paint marker etc just rubs off. I have a little tool like a dremmel, can someone suggest what sort of bit/tip I would need to use? Or is there some other way I could mark the gears? They are cast iron.

My Dremel look alike tool came with some small ball ended diamond dust coated cutters. Cast iron is quite soft & you can easily engrave the numbers with one of those. Why not finish off by rubbing white paint into the engraved numbers, then quickly wipe it off the excess to make the number stand out.
RonA

 

[JEZGUZ]

If you've got a compressor, have a look for pen engravers. They use a carbide tip and will be okay on just about anything.

 

[Wallace]

If you were local I could do them on my CNC engraver as I like a challenge!

 

[Kent]

I have used the little ball tool to mark parts LH & RH etc in my own little dremmel. Even Hardened parts!!

 

[Digger6135]

Or use low voltage high current electricity, using a welding tungsten as a scriber, but wear gloves it might get hot!!

Digger6135

 

[marlinspike]

Would these be any good? Metal stamps at Screwfix, only £3.09:

http://m.screwfix.com/p/letter-number-stamp-36pc/92801

 

[Cobbler]

I understand you can mark tools using a ordinary graphite pencil & connect it to car battery, never tried it though.

 

[Wendelspanswick]

http://m.instructables.com/id/Salt-Water-Metal-Etching/

 

[Bsmith]

Thanks everyone for the replies, think I will get a diamond tip burr and give it a go first, if unhappy I'll try one of the electric ways. Pneumatic engraving pens look quite pricey especially for a one off job, can't think of anything else I would use it for. I have got metal stamps but would be scared to use on cast iron. I'm near Preston Lancs Wallace.

 

[ronan]

I bought one of the record electric engravers when they were on special offer in the local engineers suppliers. Great bit of kit, i engrave my name on all my tools. Its a bit tricky to use at first but you soon get the hang of it.

 

[Bsmith]

Thanks ronan, I'm bidding on a second hand one as the job really does not warrant the price of buying new.