Source for letter/numeral marking punches?

[jerrytug]

Hello a quick question if anyone knows..

I want to buy some letter and number punches, for use on copper, to make permanent "labels" to fix on my boat. To mark things like "Fuel Tank Breather-Do not Cover" for example.
I would like them at least 1/2" high letters, and if possible, in an attractive classical font to suit an old wooden sailing boat. Asking a lot I know..

There are plenty on fleabay, but all small and made in the far east, and they don't show what the letters look like, so you don't know what you're buying.

So is there a specialist supplier of such kits? I would rather pay more and keep them for life.

Thanks Jerry

(I have definitely seen large letters stamped in non-ferrous tags, on old British tugs and trawlers, to identify valves etc so they must exist)

 

[vince01]

Cant say ive ever seen any punches with styalised numbers or letters, you might be better looking for some sort of pantogragh.

 

[vince01]

need to change my specs lol, pantograph.

 

[rtbcomp]

Engraving might be the way to go.

 

[optima21]

or you could use ferric chloride and letraset dry rub transfer letters.

if you use the letters on copper,
then paint over the letter/copper,
remove the letters so the copper is exposed where the letters were (but everywhere else is now masked),
leave in ferric chloride for a while (the longer you leave it the deeper the letters will be).

polish your new label

or a slightly more hi-tech version

http://www.modeng.johnbaguley.info/DIY Nameplates/nameplates1.htm

 

[Wallace]

I have a CNC engraving machine with a number of fonts available, do you have the copper? Not tried engraving copper as yet.

 

[jerrytug]

I never thought of engraving, thanks, food for thought!

 

[Wallace]

I was thinking about this today, by 'classical font' do you have an example?

 

[awemawson]

It is extraordinarily hard to get letter punches to line up and make decent looking labels unless you are doing it every day and have a special jig. At 1/2" tall I'd certainly drop the idea of punching them and as said, either etch or engrave them.

For onesy twoseys there are people on ebay offering the service at very low prices !