Number stamp holder for the pillar tool.
Pillar tools (as shown here) are ideal for number and letter stamping. All that is required is an arrangement to hold the stamp perpendicular to the surface to be numbered or lettered. Of course the stamp must not be held rigidly since it has to slide in it's holder so that when the stamp is struck it can impact and indent the surface. One way to do this is to design the holder with a spring actuated pressure plate that grips the stamp. I have chosen an alternative method in which the stamp is held in place by a powerful rare earth magnet.
The holder consists of two parts both made from aluminium. The centre section, shaped like an "H" is the stamp holder itself. It is machined to accomodated my 2.5 mm number stamps, which are 6.2 mm square, and my 3 mm number stamps which are 8 mm square. To change from one size to another the H section is just turned around in the outer component.
The H section is retained in the outer component by two M4 grub screws.
The H section is machined from 1/2" x 1" aluminium. The top slot in this photo is 8 mm square and the bottom slot is 6.2 mm wide x 7 mm deep.
The outer component is slotted 1/2" (plus a little clearance) to accomodate the H section and turned externally to fit the clamp on the pillar tool. The stamps are located at the centre of the outer component.
The outer component is slotted 1/2" (plus a little clearance) to accomodate the H section and turned externally to fit the clamp on the pillar tool. The stamps are located at the centre of the outer component.
An 8 mm diameter x 5mm thick rare earth magnet is pressed into a pocket machined into the H section. This grips the stamp and holds it firmly.
The stamp holder is shown here mounted in the pillar tool ready for use. Note that the clamp on the pillar has been reversed so that the stamp can be brought down very close to the rotating table.
A fence can be mounted on the table to ensure that straight lines of number or letters are produced. Circular components can be mounted on a vertical spindle attached directly to the table, or on a horizontal spindle on an angle plate attached to the table, depending on the required orientation.
To ensure correct spacing of letters I find it useful to print the lettering, in the same font and size as the stamp, onto a paper label using Microsoft Word. The label is then stuck to the work piece to be stamped. It is then relatively easy to line up, by eye, the stamp with the letter or number on the label. The stamp will cut through the label and indent the metal beneath when struck with a hammer.
A fence can be mounted on the table to ensure that straight lines of number or letters are produced. Circular components can be mounted on a vertical spindle attached directly to the table, or on a horizontal spindle on an angle plate attached to the table, depending on the required orientation.
To ensure correct spacing of letters I find it useful to print the lettering, in the same font and size as the stamp, onto a paper label using Microsoft Word. The label is then stuck to the work piece to be stamped. It is then relatively easy to line up, by eye, the stamp with the letter or number on the label. The stamp will cut through the label and indent the metal beneath when struck with a hammer.