Dating

[Ed in Tampa]

I use a Sharpie permanent marker and apply a poly over it. On raw wood the ink sinks into the fibre of the wood really deep, then the poly over it locks it in. Not as "crafty" as wood burning but still very effective.

Nearly 20 years ago I built a Hope chest for my daughter and on the very bottom I wrote her a brief note of my love for her. She only recently discovered that note. Wow! I think she treasures the note even more than the Hope chest.
Ed

[john]

Years ago we were into the "antiqueing" phase, and I learned that dating added not only to the value of an item but sometimes made it easiier to believe the auctioneer when he said "old".

When I started woodworking I decided to date, sign, and number my projects using a woodburning tool. I gave that up when I became too lazy to keep track of the numbers though I have never produced more than ten of any large or quality item. It also had something to do with my lack of control of the woodburner. My father was an artist but I guess I didn't inherit those genes.

I now date only some of the better quality items such as rocking horses that I expect could be kept for many years.

By-the-way, thanks for reminding me. I forgot to date the Harvest Bin!.

John

[a1gutterman]

Another much cheaper and more personal alternative

http://www.rockler.com/search_results.cfm?filter=wood+burning

Yes, there is that, but I wood (sp) rather spend the money and go with a brand. Until then, a permanent marker will have to suffice.

[beeg]

Yes, there is that, but I wood (sp) rather spend the money and go with a brand. Until then, a permanent marker will have to suffice.

Now I wood think that a personal signature would be more personal.

[a1gutterman]

Now I wood think that a personal signature would be more personal.

Hi beeg,
You can get a brand that is a duplicate of your John Hancock.

[beeg]

Hi beeg,
You can get a brand that is a duplicate of your John Hancock.

TRUE, but anyone can burn your signature with it.

[cincinnati]

I have a branding iron that works well but had a rubber stamp made at Office Max and think I like the looks of it better. I made my name using MS Word and picked a different style font. You could also just sign your name by hand and have a stamp made from that. I got the rubber stamp that is self inking. a rubber impregnated with ink. I think it was less than $15.

[fjimp]

Many years ago I served as President of a local Fire Department. As such I was required to sign all checks written by the department. Fortunately the practice was to have a rubber stamp made of my signature. Yes this was many years prior to consuimer fraud. I recently found that rubber stamp in a box and locked it up in a safe. I like the memories but am paranoid by the thought of someone else getting their hands on it.

My wood signature iron is one purchased thru Rockler and uses block letters. I would never consider using my actual handwriting in these days of fraud. However I do like the idea of my grand children discovering my signarure on some obsure piece I made way back in '08 and pondering what sort of warped mind would build such a thing. As for signature iron storage I found a box that offers the right deminsions and allows me to store it in an obscure corner of the shop. Yes even though I live in the country we do lock the doors. Jim

[a1gutterman]

I wood (sp) risk it. I really like the signature brand. Someday.............

[reible]

Hi,

I hadn't got nearly as far in the thinking as a lot of you have. However I was thinking of some of the great stuff that comes up on the Rode Show. Most of the stuff isn't signed, some has a makers mark or some simple brand... So I think I'm going to look in to that direction first. The first thing that comes to mind is a grain of wheat pattern like I did on the saw cane. The general pattern would be there but the details become "art" and the "signature" is a makers mark. Anyone following this?

Well I'll do some more research and let you know how that is progressing... but feel free to contiune posting ideas and expanding on what you have already posted. From what it sounds like a few of you are interested in this subject.

Image of cane:
[ATTACH]1036[/ATTACH]

Ed