Dating

[reible]

When you make projects do you date them?

If so what sort of projects, and what sort of marking, and of course where???(hidden, brass or other engraved feature)

Now before some one comes up with the cute:
"My Wife doesn’t let me date." I've already seen that at the site I stole this question from.

I never I got in the habit of dating things but now in my older years I can see that a few things I've made would be nice to have a date on somewhere, like a walnut clock with music box that plays metal disks. It even has a spruce sound board... (and even more amazing I actually used plans AND followed them) any way my daughter wants that when I'm no longer using it. If I could trace some something on it to pin point a date it would be nice, right now the best I can do is a 6 year period.

Now I have a few wedding presents to make and thought maybe I should do something to date them, maybe even just to a year would be fine. Someone on the other site mentioned maybe a coin of the year???

Anyway I'd like to here some shopsmith site people address this.

Ed

[cincinnati]

I date everything. When you find something old the first thing you would like to know is it's age. It can only be a good thing to date. I even date everything I buy like tools.

[8iowa]

Two years ago my son-in-law attended a bowl turning class taught by the well known segmented bowl turner and author Malcom Tibbets. In the class my son-in-law mentioned that he intended to get a stamp to identify his bowls. With this comment he was mildly rebuked by Tibbets, who said "artists SIGN their work!"

[fjimp]

My bride purchased me a signature iron complete with a date function. I love it. In our house we have a few family heirlooms. None are signed or dated. It seems to me that signing and dating is a gift to future generations.

I like to watch Antiques Road Show. I am unable to count all of the times lack of a signature or date lowers the value of a beaautiful item. I vote for signing and dating. Jim

[cadman84]

Two years ago my son-in-law attended a bowl turning class taught by the well known segmented bowl turner and author Malcom Tibbets. In the class my son-in-law mentioned that he intended to get a stamp to identify his bowls. With this comment he was mildly rebuked by Tibbets, who said "artists SIGN their work!"

Is this as literal as grab a pen and sign or am I missing something?

I absolutely agree sign and date. I also do a bit of amature photography and I find it nice that I can easily see when I took the photo.
Andy

[a1gutterman]

I am all for signing and dating. Last September I asked a blacksmith about making a brand for me. I was told that a small brand is harder for them to make then a large one. I forget the exact price quoted, but it was somewhere in the $100 area. I like the idea of branding my signature in my work, but I haven't ordered one yet...........

P.S. Ed, my wife still lets me date.............as long as it's with her!

[paulmcohen]

I am all for signing and dating. Last September I asked a blacksmith about making a brand for me. I was told that a small brand is harder for them to make then a large one. I forget the exact price quoted, but it was somewhere in the $100 area. I like the idea of branding my signature in my work, but I haven't ordered one yet...........

P.S. Ed, my wife still lets me date.............as long as it's with her!

Rockler sells a custom branding iron with a date option.

http://www.rockler.com/search_results.cfm?filter=branding

[a1gutterman]

Those are great Paul. Thanks for the link. They are spendy though.

[paulmcohen]

Those are great Paul. Thanks for the link. They are spendy though.

Another much cheaper and more personal alternative

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

[Bruce]

How about printing an iron-on t-shirt transfer and using it to put whatever you want on your project? I know it wouldn't be burned in but you could always use it as a template to burn it in by hand or just apply a finish over it. It may not hold up over the years, though.