How do you use a pipe stamp?

Briarfox · Post by **Briarfox** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 3:55 pm

I just got my Steel pipe stamp and I am wondering what method works best for applying it. Do you use a mallet or just push into the briar by hand? I've been playing around with it and I am unsure how to stamp on the side of a shank. Do you just roll the steel stamp?

Thanks,
Chris

bscofield · Post by **bscofield** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 3:59 pm

You just have to find a way that seems comfortable to you. People roll them, which can be difficult, imo. I try to find a flat spot for the stamp. I have an old rubbery mouse pad out in the shop that serves 1001 purposes. I set the shank or pipe onto that so that I can safely put a lot of pressure on the stamp and then press down- hard. Personally I don't think there is much advice to give other than practice.

Briarfox · Post by **Briarfox** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 5:00 pm

Thanks Scott, Then practice I will!

bscofield · Post by **bscofield** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 7:02 pm

Briarfox wrote:Thanks Scott, Then practice I will!

You're welcome, Xavier!

RadDavis · Post by **RadDavis** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 7:42 pm

If you got your stamp from A&M, they're very sharp, and they don't require all that much pressure.

I hold the pipe in one hand and stamp with the other.

Rad

jeff · Post by **jeff** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 4:48 am

It's also helpful to make your own handle to more evenly distribute the pressure over your palm. The one's Paul includes with the stamp are unusable.

baweaverpipes · Post by **baweaverpipes** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 7:36 am

I use an A&M stamp and, as Rad mentioned, they are sharp. Just to make it a bit easier, I heat my stamp and this makes the impression easier and a bit deeper.

alan · Post by **alan** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 9:40 am

Could one of you please post the link for A&M. I tried searching but there's thousands of results. How much did you guys pay for your stamps?

Thanks!

Post by **KurtHuhn** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 10:30 am

He's on this page in the Pipedia:
http://www.pipedia.org/index.php?title=Pipe_Making

Scroll down or search for "steel stamps". Paul doesn't have a true website IIRC.

Briarfox · Post by **Briarfox** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 5:56 pm

Sorry Ben! I've always read your screen name as Scott Field.... not Scofield!

Well I stamped 4 pipes last night. One came out good. I'm pressing with all my might and it's not going in very deep.... Guess it just takes practice. Think I'll try the heating idea.

sethile · Post by **sethile** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 6:35 pm

I've had better success with chucking the stamp into my drill press, and then pressing the pipe up into it. I have a bit more control that way, but still find stamping a bit nerve wracking.

sethile · Post by **sethile** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 6:39 pm

alan wrote:Could one of you please post the link for A&M. I tried searching but there's thousands of results. How much did you guys pay for your stamps?

Kurt's right, Paul has no website, but here's his contact info:

A & M Steel Stamps (custom stamp maker used by many US pipemakers): 55 Windsor Ave, Mineola, N.Y. 11501; Phone: 516-741-6223;
E-mail: amsteelstamps@yahoo.com

ToddJohnson · Post by **ToddJohnson** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 7:34 pm

sethile wrote:
alan wrote:Could one of you please post the link for A&M. I tried searching but there's thousands of results. How much did you guys pay for your stamps?
Kurt's right, Paul has no website, but here's his contact info:

A & M Steel Stamps (custom stamp maker used by many US pipemakers): 55 Windsor Ave, Mineola, N.Y. 11501; Phone: 516-741-6223;
E-mail: amsteelstamps@yahoo.com

Worth noting is the fact that Paul has the best accent in the history of human speech!

Todd

FredS · Post by **FredS** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 12:03 am

I've seen a few guys use a press (sort of like Scott's drill press method). Here's how my favorite Italian pipemaker, Claudio Cavicchi does it

wdteipen · Post by **wdteipen** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 5:45 am

I'm currently using metal single character stamps for identification purposes only. It's quite crude but serves the purpose until I can decide on a real stamp. I press them by hand and find it a fairly simple affair. Perhaps it's more difficult with a multi-character stamp since the pressure distribution less focused.

Briarfox · Post by **Briarfox** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 2:19 pm

Thanks guys. I'm just having a hard time getting all the characters in the stamp to come out evenly. Seems I need to roll it on a shank because of the curve. I'll try a press and see how it works.

bluesmk · Post by **bluesmk** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 2:52 pm

Hi Gentlemen,
I still find stamping nerve wracking after nearly 10 yrs, and I use Paul's stamps. I use the drill press whenever I can, and I've made a manner of jigs to cradle the pipe. There are times I use them with the handles he provides and I absolutely hate it. I get the sweats, head ache.....
Jeff could you post a pic of the handles you have made for yourself?
I think if I saw something I could come up with my own.
Kind Regards
Dan
Gabrieli Pipes

Briarfox · Post by **Briarfox** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 3:52 pm

Well at least I'm not the only one going nuts. I just found an allen wrench with a t handle. I pulled the T handle off and it fits the stamp nicely. It's a bit better but I still can't get an even stamp. Time to play with the drill press.

jeff · Post by **jeff** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 8:41 pm

Dan,

I'll see if i can get a photo for you. All I did was get a cheap piece of 1x1 pine and turn it into a doorknob-like shape with a larger radius on the palm rest. It's a fast job, so don't sweat it too much.

Jeff

bluesmk · Post by **bluesmk** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 10:42 pm

Ah! doorknob shape! Thanks Jeff! like to see it but thanks.
Dan
Gabrieli Pipes