TorontoJoe
Administrator
Please show us a sample when you have one done.... Chicken scratch or otherwise...
What's your labeling system?
- Thread starter scott_va
- Start date
TorontoJoe
Administrator
superdave336
Well-known member
I imagine it would but probably chew up the sides after a while. The OP uses it from Harbor Freight.
https://www.harborfreight.com/cordless-micro-engraver-with-diamond-tipped-ballpoint-59340.html
scott_va
Well-known member
I just printed out the text size and font I wanted on a sheet of paper and taped the paper to the tag. Then took the microengraver and carefully “chewed” out the black-inked paper to get to the painted aluminum below it. Sort of a one time stencil. The microengraver tip is a tiny ball…slightly over 1 mm.
superdave336
Well-known member
I had thought about doing just that. How long does the batteries last in that engraver? Thanks for sharing.
scott_va
Well-known member
I was going to be smart and use clear tape over the paper stencil, then engrave thru the tape and paper to have a more permanent stencil but that didn’t work out. The microengraver takes two AAAs. I have only done about 15 tags and the batteries are down but not out, but I'm only grinding paper and aluminum.
If I was going to do more heavy duty engraving, they make a similar $10 diamond-encrusted ball tip for a dremel. My dremel just seemed like it would be a little awkward for fine work.
I used aluminum wire to attach the aluminum tags to avoid possible electrolysis (corrosion due to dissimilar metals in a wet environment) and to hopefully avoid strangling branches. One tip of the wire is bent into a tiny circle and the other end if the wire is inserted thru the circle and slightly bent. Hopefully this will release under pressure.
If I was going to do more heavy duty engraving, they make a similar $10 diamond-encrusted ball tip for a dremel. My dremel just seemed like it would be a little awkward for fine work.
I used aluminum wire to attach the aluminum tags to avoid possible electrolysis (corrosion due to dissimilar metals in a wet environment) and to hopefully avoid strangling branches. One tip of the wire is bent into a tiny circle and the other end if the wire is inserted thru the circle and slightly bent. Hopefully this will release under pressure.
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superdave336
Well-known member
I thought about using my dremel but like you said it's not the best for detailed work. I might try it first and see before buying the micro engraver. My tags and rings will be here Sunday. Hopefully I will have time to mess with them some.
Figsee
Well-known member
Make sure you get an engraver bit. It goes a long way with writing cleanly.
Figsee
Well-known member
I bought a second small dremmel specifically for making plant tags
Maybe I missed it upstream, but where did you find blank tags?
ETXfigs
Well-known member
When I made these, I was using what I had laying around on hand. Since I only got 7 tags out of that piece of stainless, It makes more sense to buy some stainless steel fender washers if I want to continue with similar tags. Also I am going to get some of these letter stamps, that I prefer over writing with a dremel. I will also use the cable keychains that @TorontoJoe posted. I'm not trying to make something that looks good, just something durable to serve a purpose. I have a friend with a business that does laser engraving. Later I may get some stainless dog tags and have him put the variety names on them.
superdave336
Well-known member
I bought a stamping set like that from Harbor Freight. That is what I started with but it is very time consuming. I find it easier to just write on the tag. I think engraving will be quicker like writing.
superdave336
Well-known member
@Figsee supplied the link on page two of this thread.
https://www.amazon.com/StayMax-Anod...7840037&sprefix=stay+max+,aps,119&sr=8-8&th=1
superdave336
Well-known member
I went this morning to Harbor Freight and bought the micro engraver in preparation for my tags tomorrow. Amazon delivered my order one day early so I went ahead and tested everything out.
The tags and stainless rings are nice! I can’t believe each tag has its own ziplock bag.
The first tag I did was with my handwriting and in honor of my grandfather. The cuttings came from my grandparents homestead. I’m going to put the variety on one side and where I got it from on the back of each tag.
I plan to try getting or doing some type of template for the others to make neater. I really like them. Thanks Fig Fanatics!
The tags and stainless rings are nice! I can’t believe each tag has its own ziplock bag.
The first tag I did was with my handwriting and in honor of my grandfather. The cuttings came from my grandparents homestead. I’m going to put the variety on one side and where I got it from on the back of each tag.
I plan to try getting or doing some type of template for the others to make neater. I really like them. Thanks Fig Fanatics!
GoodFriendMike
Moderator
Good looking tags.
TorontoJoe
Administrator
It would appear that everyone has neater handwriting than I do. Sometimes I write stuff and later I can’t ever read it. Yours look perfect
For some reason this reminds me of when my one grandfather got an engraver pen and proceeded to engrave everything within reach whether you wanted it engraved or not.