This guide will walk you through how to brand your woodworking projects using your custom wood branding iron.
For irons up to 5CM in size, a simple butane blow torch will work perfectly for heating the iron to temperature. For larger sizes, we recommend using a propane torch for quick heating. Alternatively, a simple gas hob will work too.
Things needed:
- Brass branding head
- Compatible M8 wooden handle — select one when ordering or use one you already own
- 13 mm spanner or wrench
- Butane or propane blowtorch, or another suitable flame source
- Spray bottle filled with water
- Scrap wood for testing the temperature and checking the impression
Start by screwing in the handle to the iron itself. Please be careful not to over-tighten.
Tighten the nut against the branding iron head. Please be careful not to over-tighten this as only a small amount of torque is required.
Spray a light misting of water on the wood that you intend to brand. This will help manage the heat coming off your iron once applied and keep the areas that are meant to be unbranded clear, allowing the details to pop!
Heat your iron evenly using a blowtorch. The brass will begin to change colour slightly as the iron heats up. Test periodically on some scrap wood to see how you are doing for temperature. Branding should take no more than 5 seconds with only light pressure on the wood.
Once you have confirmed your iron is up to temperature by testing on scrap wood, apply to your damp workpiece. Only use light pressure and try not to rock the iron too much. It’s important that the iron is hot enough (but not so hot that it cooks the wood!) to generate a good brand within 5 seconds or so, if the iron is held against the wood for longer than this, then the details may begin to merge/blur together.
Check your result - a good brand will have a consistent finish with all details showing clearly. Your work can be sanded back to improve definition if desired.
Start by screwing in the handle to the iron itself. Please be careful not to over-tighten.
Tighten the nut against the branding iron head. Please be careful not to over-tighten this as only a small amount of torque is required.
Spray a light misting of water on the wood that you intend to brand. This will help manage the heat coming off your iron once applied and keep the areas that are meant to be unbranded clear, allowing the details to pop!
Heat your iron evenly using a blowtorch. The brass will begin to change colour slightly as the iron heats up. Test periodically on some scrap wood to see how you are doing for temperature. Branding should take no more than 5 seconds with only light pressure on the wood.
Once you have confirmed your iron is up to temperature by testing on scrap wood, apply to your damp workpiece. Only use light pressure and try not to rock the iron too much. It’s important that the iron is hot enough (but not so hot that it cooks the wood!) to generate a good brand within 5 seconds or so, if the iron is held against the wood for longer than this, then the details may begin to merge/blur together.
Check your result - a good brand will have a consistent finish with all details showing clearly. Your work can be sanded back to improve definition if desired.