Enclosure labeling/finishing anyone use letter punches like this?

[Luke51411]

I'm thinking about getting a set of these for labeling. In interested in opinions, if anyone uses something similar. Will 1/4" be big enough? I've seen some 3/8" sets but they cost 3 times as much.
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=171493822180

[jimilee]

I think rej went through a phase briefly where he used them


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[culturejam]

Those are, from my experience, super-hard to use. Well, they are ease to use. They are hard to use in a way that makes for a nice-looking enclosure. 

[Luke51411]

Those are, from my experience, super-hard to use. Well, they are ease to use. They are hard to use in a way that makes for a nice-looking enclosure. 

Hmm ok. What is the issue? They don't play well with hammonds? I've also thought about making faceplates with them?

[Dminner]

I have a set and have tried to use them to label knobs....I can't say they really look good. I have 1/4" ones like the link. The pics of them are deceptive. The actual sharp part is very small so the letters are very thin...

[Luke51411]

Yeah 1/4 inch is kinda small. I'm glad I asked, thanks.

[culturejam]

There are two issues with these punches:

1) It's hard to keep the letters straight relative to each other.

2) The amount of force it takes to make a decent imprint is also enough to deform the enclosure. So it ends up all dented looking by the time you're done.

[davent]

There are two issues with these punches:

1) It's hard to keep the letters straight relative to each other.

2) The amount of force it takes to make a decent imprint is also enough to deform the enclosure. So it ends up all dented looking by the time you're done.

Yes, you really have to bash them to get then to show on a Hammond box, if symmetry and neatness are the order of the day forget it, but if that's the effect you're after go for it.

I've a set that i've used to stamp with paint.

That said Liquitone at diystompboxes uses them and produces really good looking pedals, he's used them directly and to make face plates.

example here; http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=36392.msg974385#msg974385

[alanp]

I strongly suspect you'd need a small block inside the enclosure (holding it up, slightly) under the surface you're pounding.

[culturejam]

I strongly suspect you'd need a small block inside the enclosure (holding it up, slightly) under the surface you're pounding.

Yep. That's how Farndurk used to do it. He made some kind of hardened steel block for each enclosure size.

[marmora]

Yes to everything everyone else said. I have a set I got really cheap and I got what I paid for. Really hard to keep straight, hard to feel confident about direction of letter, and most of all, even with a decent amount of force it was hard to indent the enclosure.
Have to admit that those who get it to work do make it look very cool.

[muddyfox]

anyone knows how Fairfield does it?

[Tremster]

Fairfield does it right.

You have to absolutely make sure that you put something inside the enclosure, a block of wood or an anvil or something, and that the two won't move at all, no matter how hard you hammer, otherwise the letters won't punch deep enough and you'll dent and deform the enclosure.
Like my Egghead 

[gordo]

All of the above. A bit of something real solid helps avoid deforming the box. When I used them it ended up looking more like a ransom note....