About me
Some years ago I learned about the machining technology program at the local community college, A-B Tech. I was so fascinated that I signed up for courses in CAD programming. As a student, I had access to a CNC milling machine, which among other things, I used to cut some pieces of Bakelite for my wife's jewelry (sharonbailey.com).
Later, after I purchased a machine of my own, I did more work for Sharon, and took on other interesting projects. These included making a brass presidential medallion for the president of A-B Tech and producing a 3D topographic map, including buildings and roads, of the A-B Tech campus. Recently, I've been exploring topography as art (brettsalter.com).
I began making clay stamps when a local potter, Charlie Brown of Brown's Pottery, needed a custom stamp. After perfecting the techniques, I decided to make custom stamps available to potters everywhere. I strive to keep my stamps high quality and affordable.
Some years ago I learned about the machining technology program at the local community college, A-B Tech. I was so fascinated that I signed up for courses in CAD programming. As a student, I had access to a CNC milling machine, which among other things, I used to cut some pieces of Bakelite for my wife's jewelry (sharonbailey.com).
Later, after I purchased a machine of my own, I did more work for Sharon, and took on other interesting projects. These included making a brass presidential medallion for the president of A-B Tech and producing a 3D topographic map, including buildings and roads, of the A-B Tech campus. Recently, I've been exploring topography as art (brettsalter.com).
I began making clay stamps when a local potter, Charlie Brown of Brown's Pottery, needed a custom stamp. After perfecting the techniques, I decided to make custom stamps available to potters everywhere. I strive to keep my stamps high quality and affordable.
About
About the process
When we receive your artwork, we scan it into the computer if it is on paper. Then we use software to read the artwork and perform minor clean up as needed. We export it to our CAD (computer aided design) software, where we resize the artwork as needed, turn it into a 3D object, and create a full scale PDF for you to proof.
After you approve the proof, we mirror your design so that the final stamp will read correctly. The we enter the information needed to tell our computer-controlled (CNC) milling/engraving machine how to engrave your stamp. We set up the machine, send the cutting instructions to it, and the machine cuts your stamp from 0.5" (12 mm) thick acetal bar stock. It usually uses two tools for cutting -- a 1/8" flat tool to clear larger areas and an engraving tool to cut the fine detail. The tapered engraving tool (shown in the photo) has a tip that is 0.004" (0.1 mm) across -- that's about the thickness of a sheet of paper.
After the machine finishes, we trim your stamp, finish the edges, and add the handle. Then we inspect and test your stamp.
When we receive your artwork, we scan it into the computer if it is on paper. Then we use software to read the artwork and perform minor clean up as needed. We export it to our CAD (computer aided design) software, where we resize the artwork as needed, turn it into a 3D object, and create a full scale PDF for you to proof.
After you approve the proof, we mirror your design so that the final stamp will read correctly. The we enter the information needed to tell our computer-controlled (CNC) milling/engraving machine how to engrave your stamp. We set up the machine, send the cutting instructions to it, and the machine cuts your stamp from 0.5" (12 mm) thick acetal bar stock. It usually uses two tools for cutting -- a 1/8" flat tool to clear larger areas and an engraving tool to cut the fine detail. The tapered engraving tool (shown in the photo) has a tip that is 0.004" (0.1 mm) across -- that's about the thickness of a sheet of paper.
After the machine finishes, we trim your stamp, finish the edges, and add the handle. Then we inspect and test your stamp.
The engraving tip shown here has a 30 degree taper and a tip that is 0.004" (1/10 mm) across, providing very fine detail.