Engraving

[Seastar]

I build guns as a hobby.
One of my problems is marking the receivers with some sort of identification.
(I know it's not reguired by the BATF but I like to anyway)
So far I have used metal stamps with not very good results.
I would like to have an engraving method that does not cost an arm and leg that would do a decent job.
Any suggestions on something to buy or to cobble up?
Bill

[Galaxie]

Maybe a homemade pantograph would work for you.
Check out Joe Pieczynski's version that attaches to a vertical mill:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtX0FM3txCo

[RWO]

Electro-etching can put anything you can conceive of on metal. http://www.etch-o-matic.com/index.php Works very well on steel. I have not tried it on aluminum.


RWO

[BCRider]

The cheapest and easiest way would be to find a local shop that does the sort of engraving you want. There's more out there than just the "scratch letter" things that do trophy plaques. The rest are all going to cost you a lot more in time or money or both time and money.