Do these tags have to be in metal? I used to make ID tags for my cat
by simply printing the text out on plain paper, embedding the paper in
clear resin, cutting out the tag with a band saw, and finishing the
edges. At the time I ran a shop that concentrated on transparent resin
casting, but I used normal "two-ton epoxy" for this purpose. The tags
were quite permanent, and one could make up a large number of
different ones at one time for almost nothing using this method. But,
for decent visual quality, you would need access to either a strong
vacuum pump with bell jar, or a small pressure vessel.

Method: 1. You set up a tray of polished metal or plexi. You can use
plasticine clay for the walls. 2. Spritz with some "mold release" or
whatever dry silicone spray is handy. 3. Mix up the epoxy. Vacuum the
mix if possible. 4. Spread onto the back of the paper and lay it onto
the tray without leaving bubbles. If you screw up, repeat from step 2.
No harm done, almost no money lost. 5. If this went quickly and the
pot is still fresh, pour the rest over the top of the paper. If not,
quickly mix and vacuum a new pot. Make sure the tray is level. Put it
in a pressure vessel if you have one. 6. Wait for it to cure. Add
gentle heat if you've got it.

This method will yield extremely durable labels, but I must concede
several shortcomings: 1. If you do not have an effective vacuum pump
or pressure vessel small air bubbles will form during cure. 2. If you
use standard hardware store "two ton epoxy" it will yellow over time.
If you want resin that will stay clear, research "casting resins". 3.
It is impossible to keep the paper evenly spaced between the top and
bottom layers of resin. The best plan is to make several trials and
throw away the worst results. This is a very cheap process afterall.
Hope this was useful. Contact me if you have any questions.

Robobass


"Emmo" wrote in message ...
I am marking a bunch of trees with some aluminum "dog tags" with three or
four lines of words (all the same) and a unique number.

I have been stamping these out, words and numbers with a Harbor Freight 1/4"
stamp set and a ball pein hammer. Now the problem is how to mass produce
200 of these blanks -- I can't do the verbiage all letter by letter,
(although I will still be stamping in the unique number).

How can I make a stamp with whole words or sentences? Can I use a 2-ton
arbor press and some kind of dye? I would need a plate about the size of a
business card, or maybe a little bigger. Where would I even go to find
something like this? How are dog tags done?

Can I etch or anodize the info onto surface of these tags instead of
stamping? Even engraving would be faster than the whack, whack, whack of
my hammer...

__
"All it took was all I had..."