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Old 9th Mar 2023, 9:53 pm   #1
DMcMahon
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Default Filling Engraved/Stamped Lettering on Metal Panels

Been trying to find an easy way to fill/refill engraved/stamped lettering on metal panels on equipment.

Have tried various things such as paint, marker pens, children wax crayons etc but have never got good results.

I remember when I was an apprentice (a very long ago) I used various coloured wax sticks that when heated up with a hot air gun, rubbed in and filled very easily, followed by a wipe over with Trichloroethylene (I know that would not be used today) to clean up the surface residue.

What do other people use/recommend please ?

David
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Old 9th Mar 2023, 11:12 pm   #2
lesmw0sec
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Default Re: Filling Engraved/Stamped Lettering on Metal Panels

You might try http://www.pantograph.co.uk/index.htm for engraving supplies. I have bought engraving wax from them, both of the soft rub-in type and the hard melt-in variety.
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Old 9th Mar 2023, 11:37 pm   #3
pmmunro
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Default Re: Filling Engraved/Stamped Lettering on Metal Panels

Most f my experience of filling engravings is on Avometer panels. For these I have found the AVO "official" method works well.

The markings are first filled with car touch-up paint - it doesn't have to be very neat at this stage. When dry, e.g. overnight, the excess is fairly easily cleaned off with a cloth moistened in methylated spirit leaving the markings crisp and neat.

PMM
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Old 10th Mar 2023, 5:57 am   #4
trevatxtal
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Default Re: Filling Engraved/Stamped Lettering on Metal Panels

China Graph Pencils was the standard.
Used by Transformer Manufactures, and the Forces, my direct knowledge .
Many other could well use same.
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Old 10th Mar 2023, 9:44 am   #5
Mike Phelan
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Default Re: Filling Engraved/Stamped Lettering on Metal Panels

On engraved dial plates on clocks I use wax crayons with the metal heated.
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Old 10th Mar 2023, 4:12 pm   #6
Silicon
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Default Re: Filling Engraved/Stamped Lettering on Metal Panels

David, what type of metal surface are you working with?

Some options may work OK on engraved anodised aluminium but may not be as successful on wrinkle finishes.
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Old 10th Mar 2023, 6:05 pm   #7
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Default Re: Filling Engraved/Stamped Lettering on Metal Panels

When I did an AR88 some years back, I had the panel enamelled black, then used thinned-down Tipp-Ex to fill the engraving.

Let it dry then use Tipp-Ex thinners to clean away the overspread; again, let it dry then spray over the lot with a suitably compatible-with-the-original-enamel clearcoat.
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Old 10th Mar 2023, 6:52 pm   #8
Craig Sawyers
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Default Re: Filling Engraved/Stamped Lettering on Metal Panels

I did my first AVO8II that way. But that was back in the day you could get solvent based tippex and tippex thinners.

The most recent stuff seems to be water based.

BYW I've just been refilling the lines on AVO skirted knobs. Scrape out the remains of the black paint. Fill generously with a Sharpie. Then wipe off the excess with kitchen towel slightly damp with IPA. Works a treat.

Craig
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Old 10th Mar 2023, 11:48 pm   #9
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Default Re: Filling Engraved/Stamped Lettering on Metal Panels

Quote:
Originally Posted by Silicon View Post
David, what type of metal surface are you working with?
Mainly smooth surfaces on tape recorder panels, also on control knobs like attached example.

David
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Old 12th Mar 2023, 9:33 am   #10
Electronpusher0
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Default Re: Filling Engraved/Stamped Lettering on Metal Panels

I use Sharpie "peel off china marker" pencilstype 0260 (164T)

These work really well. I have used them to restore the lettering on AVOs and the engraved lettering on the metal front panel of an Atkins valve tester.

Edit
Looking back over my notes I actually use the Sharpie for AVO meters and the 2 panel tester but for the Atkins I used Humbrol enamel to fil the engraving. This had very deep, sharp engraving.
I wiped off the excess with solvent.

Peter
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Old 12th Mar 2023, 11:23 am   #11
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Default Re: Filling Engraved/Stamped Lettering on Metal Panels

Quote:
Originally Posted by Electronpusher0 View Post
I use Sharpie "peel off china marker" pencilstype 0260 (164T)

These work really well. I have used them to restore the lettering on AVOs and the engraved lettering on the metal front panel of an Atkins valve tester.

Edit
Looking back over my notes I actually use the Sharpie for AVO meters and the 2 panel tester but for the Atkins I used Humbrol enamel to fil the engraving. This had very deep, sharp engraving.
I wiped off the excess with solvent.

Peter
Very nice.

Lawrence.
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Old 12th Mar 2023, 9:33 pm   #12
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Default Re: Filling Engraved/Stamped Lettering on Metal Panels

With the shared experience of others here, I am now in a position to tackle the aesthetics of this old signal generator. An AVO Type 1.
I had some correction fluid and a tin of Duraglit to hand.
It is work in progress, but so far so good.
The photos show the lettering of "Signal" successfully restored. Also I have filled "Arrow" with correction fluid before removing excess with Duraglit.
I will restore the five knobs as well.

Paul.
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Old 12th Mar 2023, 11:19 pm   #13
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Default Re: Filling Engraved/Stamped Lettering on Metal Panels

Further to my previous reply. This is on Bakelite parts, but I see no reason why it shouldn't be successful on metal.

Paul.
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Old 13th Mar 2023, 9:54 am   #14
terry123
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Default Re: Filling Engraved/Stamped Lettering on Metal Panels

I use Lacquer-Stik (trade name) there is a seller on ebay offering a number of colours at the moment - easy to apply/ use. Warming it can help.

I first came a cross this in an instrumentation/manufacturing enviroment in the early 1980s, and have been using myself ever since for infilling all manner of engraved panels and knobs .

The lacquer stik would work very well on the grundig knob David has shown and you can get it in gold as well.


regards, terry
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Old 14th Mar 2023, 3:36 pm   #15
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Default Re: Filling Engraved/Stamped Lettering on Metal Panels

My first effort with this, correction fluid used to fill in the engraved knobs and front.

Paul
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Old 14th Mar 2023, 9:23 pm   #16
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Default Re: Filling Engraved/Stamped Lettering on Metal Panels

I spent many happy years on the pantograph engraver at work, everyone else left me well alone in case they made me mess up! After engraving, the panel was heated and the wax was melted in. Once cool, turps was applied to a layer of "blue roll" paper towel wrapped around an eraser to prevent the soaked towel from dipping too far into the engraving. Finally, the panel was gently heated again to get a gloss finish to the wax. Easy when you've done it a thousand times .
Neil
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Old 14th Mar 2023, 9:30 pm   #17
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Default Re: Filling Engraved/Stamped Lettering on Metal Panels

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Originally Posted by newlite4 View Post
I spent many happy years on the pantograph engraver at work, everyone else left me well alone in case they made me mess up! After engraving, the panel was heated and the wax was melted in. Once cool, turps was applied to a layer of "blue roll" paper towel wrapped around an eraser to prevent the soaked towel from dipping too far into the engraving. Finally, the panel was gently heated again to get a gloss finish to the wax. Easy when you've done it a thousand times .
Neil
Was it a Taylor-Hobson? Wonderful machines, but you need to spend time ensuring all is set before commencing. Some time back, I was engraving a panel which was a blighter to cut out and shape. One of the arms was not sufficiently tightened and I wondered why there was a strange slope on the lettering - start again from scratch...
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Old 15th Mar 2023, 6:12 pm   #18
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Default Re: Filling Engraved/Stamped Lettering on Metal Panels

Yes, it was a Taylor Hobson. We had two of them and I was the only user. You had to ensure that the pantograph arms were securely tightened or you would be half way through a panel after three hours work and the cutter would slide across the work .
Neil
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Old 15th Mar 2023, 11:45 pm   #19
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Default Re: Filling Engraved/Stamped Lettering on Metal Panels

Many thanks to everybody for your suggestions and ideas.

I have ordered some Lacquer-Stik paintsticks and tomorrow will try and order some Pantograph soft wax sticks (need to telephone as does not appear to be possible to order online) and see how I get on with them.

David
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