Custom branding irons clip onto lighter

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By Sean Michael Ragan
Posted 2009/11/27 @ 2:27 pm
Category 3D Printing, Art & Design, Tools

I branded myself, about 8 years ago, with a cookie cutter and a blowtorch. The first time my dad saw it, he asked if someone had held me down and mutilated me in some kind of gangland reprisal. Dad thinks my life is a lot more exciting than it actually is.

Anyhoo, Cory just boinged this link to the Shapeways blog, wherein is described a nifty little 3D-printed metal branding iron they’ve developed, which clicks onto a standard disposable butane lighter and is fully customizable with your own logo/gang sign/frat house letters. Click the iron in place, flick the Bic for 30 seconds, and you’re ready to burn some skin!

If you don’t enjoy the smell of your own curdled flesh, this could be a great tool for hallmarking those little handmade wooden widgets you sell on Etsy, or whatever.

[via Boing Boing]

In the Maker Shed

8 Responses to Custom branding irons clip onto lighter

Eugene on November 30th, 2009 at 6:12 am said:

Very cool. I branded myself a few years ago, and it was a very unusual experience.

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Maker Dino on November 30th, 2009 at 7:02 am said:

I burned myself a couple years ago, with a soldering iron and you know what? IT HURT!! It’s supposed to hurt… that’s what tells you to NOT do it.

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Dana on November 30th, 2009 at 8:34 am said:

I usually try at all costs to AVOID burning myself. It hurts like hell! You have got to be a bit twisted/unstable to do this on purpose IMHO.

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Simon on November 30th, 2009 at 9:23 am said:

“curdled flesh”? I am not sure curdled is the work you’re looking for here?

This doesn’t look as fun as when you’re MIG welding a a bit of hot slag goes down inside your shoe!

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Special Kaye on November 30th, 2009 at 9:33 am said:

Some things just shouldn’t be promoted in a magazine that is trying to appeal to a very wide demographic. This is one of those things. I think it’s totally inappropriate and definitely changed my outlook on Make.

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Anonymous on November 30th, 2009 at 9:59 am said:

Changed my outlook on this author is more like it

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Anonymous on November 30th, 2009 at 8:38 pm said:

God, you people need to relax.

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Joseph Johnston on December 4th, 2009 at 9:04 am said:

Seriously, you folks should lighten up. Branding has been around for a long time. It’s not that big of a deal. What if someone came in here and said stuff like “You really shouldn’t be taking apart electronics, that’s dangerous!” They’d be laughed off the website. While you may not agree with what other people do, you have no right to judge them. Also, how in the hell can you assume that this magazine is trying to appeal to a wide demographic? Even if they were, (which they aren’t) wouldn’t that include people who brand themselves? Saying “I’m going to support a magazine that aims at a wide demographic that only includes things I like!” is short sighted at best, and idiotic at worst.

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