Create a Heavy Metal Shop Rubber Stamp.
Inspired by the one and only http://www.heavymetalshop.com/
Remix of https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2541027
Also good info contained in another remix: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2537926
Full instructions on the process are found here: https://learn.adafruit.com/how-to-3d-print-molds-for-custom-stamps
Watch how it is made: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3blGj4w8aF0
I completed the process of designing and generating the mold, so you only need to print the mold & handle, create the rubber stamp, and glue it all together.
However, you can create your own stamp design by following the adafruit instructions. It is a fun way to build your skills.
Print the mold and handle.
- I printed the mold vertically with the following settings and the detail was good:
0.4mm Nozzle
0.4 Extrusion Width
0.15mm Layer Height
100% infill
No Supports
4mm brim
Create the rubber stamp part.
- I used the Amazing Mold Putty recommended in the article. It was much cheaper on Amazon than at the local craft store. There is enough putty to make dozens of stamps.
- Take a small grape or marble size piece of each type of putty, smoosh and mix them together for a minute, squish it into the mold, scrape it flat, and let it cure for 15-20 minutes.
- Peel it out of the mold and trim the excess.
Glue the rubber stamp to the stamp handle.
- This part required experimentation to find what glue would actually adhere to the silicone-like rubber stamp.
- JB weld epoxy seemed to work best but was more effort.
- Super glue (cyanoacrylate glue) worked well and was easiest to use, but the strength of the bond doesn't seem as strong. I ended up using this in other stamps because it was easy and held up for my use. Make sure to keep pressure on the glued pieces for a minute and maybe lay something on it while it cures.
- Use an exacto or sand paper to score & rough up the back side of the rubber stamp before gluing.
- If needed, after the glue has cured and you did a trial stamping, trim off excess areas around the rubber stamp if they leave undesired impressions in the resulting stamped ink (like edges).