Stamping Serial Numbers

How the heck to you stamp serial numbers in cast bottom brackets!

It seemed it should be as simple as, put the stamp in place, and whack it with a hammer.

This approach seemed to not do much of anything, so I lined up the punch again and whacked it again... Ok, a little more of an indent, but this approach over an over eventually ended up a stamp that shifted over multiple whacks, and was still not very deep.

For the next try, I heated up the BB with a torch. While this got me a better stamp, it also deformed the BB... No, it was not glowing red when I did this.

- Do I heat or not?
- Is it my punches? They are a set from the hardware store, but not showing any deformation from my attempts so far.

It is seeming harder than it should be, and I suspect I am missing something obvious.

Thanks!

Mike

Ya just have to show the numbers and letters who's boss.

I use a brass hammer and systematically knock on the heads several times while rocking back and forth (the numbers and letters, note.)

You're not alone, I'm afraid we've all been there (at least me)

Just get some old spare bsa threaded cups to fit on the shell while you smash all your inner demons over the damn punches without even the slightest remorse of deforming the bb shell.

Michael,

Have you considered machining a nice brass plate, stamping your serial number, and then silver soldering it to the bottom bracket?

This could then be masked off for a very nice finishing touch on the bottom of the frame.

Rody