How to add permanent volume markings to a kettle.

[shaunous]

After they invented the engraver, i now use it to do the exact same thing.

 

[law-of-ohms]

I has one of these at work.

http://www.tigbrush.com/

Sapose I better get off my ass and use it.

 

[shaunous]

I has one of these at work.

http://www.tigbrush.com/

Sapose I better get off my ass and use it.

Well I reckon my workshop needs one of them, better get an order number ready

 

[KevinR]

Looks awesome.

Although I`m Wondering if the cheaper style kettles would rust?...just a thought

I don't think so it looks a lot like a cheep version of what is used in industry as a post weld treatment of stainless steel welds to restore the natural surface to the to the heat affected area so it won't get rust stains. They call it TIG brushing.(not to be confused tig welding).

Kev

 

[davedoran]

This is the one we use in work http://weldbrush.com/

Works well for stainless welds but the tips are a bit big. Might be a little bit messy for this application but with a bit of care and patience im sure it would work.

 

[Edak]

Yay I now have a valid use for my laser engraver slash cutter! Cuts electrical tape perfectly with precision. Little designs easy to do.

 

[benno1973]

Just to add a counter to the corrosion argument, I found this on a tumblr blog regarding the etching:

In a thread on it on HBT, someone from one of my homebrew clubs posted the response when he asked John Palmer (who’s a metallurgist by trade) about it.
Palmer responded that it was a great idea, he was going to do it himself, and while the citric or nitric acid passivation is industry standard, Palmer said that for homebrewers, the kettle will never really see the conditions necessary for corrosion to take place, and there should be no off flavors or issues with doing it.

Still, the lemon juice trick sounds easy enough.

 

[idzy]

If someone finds some suitable stencils, please post

 

[shaunous]

Yay I now have a valid use for my laser engraver slash cutter! Cuts electrical tape perfectly with precision. Little designs easy to do.

What's a slash cutter

 

[New_guy]

If someone finds some suitable stencils, please post

I found this - letters and numbers, but ? ti big - they are 5cm tall http://www.stencilgallery.com.au/alphabets.html

 

[_HOME_BREW_WALLACE_]

If someone finds some suitable stencils, please post

eBay??

 

[OzPaleAle]

I reckon just run 2 lines of electrical tape up the side then put 2 pieces horizontally at each marking point and make every 5L mark bigger or just mark every 5L even.

 

[idzy]

Then get good at subtraction as the water rises and lowers heh

 

[shaunous]

Or just use an engraver....

 

[Ducatiboy stu]

I use the "that looks about right" method...simply because after a while there is a ring at where the correct volume is in the kettle.

 

[QldKev]

 

[sponge]

I still haven't upgraded from my piece of dowel with texta on it..

Definitely not the most sanitary option by a loooooong way, although I just take a quick reading at the start by dipping it in the kettle, take it out and see where the wort mark is on the dowel. If I need to adjust by a certain volume I'll measure that out using my measuring jug.

EDIT: I'll get around to doing something with shiny SS one day.. I might even use my SS mash paddle as a measuring stick on the handle end using this battery method. Saves me worrying about diminishing the quality of the kettle (even though that may not even be an issue)

 

[spog]

If someone finds some suitable stencils, please post

Maybe the stencils found in stationary shops,

 

[wide eyed and legless]

If so many are interested in having a measure why not a piece of stainless strip 25 mm x 1.6 mm and put the markings on that just in case the chromium / nickel balance is damaged by the process.

 

[Edak]

So I jumped right in and gave it a go. Not perfect but it turned out better than it looks in the photo. 28L mark is the shortest one, didn't give it enough time.

 

[MHB]

I would have thought corrosion wouldn't be a major issue, as the Iron would plate out faster than would either the Nickel or the Chrome so the etched surface should be more "rust proof" than the rest of the surface - trade off being that it would be rougher - meh - I think it’s not going to be a problem, but that's just an opinion based on doing a bit of electro polishing.

As for the stencils, I think the ones used for glass etching would be the best as they are already a negative image and they are made to resist acid (HF a nasty one at that), there are some on eBay but I think I recall seeing some at Spotlight in the craft section they certainly sold the glass etching paste there, you has to wonder how that would go at etching stainless, its definitely a strong enough acid, but maybe it will just fluoridise the surface and make it bullet proof

When I have done this in the past I just used a small cold chisel and a big hammer, roman numerals are your friend.
Mark on IX/III/MMXIV

 

[jaypes]

I still haven't upgraded from my piece of dowel with texta on it..

Yep, I still use my 'ol measuring spoon marked with a sharpie since day 1

 

[tateg]

So I jumped right in and gave it a go. Not perfect but it turned out better than it looks in the photo. 28L mark is the shortest one, didn't give it enough time.

hi Edak

what stencils did you use for your pot ?
I have tried a lot of places and the are either not available or they are to big.

So has anyone managed to find decent stencils for this project ?

Cheers tate

 

[Edak]

hi Edak

what stencils did you use for your pot ?
I have tried a lot of places and the are either not available or they are to big.

So has anyone managed to find decent stencils for this project ?

Cheers tate

I printed them (laser cut) from my DIY laser cutter.

Where are you located? I might be able to afford some time to print off a few over a beer or two.

 

[tateg]

I printed them (laser cut) from my DIY laser cutter.

Where are you located? I might be able to afford some time to print off a few over a beer or two.

Thanks Edak
That makes since now I have been looking for the last week for decent stick on stencils, with no luck
I am located near the melb airport
Cheers
Tate

 

[QldKev]

No stick on, but would be ok. Cheap enough to try
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Bulk-Pack-3-Mixed-Size-Stencil-Letters-Numbers-Templates-New-/121292106577?pt=AU_Toys_Hobbies_Wholesale_Toys_Hobbies&hash=item1c3d92ab51

 

[wide eyed and legless]

Brewing beer is simple, but we insist on making it complicated.

Confucius.

 

[MastersBrewery]

stencils not too exy

 

[maxim0200]

Brilliant idea!

 

[Edak]

After doing a brew, cleaned the vessel and leaving for a week and a half, the whole pot is still perfect with no evidence of corrosion or damage. I will honestly say though that having the markings made it sooooo easy for this latest brew, hitting all numbers perfectly!

I might have preferred a fancier font, but given the numbers have "holes" in them I found I was limited in my selection. Still having the ability to now etch any design into metal is awesome and I would like to thank the OP again for posting this method as I had not come across it before.

PS I measured the water vols using my grain scales (correct to 2g), too easy!