Electric Branding Irons

IMPORTANT
For branding in countries with voltages other than 120V, 60 Hz (U.S. voltage), an appropriate voltage converter must be used without exception.
The appropriate voltage converter is determined and offered by our sales representatives.

PREPARATION
Plug voltage converter into your outlet, plug temperature control unit (TCU) into voltage converter then plug the branding iron into the TCU.
Branding in a ventilated work area is recommended.

To Prolong the Life of Your Branding Iron
Be sure your Head (or slotted head) is firmly attached to your heating tool. This will ensure good heat transfer for best branding results.
Using a temperature control unit for branding any material will prolong the life of your branding iron.

Practice Makes Perfect
It is imperative that you practice on scrap pieces of the material(s) you intend to mark before branding your actual items. This will provide you the opportunity to find just the right degree of heat for your specific application(s) and will help you become proficient.

Using your branding iron in conjunction with a
temperature control unit (TCU):

1. Branding in a ventilated work area is recommended.
2. Make sure the scrap pieces and items you intend to brand are smooth, flat and dust free. Then set them on a flat, smooth and clean heat resistant work surface.
3. Plug your temperature control unit into a 120 volt electric outlet (or into a voltage converter when required) and plug your branding iron into your temperature control unit (TCU).
4. Make sure your branding head (or slotted head) is firmly attached to your branding iron and is resting on the stand provided or on a heat resistant, safe surface that cannot catch fire.
5. For leather and plastic, turn your TCU up to 50% and for wood turn it up to 70%. Wait approximately 20 minutes to heat up your iron and head or slotted head.
6. Test by applying the heated head (or slotted head) to a scrap piece for one second or so and check out the mark. If too light, turn up the TCU knob to a higher setting and if too dark, turn knob down to a lower setting. Dwell time (i.e. the length of time you keep the head in contact with the surface of the item you’re branding) can vary, depending on the material you are branding and on temperature conditions in your work area.
7. Practicing on your scrap pieces and adjust the TCU until you find the optimal heat setting for your specific application.
8. The next time you are ready to brand additional items, if temperature conditions have changed or if your work area is drafty, you may find it necessary to slightly adjust your TCU accordingly.

Note: It takes longer for the iron, head (or slotted head) to cool off than to heat up.

Detaching and Reattaching Branding Heads to an Electric Iron

The following procedure is intended only for those who have multiple branding heads designed to fit in the Hexacon Electric Irons. Otherwise there is no need to disconnect the head from the iron.

Items needed:
A vice
A channel lock or adjustable wrench
2 rags

1. When the head and iron have cooled off, wrap the head in a rag to protect it from nicks and scratches.
2. Place the wrapped head in between a vice and tighten to the point where it is secure. Do not over tighten. Make sure the iron is upright and that the entire hexagonal barrel is above the vice jaws and accessible.
3. Wrap the second rag around the hexagonal barrel. Adjust your channel lock or adjustable wrench to fit around the hexagonal barrel and tighten.
4. Turn counter-clockwise until the iron is loose enough to turn by hand.
5. Disconnect iron from the head and remove head from vice.
6. To reattach the head to the iron, screw it in by hand clockwise as tight as possible.
7. Wrap the head and place it in a vice with iron upright as in step 2.
8. Wrap the second rag around the hexagonal barrel and adjust channel lock as in step 3.
9. Turn clockwise until secure, without using excessive force.*

*It is important that the head is securely attached to the iron. This ensures good heat transfer and prolongs the life of the iron.

D. P. Model Branding Irons – Irons for use in drill presses:

When using a D.P. model branding iron, you will need to either remove the safety switch of your drill press or unplug it.

1. Inset the shank of the D.P. iron into the chuck of your drill press and secure in place by tightening the chuck.
2. You will need to use your drill press quill only, for lowering onto and raising off the items being branded.
3. Follow all other instructions provided above for handheld irons.
4. If you would like, you can create a set-up on your drill press table. This will ensure that every item will be marked exactly in the same spot. It will also increase efficiency.
   
   
   

Fire-Heated Branding Irons

1. Before placing head over open flame, make sure rod (with handle) is tightly screwed into your branding head.
2. Be sure to use thick gloves.
3. Some practice on scrap pieces of the same material to be branded is required for increasing proficiency.
4. The length of time for holding the head over open flame can vary, depending on a few factors such as how close you hold the head over the flames, the head size, the material you intend to branded and how dark you wish the mark to be. Dwell time on the item being branded may vary from one application to the next, as the head will gradually lose heat. If branding multiple items, it may be necessary to reheat the head and results may vary, depending on the degree to which the head is reheated.
   

Electric Cattle Branding Irons

IMPORTANT
Do Not let the Branding Iron come in contact with water, mud, dirt, sand or ashes.
When heated, keep away from any flammables and materials that can catch fire.
These Branding Irons Intended for Branding Only Cattle and Horses. Do Not Use for any other branding purposes.

1. Clip any access hair off the area where the animal will be branded.
2. Use the appropriate team of people for this task.
3. After plugging in the Branding Iron, allow 90 seconds for it to reach the proper temperature.
4. Dwell time is about 10 seconds. Branding head needs to be held on the animal with moderate pressure, until the surrounding skin turns a dark copper color. Dwell time may vary, depending on weather conditions, animal breed and/or age.
   
   
   
   

Taking Care of Your Branding Heads

Branding Materials that Melt
Cleaning Brass Heads used for branding plastics, rubber, wax and other materials that melt.
During the course of branding, if you find that there’s some material build up on your head, or after you are done branding for the day, keep your head connected to the iron and rest it on its stand or on a heat resistant surface.
Turn your temperature control unit to 100%; wait a few minutes until residue burns up. Turn off your temperature control (or, should you wish to continue branding soon after you clean your head, turn down your temperature control to a low percentage) and wait unit the head cools off.
Important: It does take longer for the head to cool off than it does to heat up.
If necessary, pick up your handheld branding iron by the handle and gently run it across a sheet of 400 grit metal sandpaper.

Branding Wood & Leather
Cleaning Brass Heads used for branding leather, wood and other similar materials.
Usually branding these materials does not leave residue on the head unless the items you’re branding have already been treated. Suggestions for cleaning heads used for branding materials that melt apply to your head(s) as well.

Branding Food Items
Cleaning Stainless Steel Heads used for branding food items
During the course of branding food items, if necessary, a clean damp firm but non-abrasive pad can be used for removing food residue.
After you have finished branding for the day, you can either hand wash your head, using a firm but non-abrasive dish washing pad with warm water and soap or you can put your head on the top rack of your dishwashing machine.

Storing Your Branding Heads
When not in use, keep your branding head(s) wrapped in a soft, lint-free piece of cloth. This will help prevent your head(s) from getting nicked or scratched.
Electric irons should be unplugged until you are ready to use them again.
Remember to remove the cloth wrapped over your head before plugging in your iron and turning on your temperature control unit.