Thomas Tkach wrote:The reason I thought of this corker over a drill press is that in the videos I've seen (I can't remember which, but it was some factory like Dunhill or Peterson or something) the arm of the press wiggles back and forth as the shank is rolled to produce even stamping on the sides. I don't think a drill press should have that flexibility, but I think there's enough wiggle in the corker to do what was done in the video I saw, but enough rigidity to keep the stamp from moving from one side to the other. I have never stamped a pipe before and don't think I'll be making a pipe worth stamping any time soon, but it was a thought I had when watching the video.
I suggest the usage of either a drill press or arbor press to supply the force needed to apply the impression. For either of these (and the wine corker) you would need to devise an attachment that provides the "wiggle" you have seen in videos. If you had a single line stamp whose letters are not very tall you might get away with not needing the wiggle capability. The obvious factor in determining whether or not wiggle is needed (besides the overall height of the mark) is the diameter of the shank at the point of application. Now if you are making nothing but pokers or sitters then mark to your hearts content on the flat spot with no wiggle required.
What I have seen done is the usage of a padded V block or a set of rollers to lay the shank in and allow a bit of movement in rolling the stamp on. Things get wooly when you are dealing with bents. The factories can afford to make dedicated fixtures.
Best solution: save up your milk money and get a laser.