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Vin Number Engraving


nelmo

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I've tried stamping the VIN number but can't seem to make a decent impression (literally) on the chassis rail and I've tried engraving it myself with a Dremel, engraving bit and plastic stencil.

 

First letter looks OK but 2nd one is rubbish because the bit wandered all over the place, even within the stencil (it's a letter 'V').

 

I've tried practicing freehand on a steel off-cut and the result is pretty horrendous.

 

When engraving, should I be holding the Dremel like a normal pen (at an angle) or should the bit be vertical? Any tips/tricks to getting this right?

 

(I don't have a welder, so doing it on a separate plate and welding that on is not an option).

Edited by nelmo
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Letter stamps are best --- but require a hefty wack with your favourite hammer --- ( hefty wack is acheived by propelling the hammer towards letter punch at such force & speed that a miss WILL result in injury/blood/cursing )

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If you are going to use stamps, make sure the chassis is grounded hard, i.e jacked up on axle stands. If not, unsurprisingly, the shocks will absorb the shock and you'll end up with a bounce and blood.

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Happy to lend stamps in Kent/Surrey area, can drop off south-ish side of M25 midweek, or you can pickup from Maidstone w/end

 

As above - makes a massive difference having something solid underneath the stamped area - I've variously used an off-cut of concrete paving slab or the vice anvil.

 

I suspect if you put the VIN plate under the cutout in the side panel (is that still there) and glued everything down, no one would ever know if it was welded or not.

 

PM me if any use.

 

Thanks Richard - I have stamps and used them OK on the VIN plate, just not much good on the chassis rail.

 

Hmmm, separate plate just bonded on? Like you say, IVA man might not notice as it is under the side panel...bit risky though.

 

There is a local company who do VIN plates and may be able to do the chassis rail but the problem will be getting to them. Don't want to hire a trailer just to get the car 3 miles but if I risked driving, I would have to drive past the local police station to get there :ph34r: :wacko:

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I don't know how common they are but I have use of prior pin stamping machines. They mark a treat for vin plates and chassis rails. They are what they use on motorcycle head stocks. I'll post pictures of one later, need to go take one first.

Hand stamps are something you need the knack to use if you want a clear image. They need a sharp strike and they have to be at 90 degrees etc or the image is very poor.

 

I'm a new memeber by the way lol. I have a 1.8 Mazda zero in white. Pictures to follow in a couple of weeks, few things I want to do first.

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  • 1 month later...

Still not been able to get this done so I am considering welding on a separate plate.

 

I know nothing of welding - can I stamp into ally and then get that welded onto the steel chassis? I vaguely remember being told that ally doesn't weld well...

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  • 4 weeks later...
Guest Willsy14

Hi, recently purchased an unfinished exmo project but are struggling to find a chassis number ?. Any ideas where on the Robin Hood chassis this may be. Or did earlier models have to registered later?. Thanks , scott

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  • 8 months later...
Guest Bernie400

New to the forum, just bought a 2B recently in 75% build state. I too could not find a chassis number. Is there a form or method you could advise on how about getting this from the DVLA? Can this be done anytime or when you go through the IVA process? Any help would be appreciated/

 

 

P.S. I have seen some Robin Hoods with a vin plate with the manufacturers name on it which makes it look like the real thing. Are these still available from any source?

 

thanks

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