Seriel Number stamping or engraving

[JeffreyCNY]

I need to stamp or engrave serial numbers on a serial plate I plan to order. Does anyone have any experience with this? Which works best?

$10 single number set?
$150 set with 8 place holder?
Rotary Stamp?
Pantograph Engraver?
Outsourcing to a local trophy or jewelry shop?
Handheld vibrating engraver?
Ordering finished from plate supplier?

I feel this is a real easy problem to solve but experience is usually the best advise. I would like to know what other people are doing. I need to do less than 10 a week so expensive machinery is probably not an option.

[DareBee]

My local trophy shop as extremely reasonable for items such as this.
If I am doing CNC milling on my parts, I will engrave the # while it is setup otherwise I prefer parts to be stamped.
Another method we use (if stamping is inappropriate) is to engrave with a Dremel using a small round burr (or diamond if the part is hardened).

[apache405]

I would stay away from the hand held engraver, unless you have a VERY steady hand.

[rando]

http://www.etch-o-matic.com
check this out....we use it all the time. don't buy the neutralizer, have found vinegar works better.

[ImanCarrot]

That looks neat! I make stainless lens hoders that have to be serial numbered- that looks a lot easier than my current method of stamping- the stainless is very hard and doesn't like being stamped. Thanks!

[rando]

Be sure to neutralize the acid. If you do not, your picture perfect number will turn to a big ugly rusty scar!

[ImanCarrot]

Cheers for the tip- I got stacks of Sodium Hydroxide and Potassium Hydroxide here (about 30 gallons)- the guys in the coating plant use it for some arcane process so they should know how to handle it.