Making Copper Nail Brands

By Molly Winton

The majority of photos within this tutorial show a copper nail that has not yet been formed into a brand. Prior to wrapping the nichrome wire around the nail, it is recommended you form the nail head into the final shape you want. Forming your brand can be done using small files, or a dremel tool. (See examples in photo below.)

Materials needed include 20 gauge nichrome wire, and any size copper nail.

Tools needed include locking pliers, needle nosed pliers, and strong wire cutters/nippers.

Start making brand by pinching it against nail with locking pilers

Grip the nichrome wire against the nail with locking pliers approximately ¼" from the head. Leave extra wire at the other end (left) for the first leg of the brand.

Wrap wire around nail 4 to 5 times

Wrap the wire tightly around the nail at least 4-5 coils.

Make second leg of brand by bending leg downwards

Bend the top wire down to make the second leg of the brand.

Trim legs to make them even in order to fit into branding iron

Trim the legs to make them even.

Cut excess nail to create brand

Remove the nail from the wire and cut off the excess nail. Cutting off the excess allows the bulk of the heat to go to the head of the brand, rather than being pulled away by extra, unneeded metal.

Finished brand is insert into buring pen

Replace the nail head into the wire and attach it to your burning pen. (This photo shows a completed brand.) If the brand is slightly loose, don't worry. Heating the brand should expand the metal enough to hold it tightly. Use caution when first using the brand to ensure it does!

Side view of finished brand

Side view.

Examples of different brands

Here are some examples of brands. From left to right: baseball (scored curves to simulate lacings); flower (scored petals); bear claw; dot (just cut off nail head and file smooth); and arrowhead. You are only limited by your imagination.