As we recently built a new frame for the trailer if of course does not have a VIN number on it. A professional looking VIN number done with metal stamps needs to have all the numbers line up and spaced at the same distance apart. That is best done with a jig. But for a one time task I did not want to spend money buying a jig so I made out of of pieces of wood from the scrap bin. I borrowed a 3/8" width set of metal numerical number stamps from my friend. He gets possession of the jig when I am done with it.
Materials came from the scrap bin, a length of 2x4 and a length of 1x2. I already own the clamps. Cost for the jig $0.00. labor time to make it was minimal.
Step one cut the lumber to size, the dimension is not critical, it just needs to be long enough to easily clamp together and to the trailer frame and of course long enough for the length of the VIN number. So I did not measure anything, but I did make sure the cut ends of the 1x2 were square, that is important.
The spacing apart of the positions of the stamps is another item that requires no measuring. Secure one of the pieces of 1x2 against the 2x4, set a stamp against it, mark the edge with a pencil. Leave that stamp there, set another stamp against it, mark that edge with the pencil, repeat until you have a sufficient number of spaces for you VIN number sequence.
The other piece of 1x2 gets a notch cut in it that matches the width of the shaft of the metal stamp. I cut my notch with a hand saw but a router or table saw will also work for milling the notch. That notch is the key to hold the stamp perfectly vertical so it does not shift when you strike it with your ball peen hammer. Then increment the fences to the next pencil mark position to apply the next number in the sequence and tighten the clamps. The 2x4 remains securely clamped in an appropriate place on the frame for the location of the VIN while the numbers are being struck into the frame.
As long as you can cut square and make a nicely squared notch of the perfect size to match your stamp set you too can apply a professional looking VIN onto your trailer frame. Harbor Freight sells the steel stamp sets as well as hefty ball peen hammers. But they don't sell spacing jigs
Materials came from the scrap bin, a length of 2x4 and a length of 1x2. I already own the clamps. Cost for the jig $0.00. labor time to make it was minimal.
Step one cut the lumber to size, the dimension is not critical, it just needs to be long enough to easily clamp together and to the trailer frame and of course long enough for the length of the VIN number. So I did not measure anything, but I did make sure the cut ends of the 1x2 were square, that is important.
The spacing apart of the positions of the stamps is another item that requires no measuring. Secure one of the pieces of 1x2 against the 2x4, set a stamp against it, mark the edge with a pencil. Leave that stamp there, set another stamp against it, mark that edge with the pencil, repeat until you have a sufficient number of spaces for you VIN number sequence.
The other piece of 1x2 gets a notch cut in it that matches the width of the shaft of the metal stamp. I cut my notch with a hand saw but a router or table saw will also work for milling the notch. That notch is the key to hold the stamp perfectly vertical so it does not shift when you strike it with your ball peen hammer. Then increment the fences to the next pencil mark position to apply the next number in the sequence and tighten the clamps. The 2x4 remains securely clamped in an appropriate place on the frame for the location of the VIN while the numbers are being struck into the frame.
As long as you can cut square and make a nicely squared notch of the perfect size to match your stamp set you too can apply a professional looking VIN onto your trailer frame. Harbor Freight sells the steel stamp sets as well as hefty ball peen hammers. But they don't sell spacing jigs