down the engraving rabbit hole...

[ricphoto]

OK...needed a small break from 3D and wood so I broke out the diamond drag bit (for the 1st time) and decided to try some engraving...

I bought the Widget Works version and it came stock with the 120* tip...90* tip is on order.

1st up was the small Dragon medallion...used what little info I could find to set the basic parameters...not totally happy with the results but not totally bummed either...

so I decided to try something a little different and grabbed a handful of 4x4 cheap $.99 mexican tiles from Lowes and prepped another pic...

The only changes I made in the settings was to switch to "outline" from "hatch" and instead of touching off with paper like the 1st one I lowered the bit onto the material and then lowered a bit more (about 1/4 the spring travel) before setting "Z" zero...also tried hot melt glue (gorilla glue sticks) on the edges as a hold-down method for the first time...worked great...

Much happier with the second try...etching is deeper and has better definition...must be ok because my wife has already claimed it ;-p

Lots of possibilities here...going to try aluminum again tomorrow...if anyone has any tips/tricks I'd appreciate any advice...Thanks

and the fun continues

;-)

[garylyb]

That's nice. I bought that bit, but haven't used it yet. I'll have to get some tiles.

I was thinking of using aluminum that has a painted enamel coating.

This stuff runs about $50 for a 4x8 sheet:

Wensco aluminum sheet

[ricphoto]

Apr 20, 2018 23:20:57 GMT -5 garylyb said:

That's nice. I bought that bit, but haven't used it yet. I'll have to get some tiles.

I was thinking of using aluminum that has a painted enamel coating.

This stuff runs about $50 for a 4x8 sheet:

Wensco aluminum sheet

Thanks for that link...I was just about to buy a small powder coating gun and give it a try myself on some aluminum "dogtags"...getting ready to make a bunch of goodies for the Kitsap Humane Society (my wife volunteers there) for them to sell in their gift store...between the tiles and the dogtags I should be busy for a few days ;-p

www.amazon.com/Aluminum-Sample-Panels-Powder-Coating/dp/B00I0AL24A/ref=sr_1_19?ie=UTF8&qid=1524252578&sr=8-19&keywords=powder+coating+paint&refinements=p_72%3A2661618011

www.amazon.com/dp/B006ZBCZNS/?coliid=I29ZCR8FAHQEXP&colid=2I16TYBF9809E&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

from what I've seen the powder coat cuts REALLY clean and holds small details...I'll probably still do that so I can feed my GAS (gear acquisition syndrome) and get another tool...

Just got word that the 90* drag tip will be here tomorrow...while the 120 is "OK" I have a feeling the 90 is what I'm going to need to get the detail I'm looking for...

having way too much fun ;-)

[garylyb]

Let us know how the powder coating works. What oven are you using?

Thanks,

Gary

[savannahdan]

Love the engravings.

[ronm]

You can get the exact same powder coating machine at Harbor Freight with a 20% off coupon for $60.00

[ricphoto]

Apr 21, 2018 9:45:30 GMT -5 ronm said:

You can get the exact same powder coating machine at Harbor Freight with a 20% off coupon for $60.00

Thanks...that'll make the experiment a little more affordable

[ricphoto]

Apr 21, 2018 0:24:12 GMT -5 garylyb said:

Let us know how the powder coating works. What oven are you using?

Thanks,

Gary

Here's the intro video I watched...I'm a long time fan of Eastwood and their products

They have a small purpose built oven seen in the video that could be a possibility down the road if this idea works out and I end up doing more of this...meantime I have a small toaster oven that should work for the 1st tests...only have to get the pieces to 400* for 20 mins to kick off the powder...

[cletus]

Ric, those are sooooo cool. You're the master in my book.

[ricphoto]

Thanks Cletus but I'm still a long ways from being "comfortably competent" never mind being a master... ;-p

[ronm]

Go to a Habitat for Humanity Restore, they have used ovens/ranges that people have donated for less than $100. The standard oven should be large enough for many projects.

[Deleted]

Apr 22, 2018 14:24:54 GMT -5 ronm said:

Go to a Habitat for Humanity Restore, they have used ovens/ranges that people have donated for less than $100. The standard oven should be large enough for many projects.

I also get discount coupons in the mail for them so you can save even more.