when is the best time to engrave?

[Dvoigt]

If I wanted to get a pen laser engraved when is the best time in the process to do that... Before or After the CA finish?

Are there any concerns in engraving through the finish? I know we have alot of engravers out there!

Thanks
Derek

 

[Russianwolf]

from Ken's site

5. For all small logo and single line text engraving please send your pens already finished and assembled. The laser engraving process produces a slight resinous deposit around the engraved area which is easily cleaned up with water if the pen already has a finish on it. If the pen does not have a finish on it, the resin will soak into the unfinished wood which will require re-sanding to remove.

 

[Sylvanite]

Unless you want to resand after engraving, seal and finish with CA first.

You may want to check out http://www.penturners.org/forum/showthread.php?t=51023 for more info.

Regards,
Eric

 

[mrcook4570]

Engrave after the finish is applied unless you are wanting to inlay the engraving. Then engrave before finishing the pen.

 

[george]

I prefer to do it after CA and before buffing with tripoli and WD.

 

[Dvoigt]

That settles it, thanks!

 

[Crashmph]

FYI... most laser engraving will crack a CA finish all around the engraving. For a CA finish it is best to engrave first then apply a CA finish.

 

[mrcook4570]

FYI... most laser engraving will crack a CA finish all around the engraving. For a CA finish it is best to engrave first then apply a CA finish.

I've never experienced this problem and have engraved a boat load of pens with a ca finish.

 

[Crashmph]

It does not happen all the time for me, but it does happen about 20% off the time. 20% is enough for me to CA after the engraving. As a plus for me, I like the filled in engraving better anyway. Looks more professional IMHO.

I've never experienced this problem and have engraved a boat load of pens with a ca finish.

 

[mrcook4570]

crashmph, can you post a picture of the cracking? I've never seen or heard of this and am curious.

 

[Sylvanite]

I've never seen (or even heard of) a cracking issue either. I've laser-engraved many CA finished pens (perhaps not as many as Stan, but hundreds) without any cracking. I really don't see why cracking would occur. CA is an acrylic, and a CO2 laser engraves acrylic very cleanly with good resolution.

Regards,
Eric