Etching/Engraving Rocks

[Buzzzz4]

Hi have a small school who is wondering about etching or engraving some rocks. Does anyone have any ideas how to go about this or what tools would work for this? It is just to be 3 letters on the rocks, nothing fancy. Would a Dremel be able to handle something like that? Thanks for any input.

 

[rtrimyer]

you can etch stone with a sand blaster, if you use a small sand blaster with a mylar template the template can be reused. You can look at www.blazinglaserart.com for more information.

Trimyer

 

[DozerMite]

It depends on what type of stone.

A Dremel may work, but a die grinder would be better. You will need carbide or diamond cutters and it will probably be some work to control the tool.

 

[rkimery]

How about Granite

How about Granite, like a countertop, do it the same way?

How about acid etching?My kids did that in school as a science project...On mirrors, not rocks though.

 

[DozerMite]

How about Granite, like a countertop, do it the same way?

Yep. However, to make a granite countertop, they use LARGE cnc machines and it is flooded with water and coolant.
There is some hand work and it is wet and messy.

 

[Sylvanite]

Some rock, such as marble, can be laser engraved.

Regards,
Eric

 

[PenMan1]

Depending on the stone, a diamond Dremel engraving bit can be used to engrave some stones.

 

[Buzzzz4]

Thanks for the suggestions. I see there is a dremel kit that may work. It has a carbide and diamond bit set.

 

[workinforwood]

If the rock is small enough, submerge it in a bowl of water and wrap the dremel in a plastic bag with some elastics.

I had a large piece of rough granite engraved several years ago, I took it to the tombstone place and the did it with a sandblaster and it looked awesome.