Followup on laser engraver

[sbwertz]

We have been using the Chinese 1 watt laser engraver at the Center for the Blind (and I've been using it at home) for about six months now. It has worked flawlessly for us. I have burned countless pens, and have made little wooden hang tags for the peppermills and other items we sell. It has more than paid for itself already. (I've actually kept the same purse pen for six months now! Usually someone manages to talk me out of it before now, but with my initials on it, I can't let them buy it right out of my hand anymore!)

I bought some 1" wooden discs to use for smaller tags (with the kind of wood burned on to them) and used one of them to inlay into the top of a gearshift shaped wine bottle stopper. I burned a five speed shift pattern into it. Used a 1" forstner bit to cut a depression on the top of the stopper and glued the disk in. Cool.

I run it off an old Dell XP laptop. I have a small cardboard box that holds the engraver, mouse pad, power cord, etc, and the laptop stands next to it...takes about two minutes to set up or pack back up. I can hang it on my shoulder and carry it back and forth to the center easily. I bought a small fan that stays on my desk at the center (already have one at home) to blow the smoke away when burning.

All in all, couldn't be happier with the purchase. (Do wish I could burn acrylic and corian though.)

 

[kentonjm]

Great idea I had been thinking about how to personalize stoppers with the laser. Do you sand it in to match after glueing? Could you post a picture.

BTW Sharon I just realized when I saw this post that it was you I was communicating with on the local Phoenix Freecycle about that mulberry. Shame it all went as I was hoping to cull some stopper blanks. Never mind, there may be a next time.

Jon

I bought some 1" wooden discs to use for smaller tags (with the kind of wood burned on to them) and used one of them to inlay into the top of a gearshift shaped wine bottle stopper. I burned a five speed shift pattern into it. Used a 1" forstner bit to cut a depression on the top of the stopper and glued the disk in. Cool.

 

[mecompco]

Sharon, that's great! Thanks for the update. I'm glad your laser is holding up better than a couple of ours have. I think I've pretty much paid for mine with sales now. I bought a bunch of PSI's pre-drilled Bamboo blanks and have been making Comfort size pens with various sayings imprinted (local school name and mascot are good sellers). Using friction polish over the engraving, these are very quick to make. Oh, and people seen to like engraved wooden pen boxes--I've had people just buy the box for a pen they already have.

Regards,
Michael

 

[sbwertz]

Which boxes are you using?

I haven't got a picture of the gearshift stoppers right now....they disappear as soon as they are made. My blind students like to make that shape...it is easy for them, and they like having the shift pattern on the top. I've burned up a bunch of the disks, so I just slap a jacob's chuck with a 1" forstner bit in the tailstock when they are finished turning and sanding it, and drill it out for the disk. Then they finish it with Mylands. It's all done on the PSI stopper mandrel. I use the Niles stoppers with the stand on the bottom, so they can be displayed when not in use.

I'll be sure to snap a picture of the next one we make before it gets away.

 

[TattooedTurner]

Wow! I do believe I've talked to you in person before at a certain woodworking store I buy my supplies at. You were telling me about your blind students turning pens. I was amazed! Small world, or in this case, city.

 

[BRobbins629]

Don't give up on plastics. Did you try to color black with magic marker before engraving? Roughing up the surface? Multiple passes? Maybe some plastics are better than others, but a few experiments and you might change your mind. Not saying it will easily work for all but will definitely for some.