gcap74
Member
Hi all,
I am making some pens using the Desire kit from Mckenzie Penworks using deck wood from the USS Alabama. These are for my best friend and her children. Her grandfather was a Radioman on the USS Alabama and she has a tattoo of his initials in Morse code.
I want to replicate those initials in Morse code on the pen... But it's something I've never done before. My laser engraver doesn't do well with non-flat surfaces but I assume that the thin profile of the Morse code engraving will render that moot (I plan on testing with some similarly sized dowels...)
My question is about when to do the engraving... Specifically should I do it before or after finishing. I plan on using Pens Plus for the finish. I don't want to get into a debate about finishes. I have had good luck with Pens Plus, I am TERRIBLE at applying CA finish and I like the softer finish that the Pens Plus gives in the long term, especially when the wood itself is meaningful.
I am trying to decide if I should engrave before or after finishing... In a perfect world I would like to do the engraving after the finish because it would give a tactile feeling to the Morse code, but I am worried that using the laser engraver after applying the Pens Plus will do damage to the finish...
Any thoughts?
I am making some pens using the Desire kit from Mckenzie Penworks using deck wood from the USS Alabama. These are for my best friend and her children. Her grandfather was a Radioman on the USS Alabama and she has a tattoo of his initials in Morse code.
I want to replicate those initials in Morse code on the pen... But it's something I've never done before. My laser engraver doesn't do well with non-flat surfaces but I assume that the thin profile of the Morse code engraving will render that moot (I plan on testing with some similarly sized dowels...)
My question is about when to do the engraving... Specifically should I do it before or after finishing. I plan on using Pens Plus for the finish. I don't want to get into a debate about finishes. I have had good luck with Pens Plus, I am TERRIBLE at applying CA finish and I like the softer finish that the Pens Plus gives in the long term, especially when the wood itself is meaningful.
I am trying to decide if I should engrave before or after finishing... In a perfect world I would like to do the engraving after the finish because it would give a tactile feeling to the Morse code, but I am worried that using the laser engraver after applying the Pens Plus will do damage to the finish...
Any thoughts?