Hi all, Quick question for folks with a Shark--How well does it do engraving metal? I know those things are not really designed for milling metal, but the website mentions being able to cut on "soft-metals." I would like to do some guilloche-style engravings on some metal blanks. (Guilloche is, essentially, the creation of optical effects by using closely spaced lines. Think of the spirograph thing you had when you were a kid.) I would need to be able to engrave very thin lines--maybe .2mm thick very closely together in a repeating pattern (maybe .2mm apart from each other). If the Shark can handle the metal, does anyone have a sense of whether it's sufficiently accurate and able to make such a fine pattern? I'm thinking these could turn into some really cool inserts for turned boxes, among other things.
One other Q: Do you think I could get by with the SD series or would this require the HD series. I wouldn't really need the extra bed capacity. But it seems like the reinforced rails and the capacity for a bigger router motor could be worthwhile.
I guess the other option would be a small benchtop CNC mill. I haven't researched it, but I suspect those would be more expensive than the Shark. And they strike me as having a steeper learning curve.
One other Q: Do you think I could get by with the SD series or would this require the HD series. I wouldn't really need the extra bed capacity. But it seems like the reinforced rails and the capacity for a bigger router motor could be worthwhile.
I guess the other option would be a small benchtop CNC mill. I haven't researched it, but I suspect those would be more expensive than the Shark. And they strike me as having a steeper learning curve.
