stiofanpadraigcrafts
Graduate Member
Hi, ive been looking at mini laser engravers online and wondering if anyone has any experience with them or any other methods of engraving onto pens or pan boxes. Any info at all welcome
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engraving pens or pen cases
- Thread starter stiofanpadraigcrafts
- Start date
TaylorsMirfield.co.uk
Registered
I plan to have a try this week so I will post the results. It will be Monday/ Tuesday.
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Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk
Penpal
Grand Master
Dan if you pm me a mate of mine bought direct a smasher straightway bought a much larger one the first one his IT mate set up out of the box works fantastic both will fulfill his needs. In the meantime I will get the info for you.
Peter.
Peter.
wm460
Grand Master
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- Mar 16, 2013
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- 23,128
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- Mark
Open up a whole new ball game for you.
Lons
Fellow
Wow just looked them up, didn't realise you could buy them for £60 odd quid!
TaylorsMirfield.co.uk
Registered
I have access to one at school.
Penpal
Grand Master
My mate sent the manufacturer a couple of pens went from trade to wholesale but yours is the best access mate.
Peter.
Interesting I would be interested on how these would work seems like a good idea but one that probably causes more questions than answers i.e would you use the laser on a square blank before turning in which case how far does the laser cut into the wood which is probably determined by the output of the laser if it is only a mm by the time you turned the blank the engraving would have been cut through and not be visible If the laser cuts too deep is there a way to control the output so that it does not penetrate too far If it only cuts into the surface you would need a laser that operates on 3 axis x,y and z to engrave a turned pen blank which would be more expensive or engrave a piece of wood and segment the blank so that the engraving was closer to the centre.
Penpal
Grand Master
They work fine need an operator to refine their skills and use them within their limits bit like speeding there are consequences.
Peter.
Peter.
Pierre
Fellow
Interesting I would be interested on how these would work seems like a good idea but one that probably causes more questions than answers i.e would you use the laser on a square blank before turning in which case how far does the laser cut into the wood which is probably determined by the output of the laser if it is only a mm by the time you turned the blank the engraving would have been cut through and not be visible If the laser cuts too deep is there a way to control the output so that it does not penetrate too far If it only cuts into the surface you would need a laser that operates on 3 axis x,y and z to engrave a turned pen blank which would be more expensive or engrave a piece of wood and segment the blank so that the engraving was closer to the centre.
They only do a surface burn, so printing on a pen barrel is a bit fraught if the focus goes out as it goes round the curve, the more expensive the printer the better focus retention on a curve and you would have to build a jig to hold the pen at the correct height. One of our local knife makers has one and his investment was in the thousands, but he engraves trophies as well as his knife blades so his is in a protective box as well to stop laser reflection hitting the eyes. Also the cheaper ones don't have the same head life which on a good one is about 250 - 300 hours then it needs a head change (ie almost the price of the machine depending on what you bought. Finally, if the surface is very reflective they don't work very well at all, mainly because to keep them within safe limits they are restricted in wattage output. They certainly won't cut through wood or metal.
PG
PG
There are clearly many alternatives, but the two machines I've seen operating, (because I've commissioned work from their owners), the first one self focuses, but retains that focal point throughout the operation, so only really any good for flat work - the second also self focuses but continues to refocus throughout the operation, so ideal for cylinders, like a pen. That machine cost £14000.
I hear that the cheap machines out of china for a few tens of quid are pretty useless for all sorts of reasons. The cost of the machine also often does not include the cost of the software apparently.
I hear that the cheap machines out of china for a few tens of quid are pretty useless for all sorts of reasons. The cost of the machine also often does not include the cost of the software apparently.
I have kept my gob shut so far cos it's all been said before many times.
You won't get any more than a scorch from a low powered laser and not even that on a shiny surface.
The 60 quid ones you're looking at are no more than recycled cd /dvd burners from confusers or at least that's where the originated.
I built one similar to this before buying my cnc machine, usless article for anything more than burning paper.
Don't waste your money init?
Keeping focus alone is not enuf, it needs to be capable of adjusting the power accordingly or turn the subject with a fourth axis to maintain depth of burn.
The term laser cutting is inaccurate, you are cutting indeed but with a burner, much like blasting through with oxy acetylene in fact cnc is often used for pin point accuracy with such.
A learning curve is required when playing with lasers first and foremost SAFETY you won't be burning much when your eyes have been scorched.
Too little power no burn, too much power, dial 999 or at the least subject in cinders or melted.
Software: There is free software available and plenty of it, I use F-Engrave and Linux cnc only because that's what I am familiar witth and need no more for engraving.
You won't get any more than a scorch from a low powered laser and not even that on a shiny surface.
The 60 quid ones you're looking at are no more than recycled cd /dvd burners from confusers or at least that's where the originated.
I built one similar to this before buying my cnc machine, usless article for anything more than burning paper.
Don't waste your money init?
Keeping focus alone is not enuf, it needs to be capable of adjusting the power accordingly or turn the subject with a fourth axis to maintain depth of burn.
The term laser cutting is inaccurate, you are cutting indeed but with a burner, much like blasting through with oxy acetylene in fact cnc is often used for pin point accuracy with such.
A learning curve is required when playing with lasers first and foremost SAFETY you won't be burning much when your eyes have been scorched.
Too little power no burn, too much power, dial 999 or at the least subject in cinders or melted.
Software: There is free software available and plenty of it, I use F-Engrave and Linux cnc only because that's what I am familiar witth and need no more for engraving.
TaylorsMirfield.co.uk
Registered
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk
TaylorsMirfield.co.uk
Registered
It's done the job the customer ask for and she's happy so I'm happy :)
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Pierre
Fellow
Please don't tell me you put a bullet pen in a PINK pocket
TaylorsMirfield.co.uk
Registered
Ha. No. I have them in the workshop to bring them home in. These will be going out in grey ;)Please don't tell me you put a bullet pen in a PINK pocket
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donwatson
Fellow
Sorry Dan, the bullet pen with LOVE engraved I find extremely distasteful 
Johnwhitlock
Apprentice Member
Watching this too, I'm very interested
I would be happy too if I was taking someone's money and running a business as you are, give the customer what they want and charge accordingly is the name of the game init?
I am pleased to say I don't running a business and don't have to listen to anybody telling me that I should do something I don't want to and there is no way on this earth I would be happy with the offering of what looks like a dirty scratching on a grubby chunk of wood, I stand by my comment of "horrible init?"