Desktop laser engraver?

C

CLFarmer

Joined
Jan 16, 2017
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Does anyone use a desktop laser engraver for their makers mark? If so, what specs are important to consider? I currently use a homemade electro chemical etch with a stencil. Any info would be appreciated.
 
Most desktop laser engravers are CO2 lasers. They won't touch steel.
You would need a fiber laser to mark knives. Chinese models can be had for about $4000 up. Prices have dropped lately.
 
I use a fiber laser at my workplace. It was about $25k if I recall - we're looking at getting another to automate tool marking; Budgeting about $60k for that one. Just a smidge out of reach for the hobbiest....
 
I've done some research on this, seem like a 20 w fiber laser will do it, but 30 w seem to be preferable.

It looks like you can get one from China for about $2500-3000 nowadays. Not sure I'd buy this kind of expensive equipment from China though.

 
You will see some cheep lasers that say thy “mark” steel. Thy are not engraving it thy use a special spray that the laser burns onto the steel, Or something like that.
 
Many of the marks on knives and tools are done with the spray JT is referring to. The laser burns/bakes the "paint" onto the surface of the steel. The remainder is wiped/washed off. It won't survive sanding or heavy abrasion, but otherwise is a fairly durable mark.
I have a laser engraver on my "big tool wish list", but it is pretty far down the list. I think it would be most useful for doing personalization marking ( names and wedding dates as well as images) and for scrimshaw layout.

Have any of you folks who use a laser at work used one on wood or ivory handles?
 
I believe Tom Krein has one - mentioned on a podcast - fibre laser -

It would be an interesting side business - engraving stuff for weddings - wine bottles, sports teams, custom corporate gifts and such
 
I used to personalize knives when the customer requested it by using laser and this spray/cream, results where nice when off the laser, but as Stacy noted, it faded over time to the point the mark was just a ghost of its original form.
I ended buying a Vinyl Cutter (Cameo 3) and do the stencils myself then etch. I'm not going back nor thinking about a 30K laser... Yes, some stencils are a PITA, but if you charge accordingly its just work...


Pablo
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
Have any of you folks who use a laser at work used one on wood or ivory handles?
Click to expand...

No, but it's on my to-do list, if I can figure out what (and why) to etch. I haven't really had a good reason to mark on wood - any ideas? Maybe burn in a makers mark or customer personalization on a saya?

Scrimshaw layout sounds pretty cool, but waaaaayyy over my head. I don't have any "scrap" ivory to practice on either... o_O:eek:
 
Sam Dean said:
Scrimshaw layout sounds pretty cool, but waaaaayyy over my head. I don't have any "scrap" ivory to practice on either
Click to expand...
You can always practice on fake ivory - that stuff is pretty good, and looks "just like" real ivory {g}
 
Sam Dean said:
No, but it's on my to-do list, if I can figure out what (and why) to etch. I haven't really had a good reason to mark on wood - any ideas? Maybe burn in a makers mark or customer personalization on a saya?

Scrimshaw layout sounds pretty cool, but waaaaayyy over my head. I don't have any "scrap" ivory to practice on either... o_O:eek:
Click to expand...
I have a friend that uses another buddy of his to cut out names and things like football teams in handles, he fills them in with colored epoxy.
 
You can practice on bone. Fake ivory is plastic and won't cut right with the laser. I have a box full of cutoffs and low grade mammoth to practice on while figuring out power and pulse rate.

Wood can be laser engraved very nicely. You can do a photo, fancy fonts, logis, etc. All you need to do is scan it in and convert it to line art.

I just realize that I have a friend who does wood art plaques and signs with a CNC laser system (Woodcraft Piranha unit, IIRC). I might call her up and either borrow her rig or go for a visit and experiment. I also know all the guys at Woodcraft, where they demo their laser engraver. I bet I could get them to play with me.
 
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