lazer/engraver to make stencils?

S

shaker

Joined
Apr 12, 2005
Messages
274
I am thinking of getting a laser engraver so I can make my own stencils. I know lasers can not easily mark stainless so I was wondering if anyone makes their own stencils , if so how and if you use a laser are you satisfied with the results. I want to be able to make and mark lots of things. so ordering stencils is not an option.
Thanks in advance . shaker
 
I got a CriCut Explore Air 2 last week and started to cut my own one time use stencils out of the vinyl. Works great with my 2 etching machines!

llSE5OM.jpg


What others do with the laser is paint the blade with nail polish and use the laser to remove the nail polish, leaving the bare metal and then use their etcher on that. The nail polish acts as the stencil and protects the area around the mark from getting etched.
 
Cheap fiber lasers are under $3000 now. One might be a good investment. They will engrave steel.
 
Taz said:
I got a CriCut Explore Air 2 last week and started to cut my own one time use stencils out of the vinyl. Works great with my 2 etching machines!

llSE5OM.jpg


What others do with the laser is paint the blade with nail polish and use the laser to remove the nail polish, leaving the bare metal and then use their etcher on that. The nail polish acts as the stencil and protects the area around the mark from getting etched.
Click to expand...
hmmm yes that is the kind of information i need, Thanks
 
This is how I do my logos now. I used to use stencils but got sick and tired of misaligned or shifted stencils and crappy fuzzy results.

You don't need a fiber laser. I have a cheeeeeap cnc laser off amazon. Paint some black nail polish on the blade. Laser your logo on the nail polish to burn away the logo. Wipe off with alcohol then etch. Perfect etch every time. You also get the advantage of seeing the logo placement before you etch. My laser was like $300 and that was expensive because is also a cnc router. I have never used the router. It has paid for itself multiple times over. I have also etched spines and pins. You can also do logos on wood sayas.

Here's an example of a knife with an etched pin and custom logo for the customer.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CNNNbv1D7Pb/
 
I may to look into that! I like the cricut stencil because I can adjust the size and stuff, but the laser removing the nail polish seems to be a great way to go! I think it would be better for finer print stuff, like etching the steel type. I haven't tried weeding very small letters with the cricut yet.
 
I meant with a fiber laser, he could simply engrave his blades.
 
No, those will etch on metal with a special paint that burns on the surface. It is how a lot of commercial markings are done. Problem is that it wears away pretty soon in use.
 
thanks for the replies guys I think I will be ordering a laser after Christmas> hopefully a boxing day sale? It looks like the laser will have a lot of uses. I\ll keep you all posted on what i get and if it works out for me
 
At first I read $300 for a fibre laser and wondered why people weren't jumping on that. Googled them and then returned to Bill's post before I figured out it was $3000....oh well.
 
I just ordered the atomstack x7 ,shipping time should not be too bad it's supposed to be in stock in USA . If it can just make stencils I'll be happy for that alone. Then I'll be able to make any stencil I want as soon as I want. No waiting for some one to make and ship to me. I am thinking it will be able to mark the outline of my knives and plunge lines? Maybe ? . I'll post more in a few weeks
 
That x7 is the 50 watt (10 watt laser) version? Do you have a link? They talk about the ability to engrave directly to "smooth stainless steel".
 
From reading about that 10 watt laser it seems like it will engrave direct to the blade without having to use electroetching. Please update thread when you get to try the laser. "IF" it would actually engrave direct to blade $600 would be interesting to an old cheapskate like me :)
 
Just a note, as Stacy already mentioned, those CO2 lasers can not directly etch/engrave any metals unless they're painted, coated, or anodized first. The advertising can sometime be a bit misleading for these less expensive lasers. Here's from the Q&A on the Atomstack website:

Q: Can I engrave metal and stainless steel?
A: You can mark the metal after plating or spraying (acting on the coating or oxide layer), stainless steel (the effect is better after the stainless steel is painted black. Note: It is not engraving, but discoloration).

Companies like CerMark make some black marking sprays, but it really just discolors the surface of the metal. It's relatively durable in the sense that it's not going to wash off with soap and water, or even some stronger cleaning chemicals, but it's still just a surface level treatment and will come off with any abrasive or heavy polishing.
 
Drew, you've responded with exactly what I thought that it required the "paint" that gets discolored and "burnt" into the metal to give the final image. Atomstack site kept talking about the tiny .06mm (<.001") spot and how much better the cutting/burning was. For the use of making stencil it seems like the 10 watt laser doesn't really offer much advantage over the 5 watt laser?

In post #9 an ""80 watt" was asked about - that's the power drawn by the power supply, NOT the power of the laser. The laser is more like 10 watts..... maybe. All depending on the efficiency of the system. The 50 and 60 watt lasers are spec'd as a 10 watt laser.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top