Full Version: Tips and ideas for lasering - as promised
From: MR C (MOSHE) [#5]
16 Nov 2006
To: Rodney Gold (RODNEY_GOLD) [#1] 16 Nov 2006
I want to make somthing that looks and almost feels like bronze plaques mostly for indoors. I would need to make many different ones that would be up to 5" x 12" . They would need to be able to have letters a bit smaller than .5" The colour would be bronze and the background would be paint filled.
I am looking for a fast, cheap and clean way to do this.
I am afraid of the chemicals of the etching. Sandblasting seems safer.
I know that there are materials lik zinc, magnesium and Kabronze
Can you suggest what would be my best option.
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#6]
16 Nov 2006
To: MR C (MOSHE) [#5] 20 Nov 2006
Mr. C,
I spoke to a person who was doing just what you're proposing (casting-like product) with Ikonmetal.
Says it cuts like butter with rotary engraving, sandblasting and laser.
At $100+ per sheet (12x24?) not cheap, but neither are actual castings.
EDITED: 16 Nov 2006 by DGL
From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#7]
16 Nov 2006
To: MR C (MOSHE) [#5] 20 Nov 2006
Zinc will oxidize and turn a powdery white, magnesium keep away from oxidizes fast and chips can catch fire easily and burn with a white hot intensity that will cause the same results as thermite.
Kabronze I am unfamiliar with.
From: ABH (BACHI) [#8]
16 Nov 2006
To: ALL
i got a sample of Ikonmetal and tried lasering it.
It required very high power with numerous passes to get a depth of about 1/32.
the only problem is that i am getting very little contrast.
are you supposed to paint fill the engraving to get a reasonable contrast.
Abdul
From: Rodney Gold (RODNEY_GOLD) [#9]
16 Nov 2006
To: ABH (BACHI) [#8] 17 Nov 2006
You could cast these using resin mixed with about 50% bronze powder , but would need a mould for each one , fairly easy to do with a laser tho.
You can also engrave acrylic and give it a faux bronze look with paints/inkls which will probably be the easiest.
There used to be an article on laserpro's USA site explaining EXACTLY how to do this , but it seems laserprousa.com no longer exists - google Faux bronze for some alternative "Recipes"
From: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#10]
17 Nov 2006
To: Rodney Gold (RODNEY_GOLD) [#9] 17 Nov 2006
They changed the website to http://www.laserproi.com
Here is their projects page:
http://www.laserproi.com/en/engr_showcase_main.php
I don't know if they have the same projects or instructions there as the other site though.
From: MR C (MOSHE) [#11]
20 Nov 2006
To: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#10] 20 Nov 2006
thanks for your answers. I dont find the project on Laserpros website.
Also, where can I find bronze powder?