Full Version: Getting Started, Need Advice
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#7]
11 Jan 2006
To: cindy (ROBERTM) [#6] 11 Jan 2006
With the laser resist, in essence, your laser machine is creating the image, by burning through the mask. You'll have an easier time of it with flat items, but if you have cylindrical capability, you can burn masks (resists) onto glasses etc.
Photo resists are created before they're applied to the substrate.
From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#8]
11 Jan 2006
To: cindy (ROBERTM) [#6] 11 Jan 2006
Cindy,
With the use of laser mask material and your laser engraver you can do many of flat and cylindrical items. Where your laser falls short is when you want to etch curved glass frames, compound angled items, multi-dimensional items, recessed items, etc.
I will say, if you have already have laser, the best investment you could ever make is a sandblast cabinet, dust collector and compressor. The photo resist processing equipment can come later.
EDITED: 11 Jan 2006 by DATAKES
From: Florida Don (FLORIDADON) [#9]
11 Jan 2006
To: cindy (ROBERTM) [#4] 11 Jan 2006
Cindy,
I see you are in Mississippi. Fortunately for you there is a guy by the name of Tom Eddleman who is on the sandcarving board and lives in Mississippi.
He is a master at blasting. I think he is near Jackson. If that is near you, contact him via the board and go talk to him. I guarantee you won't regret it.
Don
From: cindy (ROBERTM) [#10]
11 Jan 2006
To: Florida Don (FLORIDADON) [#9] 12 Jan 2006
From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#11]
11 Jan 2006
To: cindy (ROBERTM) [#10] 12 Jan 2006
You won't regret it!
Tom Eddleman
Eddleman Etching
Jackson Mississippi
(601) 373-0276
tomeddleman @ jam.rr.com
From: Florida Don (FLORIDADON) [#12]
12 Jan 2006
To: cindy (ROBERTM) [#10] 12 Jan 2006
Cindy,
I think David answered your question.
Tom used to offer classes. I am not sure if he still does, but if he does I would take one from him.
I flew down from Michigan (when I still lived there) to take one.
Plus, Tom is a lot of fun.
Don
From: JimK (JUSTTHE4OFUS) [#13]
12 Jan 2006
To: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#8] 12 Jan 2006
Thanks to Cindy and those helping her I think I am starting to get it. However, one of the primary things I want to blast are photos. Can I get the detail I need with laser resist? If I need photo resist to get the detail, can I get the same detail with Rapid Mask? I know cheapest is not the bestest and cutting corners does not produce quality, plus I'd like to minimize wasted money on entry-level unless its really the right thing to do.
I just put my new refurbished tube in the laser last night and after being down for almost 3 weeks I am burning again. I think I will use the laser resist for awhile just to learn but not sure where I need to go next. My Laser Tape came yesterday also.
For cabinet and blaster, does anyone have experience with the Etchmaster Benchtop Cabinet and their pressure blaster?
Thanks to all!!!!
From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#14]
12 Jan 2006
To: JimK (JUSTTHE4OFUS) [#13] 12 Jan 2006
Jim,
I am familiar with that unit, but I have to recommend another option if you want to keep your work area clean and tidy. There are many blasting cabinet suppliers such as GlaStar, Rayzist, Etchmaster, Photobrasive, A-Blast, among others, who have the pressure pot built right into the lower portion of the cabinet. This is a big plus because all you have to do to refill the pot with abrasive is depressurize the unit, then a tension cap opens up and the abrasive in the cabinet falls back into the pot.
With a remote, independent pressure pot you will have to dump the abrasive from the bottom of your cabinet into a container, then dump that container into your remote pot. In both of these actions you will get a small to medium dust cloud that will work its way around your shop.
If you are going to focus on photographs, the best results will be achieved by using RapidMask HD film from Photobrasive. The laser mask process may work with very large photos, but will not produce the detail you need on smaller photos because of the dpi size required when halftoning the image.
EDITED: 12 Jan 2006 by DATAKES
From: JimK (JUSTTHE4OFUS) [#15]
12 Jan 2006
To: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#14] 13 Jan 2006
OK, that's what I need to hear, I would have been pretty unhappy with the mess. Back to my research. Too many choices!
Jim
From: engravernick (NICK) [#16]
17 Jan 2006
To: cindy (ROBERTM) [#4] 18 Jan 2006
Cindy,
I was out of town for a couple days and was away from a terminal. I see the forum "regulars" took good care of your question in a lot greater detail than I would have been able. Yeah, the sink, etc. is used with the photo resist. Laser resist is simply like tape.
Nick
From: cindy (ROBERTM) [#17]
18 Jan 2006
To: engravernick (NICK) [#16] 11 May 2006
I took Don's advise and called and visited Tom Eddleman. All I can say is this guy is awsome. He does teaching and would be well worth it.
But after looking at the equipment, him letting me do a sandcarving of a eagle. Not sure this would fit into the nitch I have created for myself.
I'm thinking that if I come across business that requires sandcarving I will outsource this peice of business.
I'm a home based business and don't do trophies or gift items. The business that I have so far come across that would require sandblasting or sandcarving would be big stuff that I don't think I could handle anyway. For big peices Tom gets all suited up (like an astrounaunt) with air supply and does this outside. Not sure even if I wanted to that this is something that I could handle.....
Cindy