Full Version: HELP!!!! Marble Tiles?
From: Nick (NICKIONPOE) [#1]
19 Feb 2007
To: ALL
So on Sunday I was on Laser Sketch's website. No mention that they were going to shut down shop for the whole week on account of Las Vegas, which I unfortunately will not be able to make this year... (boo hoo for me). Tonight I go in to check a few things before I place my order and wham... they are going to be closed all week starting tomorrow. Had I known this on Sunday I would have made arrangements today. I am a little upset that they do not have a back up plan and have someone handling their affairs while they are out gathering new business. (a dis-service to old business)
Okay enough griping, because they have been very good to me otherwise. I need to order 8 1/2 X 11 inch marble tiles. Is there any other supplier out their that I could check into besides Laserbits? Laserbits will have to be my last resort, but the tiles are $5 per tile more than when I buy them directly from Lasersketch and I usually pick up my marble directly from Lasersketch to save on shipping. I would like to explore my options, does anyone have an alternative marble supplier other than Lasersketch or Laserbits?
Your help as always is appreciated.
Nick
EDITED: 19 Feb 2007 by NICKIONPOE
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#2]
19 Feb 2007
To: graniteman (MGARCIA) [#1] 20 Feb 2007
Is there something you can offer Nick. He's asking for marble and although I know you deal in granite, I thought you may have some marble as well.
Thanks,
From: precisionlaser [#3]
19 Feb 2007
To: Nick (NICKIONPOE) [#1] 19 Feb 2007
Hi Nick
How many do you need? Would 8x10 do?
From: Nick (NICKIONPOE) [#4]
19 Feb 2007
To: precisionlaser [#3] 4 Mar 2007
From: Barbara (RGILE) [#5]
2 Mar 2007
To: Nick (NICKIONPOE) [#4] 2 Mar 2007
I do only use the hard marble though.
Do you get your marble white enough? I found that the other marble he uses just give me a gray color.
Let me know.
Barbara
From: Nick (NICKIONPOE) [#6]
2 Mar 2007
To: Barbara (RGILE) [#5] 4 Mar 2007
Hi Barbara,
Thanks for the reply. I am now concerned. I have not heard that the 8.5 X 11 would not be available anymore. I will have to check into that. I did recently pick up 2 boxes but need to keep abreast of what I can and cannot offer my customers.
There is definitely a variation in the stones. Sometimes the tiles are thicker sometimes thinner. Sometimes nicer sometimes not so. Sometimes my image is whiter sometimes not. I have not really put a lot of thought into it, and have simply thought that perhaps it was just a variation due to being natural stone.
We have not been doing this long. I used to sandblast only and found that in addition to being extremely messy, it really irritated my skin. I went to a trade show to look at the new and improved sand machines and came home with a Universal Laser. In my opinion, a good move. Sometimes, I don't get the quality results I am used to with the sand, but it's a lot less work and much easier to clean up after.
If you have an alternate supplier for marble, I would appreciate the recommendation. It is always good to have a backup plan. Also do you have a contact for the memorial headstones. I am looking for some pieces that are 9 X 14 X 2. Lasersketch has been out of stock since before Christmas. He says that they are due in March. I am patiently awaiting their arrival, but think that others might be doing the same and therefore the item may be quickly out of stock again. I have contacted the California supplier that is mentioned on this forum, sorry the name slips me right now. I have not heard back from them as of yet.
From: MIKEY (JADEPUTTERS) [#7]
3 Mar 2007
To: Nick (NICKIONPOE) [#6] 4 Mar 2007
From: mikew [#8]
3 Mar 2007
To: MIKEY (JADEPUTTERS) [#7] 4 Mar 2007
Artistic Laser carries mostly black granite, however their Granite has such a tight grain that it comes out just as nice as hard marble if not better. My customers love it! The quality of their granite is unparallel.
I've had such a bad experience (More than once) with Laser Sketch's quality and service that I'll never order from them again.
Give Mark a call at Artistic Laser and I'm sure he will send you a sample.
From: precisionlaser [#9]
4 Mar 2007
To: Barbara (RGILE) [#5] 4 Mar 2007
From: Nick (NICKIONPOE) [#10]
4 Mar 2007
To: precisionlaser [#9] 4 Mar 2007
From: Barbara (RGILE) [#11]
5 Mar 2007
To: Nick (NICKIONPOE) [#10] 5 Mar 2007
I also think that they have the granite markers. Ask them.
They are also carrying marble, but I have not tried it yet. I have asked Mark for a sample of it in a PM and I have not gotten back a response yet.
I use Lasersketch right now for marble only. I buy my granite from Artistic Laser. It's beautiful. Polished on all sides which makes a very nice presentation for the client. When you are charging good money for these items it's important.
I have had a lot of dirt and paste on the backs of my marble and have to wash all of them before I sell them. Sometimes I glue a black felt to the back of them. They look much nicer that way.
I am anxious to try Artistic Lasers marble also. So Mark, if you are reading this post, would you please send me a few samples? Thank you.
Also, I have tried the armour all trick, and yes it does work, but I still like the hard marble better. It just gives me a much nicer photo.
Barb
From: UncleSteve [#12]
5 Mar 2007
To: ALL
TIA!
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#13]
5 Mar 2007
To: UncleSteve [#12] 5 Mar 2007
You can use a diamond burnishing tool on granite and marble.
How well it works depends on the density of the stone, meaning stone with inconsistent density can see some (softer) areas engraving more deeply than more dense areas.
From: UncleSteve [#14]
5 Mar 2007
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#13] 5 Mar 2007
Which would you suggest starting with as a trial and how large a burnisher? 130????
I am going to see if I can find some tiles at Home Depot to play with....
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#15]
5 Mar 2007
To: UncleSteve [#14] 5 Mar 2007
Depends on how much detail you'll have in the engraving.
I'd say a .010 would be a good starting point. It's a bit wider cut than a standard diamond graver, making it good for most applications and if necessary, you could use multi-line fonts to fatten up the lettering.
EDITED: 5 Mar 2007 by DGL
From: UncleSteve [#16]
5 Mar 2007
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#15] 5 Mar 2007
Talk about detail, you can almost count the windows on the towers!! 8-O
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#17]
5 Mar 2007
To: UncleSteve [#16] 5 Mar 2007
From: UncleSteve [#18]
5 Mar 2007
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#17] 5 Mar 2007
Heck, YOU'RE the Stunt Engraver, not me! ;-)
From: ked (LASERGIRL) [#19]
7 Mar 2007
To: Barbara (RGILE) [#11] 7 Mar 2007
Can you give me the contact info for Artistic Laser?
Thanks,
Kathie
Kambur Engraving and Design
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#20]
7 Mar 2007
To: ked (LASERGIRL) [#19] 7 Mar 2007
Here's Mark Garcia's web site:
http://www.artisticlaser.net
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