Full Version: Project too big for laser bed

From: Ed (EMERY) [#1]
 29 Mar 2007
To: ALL

I've been approached by our local County Commission to engrave a glass door.

My laser bed can't accomodate the piece (21"x80").

Can I make something that can be attached to the glass? Or do I give up on the project?

Edsel Emery
Emery Laser Engraving

From: Goodvol (JIMGOOD) [#2]
 29 Mar 2007
To: Ed (EMERY) [#1] 30 Mar 2007

Edsel,

You might consider outsourcing it. I would not turn down the job because they may not come back for future work. You may not make as much money outsourcing it, but you show them you can handle their request and they will come back for more business that your machine can handle.

Jim

From: UncleSteve [#3]
 30 Mar 2007
To: Ed (EMERY) [#1] 30 Mar 2007

I suggest you get a glass etching kit, make a sample and see if they would accept that...

This sounds like a perfect etching application. :D

From: Mike (MIKEN) [#4]
 30 Mar 2007
To: Ed (EMERY) [#3] 30 Mar 2007

Ed:
Rather than turn down the work give some thought to making a deal with somebody with sandcarving equipment. That's really a better process for this work and you might come up with a new business alliance.

From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#5]
 30 Mar 2007
To: Ed (EMERY) [#1] 30 Mar 2007

Better be certain that it is not tempered glass. That will shatter in the laser or being sand carved.

If you attach something to it use only glue. You cannot drill it either without it shattering.

The trick to tempered glass is that the surface is under tremendous compression. Scratch the surface too deep and it turns into tiny pieces from the stress. That is the reason for tempered glass. It has to shatter and not break leaving lots of big sharp edges.

EDITED: 30 Mar 2007 by HARVEY-ONLY

From: Ed (EMERY) [#6]
 30 Mar 2007
To: Mike (MIKEN) [#4] 30 Mar 2007

Thanks for the advice, guys...I'm stopping at the courthouse on Monday to look over the project. I'll probably be back for more help!

From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#7]
 30 Mar 2007
To: Ed (EMERY) [#6] 30 Mar 2007

Ed,

I agree with those who say the job is worth pursuing, but only as a middleman.

Good luck!

From: Laser Image (LASER_IMAGE) [#8]
 30 Mar 2007
To: Ed (EMERY) [#1] 30 Mar 2007

Bring it to someone like me that has a 38" x (infinite length) laser - yep, pass through doors save the day!

Gary

P.S. Tempered glass can be an issue but I am working with a sandcarver that does it all the time. They are pro's and have no problem at all with it.

From: Larry B (PALMETTO) [#9]
 30 Mar 2007
To: ALL

Ladies and Gentlemen:
I am in the door business, have been for 30 years. FYI ALL glass doors are required by Federal Law to have tempered glass or the equivalent (wire glass can substitute). Any glass that is located in an opening that is less than 18" off the floor is required by most codes to be tempered. So it's a foregone conclusion that it is tempered.

I have sandblasted tempered glass before with success.

Also, and this may be objectionalable to some, but Oracal, the vinyl company makes a product, that when cut on a plotter and applied properly is difficult to tell from etched or sandblast. If your customer is looking for something just for the look, this is an alternate to set up and sandblast etc. Cheaper too. I have some of this material on a door coming into my house and I get remarks all the time on the "sandblasting". I get a laugh when I tell them it's vinyl.

From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#10]
 30 Mar 2007
To: Larry B (PALMETTO) [#9] 31 Mar 2007

Larry,

I can vouch for the credibility of the "I can't believe it's not sandblasting" vinyl.

Very realistic and capable of fooling the trained eye, from a (short) distance.

EDITED: 30 Mar 2007 by DGL

From: Mike (MIKEN) [#11]
 30 Mar 2007
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#10] 30 Mar 2007

Glad to hear about the good looks fo the vinyl. I was aware of it but hadn't heard comments.

Now as soon as I can find the switch on my vinyl cutter I'll have something to do.

From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#12]
 30 Mar 2007
To: Mike (MIKEN) [#11] 1 Apr 2007

Mike,

You won't be disappointed. Very slick invention. :-)

From: UncleSteve [#13]
 30 Mar 2007
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#12] 30 Mar 2007

And it is great for municipalities where the manager/clerk/etc. name may change with every election.... :S

From: Doug (JDOUG5170) [#14]
 31 Mar 2007
To: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#5] 31 Mar 2007

Harvey, I'm sorry, but, tempered glass can most certainly be sandcarved.

Doug

From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#15]
 31 Mar 2007
To: Doug (JDOUG5170) [#14] 31 Mar 2007

I was told by a few sand carvers that they would never touch it again.

But I'll take your word for it.

From: UncleSteve [#16]
 31 Mar 2007
To: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#15] 1 Apr 2007

Acid etching will work well... used on automobile safety glass all the time.. :D

From: Franklin (FW_HAYNES) [#17]
 31 Mar 2007
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#10] 1 Apr 2007

I currently work for a sign company here and do alot of vinyl work. The etchmark vinyl is difficult to lay because it is so thin that it gets bubbles really easy, but once it is laid on the glass, it does look like etched glass.

From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#18]
 1 Apr 2007
To: Franklin (FW_HAYNES) [#17] 1 Apr 2007

Franklin,

I haven't worked with vinyl much, but do the usual tricks of the trade (application solution, i.e., soapy water) help with eliminating air bubbles during installation?

From: Larry B (PALMETTO) [#19]
 1 Apr 2007
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#18] 1 Apr 2007

Dave:
Sqeegee as normal. My wife put this on our door after I cut it and it looks great. Normally an office or the like just wants a number or something small , so it could be done on site. We didn't find it any more difficult than other vinyls.

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