Best places for engraving supplies?

[Robert E Miller]

Since I am new to lasers and only know cnc machining metal, where are the best places to get supplies for laser engraving? Examples: marble, wood, glass etc.

[Martin Boekers]

JDS, Marco (Discount Trophy), Plastics Plus are always dependeable and have a good selection. JDS offers substantial discounts if you order over $5000 a year,
plus free shipping on orders over $1000.

Check for similar discounts as they do add up!

Engravers journal is a good place for research (Free online issues)
www.engraversjournal.com/ (http://www.engraversjournal.com/)
They also have a selection of vendor info.

Most laser sites have and area for vendors also.

While your here, check Friends of the Creek listings as
there are some good vendors as members right here!

Marty

[Keith Outten]

Always check your local Home Depot, Lowes and other businesses like frame shops. You may find an incredible resource for material. I get acrylic drops for ten bucks a trunk load from a local frame shop. I have acquired lots of very expensive glass, marble, stone and other materials from local contractors, they often have submittal samples and large lots of materials left over from large construction projects that they throw away. If you eastablish a relationship with various companies in your area you would be surprised how much expensive material you can get for free......at the same time you end up with some new friends that may want to do business with your company.
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[Robert E Miller]

Thank you for the info.

[Lee DeRaud]

What Keith said.

For generic stuff (as opposed to trophy parts etc), your best bet is vendors that can't even spell "laser"...
otherwise you're paying inflated prices for stuff that isn't laser-specific.

[Martin Boekers]

You may want to consider going to the NBM show at Indianapolis in June of next year. It's not the best of shows but it's probably a 5 hour drive or so for you.
this will give you a good overview since it has engraving, dye sub, printware and signage at one spot. Tickets are usually $10, but you can register in advance for free.

You can get quite a few odds and ends around town as others have said. Dollar stores, Garden Ridge Lowes etc. Watch quality though as some produck is marked granite or marble
and really isn't. Any thing PVC or vinyle try to stay away from as it causes a hazardous and corrosive gas. Acrylic, there are basically 3 types Cell Cast (the best and most expensive
for lasering) Cast Extruded and Plain Extruded (this just cuts a channel and doesn't give a frosted effect).

There is lots of info in this forum and a bit of searching will take you a long way!