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jeff glynn
12-07-2012, 3:11 PM
Hi Im looking for suppliuers of glass squares 7cn x7cm x 10mm in the uk plenty in china but i only want small amounts to start with plus any other ideas of laserable items suppliers
many thanks

Michael Hunter
12-07-2012, 6:36 PM
The packs of "Georgian" glass sold for front doors are an inexpensive way to get nice pieces of square glass with smooth edges.
B&Q and/or Wickes were selling them a year or two back, but I haven't seen them recently - you might need to go to a good timber merchant/joinery supplier.

B&Q are a good source of cheap mirror tiles in various sizes : engrave from the back and colour fill with enamel paint. Fun.

Identify/Trotec have laserable things, as does HPC Laser.

Steve Kelsey
12-07-2012, 7:07 PM
Sounds like there is business to be had in the UK. Perhaps contact LaserBits or JDS to see about a UK distribution partnership or look at opening one up?

Michael Hunter
12-08-2012, 8:11 AM
I'm not aware of a one-shop-sells-all outfit like JDS in the UK, but there are more than enough specialist suppliers if you do a bit of research.
For wooden laserables we tend to look to Eastern Europe (Poland, Lithuania) for high quality coupled with very low prices, cheap freight rates and no import duty.

I looked into getting wooden CD cases from Colorado Heirloom. Nice product at a reasonable price but the enormous shipping costs completely killed the idea.

Mike Null
12-08-2012, 10:25 AM
Jeff

Can't be of any help but I want to welcome you to SMC. We'll look forward to seeing some of your work.

jeff glynn
12-08-2012, 7:12 PM
Thanks to all for advice im new to lasers and not sure what im doing just working from home as im disabled .I have been just lasering painted watering cans as flower pots.

Looking for cheep items to do until i know what im doing,seem to mess up a lot. I have found a company for glass called www.specialistglass.co.uk (http://www.specialistglass.co.uk/) but only do large orders 100 min i only need 10 at a time.

Ross Moshinsky
12-08-2012, 7:49 PM
Glass is one of the most difficult materials to laser engrave well. Starting off with glass is probably not the best idea. I'd start with acrylic, wood, laminated plastics, and coated metals. They are all fairly easy to engrave and will give you good consistent results while you practice.

If you want glass, have you called a local glass shop? Many of them have decent pieces that they'll just throw out. You might be able to land a decent bit for free for samples.

jeff glynn
12-09-2012, 5:48 AM
Thanks Rossyeah I have found glass difficult I wanted to engrave image of a baby but it doesn’tcome out well, text seems to work ok, i can get glass pieces from any glasssupplier but they are unable to suppliers with smooth edges unless it’s a largearea of glass to fit in edging machine only specialist glass does small sizebut expensive and as I’m only doing as a hobby.

Ross Moshinsky
12-09-2012, 10:21 AM
Thanks Rossyeah I have found glass difficult I wanted to engrave image of a baby but it doesn’tcome out well, text seems to work ok, i can get glass pieces from any glasssupplier but they are unable to suppliers with smooth edges unless it’s a largearea of glass to fit in edging machine only specialist glass does small sizebut expensive and as I’m only doing as a hobby.


Use acrylic. It's far more laser friendly. It's a more expensive product but it's much easier to work with. Glass is obviously a more durable material but acrylic is a decent like for like replacement.