Masking Tape Suggestions

[Soren Christensen]

Hi people,

Thanx in advance for any assistance. Its greatly appreciated. :)


So I seen alot of people meantion masking tape, but havent gotten around to find any of the wider rolls, that people some times talk about.

Could some share a bit of info, on where they get the tape from or maybe just point me in the right direction?

[Mike Null]

What you'll need is most likely called transfer tape. You can buy it from a sign supply wholesaler. I buy high tack.

[Ralph Undis]

This is the last one I bought - 12" wide http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DF7TDSF/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Worked pretty good on walnut and maple on some Christmas ornaments I didn't want to sand. These work pretty good at smoothing out the tape - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0038D9282/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Soren Christensen]

This is the last one I bought - 12" wide http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DF7TDSF/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Worked pretty good on walnut and maple on some Christmas ornaments I didn't want to sand. These work pretty good at smoothing out the tape - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0038D9282/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

That was exactly was i was looking for :)
And it works well with the laser and how about acrylic? :)

[Joe Pelonio]

I also use 12” high tack transfer tape, for wood, acrylic and other plastics. It’s easily removed, and if used for paint fill doesn’t bleed. It also helps reduce charring on wood.

[Soren Christensen]

I also use 12” high tack transfer tape, for wood, acrylic and other plastics. It’s easily removed, and if used for paint fill doesn’t bleed. It also helps reduce charring on wood.

Is high tack needed, or is it different for every brand? I'm guessing some brands are better than others? :)

[Ralph Undis]

Never used it on acrylic. I usually cut mirrored acrylic and vector etch the backside.

[Mike Null]

Don't be confused by the term "high tack" when it comes to transfer tape. It's not as sticky as ordinary masking tape. You need the high tack for unfinished wood and textured materials.

[Soren Christensen]

Don't be confused by the term "high tack" when it comes to transfer tape. It's not as sticky as ordinary masking tape. You need the high tack for unfinished wood and textured materials.

So you wouldnt need high tack for acrylic? you could settle with med tack for instance?

[Mike Null]

I think you're over-thinking this. The clear acrylic I engrave comes with a protective paper which I engrave through. I don't use tape on laminated plastics. The high tack sticks better to unfinished wood otherwise medium will do just fine.

[Soren Christensen]

I think you're over-thinking this. The clear acrylic I engrave comes with a protective paper which I engrave through. I don't use tape on laminated plastics. The high tack sticks better to unfinished wood otherwise medium will do just fine.

I have actually tried Trotecs Trolase acrylic on a fablab closeby, but every time I keep the protective plastic on, the lines just keeps getting a bit blurry and it wont penetrate the plastic completely :(

And the laser is a Bodor 120w, running the job at 300s 25/30 power. And it seems that it needs 2 times to get the proper result, and yet some of the details still wont get done right. Without the protective plastic, it works fine but i get sod on the edges and it dosnt really make a new run.

Im starting to think, that its the lasers fault :P

[Jerome Stanek]

I have actually tried Trotecs Trolase acrylic on a fablab closeby, but every time I keep the protective plastic on, the lines just keeps getting a bit blurry and it wont penetrate the plastic completely :(

And the laser is a Bodor 120w, running the job at 300s 25/30 power. And it seems that it needs 2 times to get the proper result, and yet some of the details still wont get done right. Without the protective plastic, it works fine but i get sod on the edges and it dosnt really make a new run.

Im starting to think, that its the lasers fault :P

I think that you are trying to use extruded Acrylic and not cast. Cast engraves and cuts better

[Soren Christensen]

I think that you are trying to use extruded Acrylic and not cast. Cast engraves and cuts better

It doesn't seem like extruded acrylic:


https://www.trotec-materials.com/laser-materials/plastic/trolase.html

I doubt they would sell something for engraving, if it wasn't good for engraving :)

[Tony Lenkic]

Soren,

When cutting only you can leave protective film on.
For engraving remove film. If you do both, remove film and engrave then before cutting apply paper transfer tape. This requires sending job separate.

[Mike Null]

Plastic film should always be removed before engraving. I just remove plastic film regardless but most cast acrylic comes with a paper cover and I engrave through that just to ease clean-up.

[Soren Christensen]

Soren,

When cutting only you can leave protective film on.
For engraving remove film. If you do both, remove film and engrave then before cutting apply paper transfer tape. This requires sending job separate.


Plastic film should always be removed before engraving. I just remove plastic film regardless but most cast acrylic comes with a paper cover and I engrave through that just to ease clean-up.

Well I did already try and remove the film and then engrave. However it seems like the laser don't get through the black (I use black on white) at some places. It's like the acrylic is bent somehow.

I will have to test out your advice tomorrow, when I'm off to the fablab again. :)