Paul Jordan
01-13-2021, 2:15 AM
I got into rotary engraving when I was still in the Air Force. I got a job working evenings and Saturdays at the Skills Development Center (a.k.a. Craft Store) at Eielson, AFB, AK.
I started on an old rotary engraver and the person that trained me showed me a DOS program she used mainly for engraving text for trophies. I asked her what the Windows program was and she just said she didn't use it.
I quickly found out I could put artwork into the Windows program and engrave different things on the metal plates along with the text.
After being there a year, my Boss bought a New Hermes Laser engraver with the rotary attachment for engraving mugs, bottles, that kind of thing.
Me, I engraved everything I could get my hands on. Cigar boxes were great with the laser and I'd engrave caribou or moose on the boxes. I also engraved the matting they would put around prints (More sled dog scenes, etc) and I'd put dog prints right in the matting and the clients loved them.
I eventually left Eielson AFB back in 2,000 (Dang, now I feel really old) but, I always thought of getting back into engraving.
OK, enough about my background. My son works for a place that sells dice of various materials and he wants me to get a laser engraver so I can engrave on the dice that he'll order as blanks.
My question to the gang here... What laser would you buy for doing engraving on dice of various materials and I'd also like to do some wooden sign engraving.
I use AutoCad for drawing houseplans these days after working on Intel Fabrication Facilities worldwide doing designs on them. I've basically been using AutoCad since about 1988 (Did I mention I'm feeling old?)
What software would allow me to laser line as many dice that will fit in the layout area under the laser?
A client of mine recommended checking out BangGood.com and there's a ton of lasers to choose from.
I'm not looking to open a business, just working for one company and maybe a few signs here and there at a flea market kind of setup.
My son brought me a bag full of a lot of various sets of dice and a lot of them aren't just 6 sided. Might have to figure out a way to be able to hold those when engraving..
Any help is greatly appreciated.
I started on an old rotary engraver and the person that trained me showed me a DOS program she used mainly for engraving text for trophies. I asked her what the Windows program was and she just said she didn't use it.
I quickly found out I could put artwork into the Windows program and engrave different things on the metal plates along with the text.
After being there a year, my Boss bought a New Hermes Laser engraver with the rotary attachment for engraving mugs, bottles, that kind of thing.
Me, I engraved everything I could get my hands on. Cigar boxes were great with the laser and I'd engrave caribou or moose on the boxes. I also engraved the matting they would put around prints (More sled dog scenes, etc) and I'd put dog prints right in the matting and the clients loved them.
I eventually left Eielson AFB back in 2,000 (Dang, now I feel really old) but, I always thought of getting back into engraving.
OK, enough about my background. My son works for a place that sells dice of various materials and he wants me to get a laser engraver so I can engrave on the dice that he'll order as blanks.
My question to the gang here... What laser would you buy for doing engraving on dice of various materials and I'd also like to do some wooden sign engraving.
I use AutoCad for drawing houseplans these days after working on Intel Fabrication Facilities worldwide doing designs on them. I've basically been using AutoCad since about 1988 (Did I mention I'm feeling old?)
What software would allow me to laser line as many dice that will fit in the layout area under the laser?
A client of mine recommended checking out BangGood.com and there's a ton of lasers to choose from.
I'm not looking to open a business, just working for one company and maybe a few signs here and there at a flea market kind of setup.
My son brought me a bag full of a lot of various sets of dice and a lot of them aren't just 6 sided. Might have to figure out a way to be able to hold those when engraving..
Any help is greatly appreciated.