My attempts at Abalone engraving

[Mike vonBuelow]

Firstly - FAIR WARNING!
This is a stinky operation - i.e. stink BEYOND dead fish smell!

30mm diameter Abalone were filled in with Viva "Precious Metal' metallic paint

Anyway, using 25%Spd/100%Pwr, I was able to create these lovelies.

Not bad for my 3rd project, I think.



Bonus points for those who can identify the Kanji....

[Dee Gallo]

They look good, Mike! About the smell - I didn't get any smell when I did mine (about 60 of them) - perhaps your ventilation system is not strong enough? I always use air assist, except for anodized aluminum, so maybe that's why. Or did you cut them yourself? I have not tried to cut shell with my laser.

I like the color fill in various colors, nice variety!

cheers, dee

[Mike Null]

Mike

Did you cut the discs? Very nice looking.

[Mike vonBuelow]

I bought the discs, with hole already made - I just did the engraving & fill

[Frank Corker]

Nice job Mike. I think you must have been lucky Dee, I too got a fairly bad smell when working with abelone laminate, but only when cutting not engraving.

[Mike Null]

I've only cut abalone but know the smell you're describing.

[Mike vonBuelow]

If Dee was only using the super thin (assuming from her pictures) craft shell, she may not have had enough material to contain enough organic matter in which to burn.

But yes, lucky her - regardless.

[Terry Swift]

Who sells Abalone? I know LaserBits does Mother of Pearl for inlay; but not noticed any other suppliers listing shells.

[James Leonard]

Try Duke Of Pearl dot com for almost any shell. They are real big in the laminated products.

If you want abalone veneers that have a self-stick adhesive backing have a look at Aqua Blue Maui.

-James Leonard