Engraving granite & marble

[Terry Wade]

In the past few days I have had a few inquiries about engraving some granite and or marble plaques and they have wanted it to come out like what you see on the typical grave marker which is by sandblast method.
I have a sandblast cabinet so that part isn't a problem, but I don't have a vinyl cutter to cut that sandblast resist mask with and was wandering if anyone has placed the resist on the granite and used the laser to cut the resist then weed out the unwanted resist and then sandblast the granite? If you have done this what type of resist mask did you use and wear did you get it?

Thanks,
Terry Wade

[Gary Hair]

Anchor, as far as I know, is the only one who produces polyester sandblast stencil. I have used tons of the 116, it's thick enough to blast granite yet not so thick that you can't use it on softer stone like marble or bluestone. Just don't use it on anything polished, it's way too sticky and will be unbelievably difficult to remove. There is a lower tack version of it but the number escapes me at the moment. Practice a bit to get your settings right, on the stone is best and most forgiving when you use too much power - which is much better than too little!!

[Joe Pelonio]

I have used Anchor 117, a medium tack, no problem removing as long as you don’t use the stencil filler as you would for wood.

[John Lifer]

If you have a JDS account, and I expect others sell it as well, Ikonics makes a LaserTape imaging sandcarving film. Supposedly apply to substrate, laser and sandcarve.
Comes in 4 to 12" rolls.

[Gary Hair]

If you have a JDS account, and I expect others sell it as well, Ikonics makes a LaserTape imaging sandcarving film. Supposedly apply to substrate, laser and sandcarve.
Comes in 4 to 12" rolls.

That's great stuff but not for granite, it's really best on glass.

[Gary Hair]

I have used Anchor 117, a medium tack, no problem removing as long as you don’t use the stencil filler as you would for wood.

I've really only needed filler on really rough substrates and then only with 116.

[Keith Outten]

Before you give up on laser engraving marble try coating the surface with Armour All. Wipe off the excess and engrave and see what you think of the results. There are several threads here on the subject.

[Jeff Watkins]

I know John already pointed it out but I use Green Laser Tape from Ikonics. I just used in yesterday on a glass top Humidor that went in the blast cabinet after laser engraving away the name and graphics I was putting on it. I bought a 6x100 roll from Johnson last year, I don't use it much but it's nice to have when I need it. Ikonics sent me a sample of their Orange Laser Tape but I haven't had a chance to try it yet. The Green is very stretchy so it wraps around things like rocks, wine glasses, etc. But, if you stretch it make sure you get all the bubbles out and blast it quickly since it tends to want to return to rest rather than staying stretched. The orange is not as flexible or 'stretchy' as the green.

You might try calling or emailing Ikonics or one of the other maske makers directly and tell them what you're doing and see if what they can recommend.

[Rex Thomas]

Good stuff Keith. I'm going to try that out this weekend. I have had some great success engraving photos in black granite and then wiping it down afterwards with a coating I use. Anxious to see if there is a difference using both processes.

Rex Thomas
Owner
Thomas Laser Design
Woodbridge, Virginia

[Neville Stewart]

Whaaat! I could only find one post and it just instructed you to try it, what the heck does Armorall do? I’m fascinated.

Before you give up on laser engraving marble try coating the surface with Armour All. Wipe off the excess and engrave and see what you think of the results. There are several threads here on the subject.

[Keith Outten]

Armorall makes your engraved areas on black marble white. I have shared lots of information about this here and I think several pictures of college diplomas that I have engraved which used to be a big part of my business. I used to engrave a lot of black granite but I can't remember now whether I used Armorall on granite, its been a long time.

[Kev Williams]

ArmorAll, 'negative Cermark'?

[Lee DeRaud]

Armorall makes your engraved areas on black marble white. I have shared lots of information about this here and I think several pictures of college diplomas that I have engraved which used to be a big part of my business. I used to engrave a lot of black granite but I can't remember now whether I used Armorall on granite, its been a long time.

Ok, now I'm confused.

As I recall it, the Armor-All thing was what you used to recommend to people who were trying to get marble-like results on the cheaper Home Depot granite.

[lukas kupasz]

Hello
I been thinking about building a cnc for my business,which is monument business.


the main engraving will be on soft marbles and if it can just make small touch engraving on black granite its great.
1)please let know what spindle rpm is recommended for engraving on marbles-should it be slow rpm or fast?
2)do u think a 2.2kv spindle is strong or we need a stronger one?
3)what typ of rails and motors recomended?do u think a round rails with step motors is ok?or i need gear rails?with servo motor?
4)what bits i need to engrave on marbles?and where is a good place to buy?shoud it be tungsten carbide blades or hss or vidia blades for marbles?
5)should we use water when we engrave on marbles?
6)whats the speed recommended for engraving stone and down rate?
7)any recomended structure is welcome


thanks in advance

[Bill George]

Lukas, wrong forum you need to be over on the CNC Forum. When you get there do some Searching and Reading first before posting a bunch of questions.