arfink Posted August 21, 2012 Author Share Posted August 21, 2012 [quote name='Slappo' timestamp='1345508212' post='2470939'] The wood one looks very burnt to me? It might be the shading and the lighting, but when making so many passes over wood to cut so deep are you noticing that it's charring the wood a little more? [/quote] Yes, exactly. 1/4" is kinda pushing the boundaries of what the machine can effectively cut through, and so the edges get darker. They clean up OK, but in that picture I didn't clean the wood at all. The engraved face, however, has no discoloration due to heat. The interior of the wood piece I was using had that color naturally. As for setting the depth of cut, that's one thing that's very difficult to do exactly. The amount of beam power required to go to a certain depth is highly dependent on the material being cut, since variations in melting and combustion temperature, the amount of gases produced when cutting, and whether there is smoke to obscure the beam, will all play a role. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arfink Posted August 21, 2012 Author Share Posted August 21, 2012 [quote name='Amppax' timestamp='1345508347' post='2470941'] Arfink, I'm assuming you could make a small necklace? if so, I may have to be PMing you shortly. [/quote] Absolutely. Hit me up bro. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sixpence Posted August 21, 2012 Share Posted August 21, 2012 so razzle dazzle! might get something from u in sept ..after i start getting paid again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arfink Posted August 23, 2012 Author Share Posted August 23, 2012 Here's the latest to come off the laser. This is one I'd be comfortable selling, and will be part of my initial lineup when my web store opens in 2 weeks. [img]https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-wlje_trj3EQ/UDV2WoFuYkI/AAAAAAAAC7c/UZHMXvl5V64/s800/mta%2520pendant.JPG[/img] This is made from 1/8" basswood (it's becoming a favorite material) and is 1 3/4" across. It's meant as a pendant, but could be used as a keychain if a more sturdy material such as acrylic were used. The edges look darker than they really are, because they are in shadow. The piece is quite light in color, with only one tiny spot of visible varnish near the loop. It has not been cleaned yet, but I imagine these could look even better with a dark stain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maximilianus Posted August 23, 2012 Share Posted August 23, 2012 coo[font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]l[/font] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arfink Posted August 23, 2012 Author Share Posted August 23, 2012 [img]https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-0gRHu0Xjx_o/UDWFZfsh_8I/AAAAAAAAC8k/FWjSX3ZcWpM/s800/IMG_2956.JPG[/img] And now one in pretty green plastic. This acrylic is far stronger than the wood, and would be suitable for rough uses like keychains where the wood would snap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groo the Wanderer Posted August 23, 2012 Share Posted August 23, 2012 neato frito arf! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ConfusedCatholicGuy Posted August 23, 2012 Share Posted August 23, 2012 Woot! These things are turning out great. They all look amesome! I hope to see them up close soon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Innocent Posted August 23, 2012 Share Posted August 23, 2012 How do you get the rounded (and not sharp) edge at the outer circumference of the medal? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arfink Posted August 23, 2012 Author Share Posted August 23, 2012 Imagine the laser is like a saw blade, but instead of having straight edges it's shaped like a cone. This produces a "kerf" in the material that is subtly angled. The heat of the laser, coupled with the air assist, will cause very slight softening of the edges when you're running the more intense un-pulsed cut beam, and this also helps to leave the outer edge looking polished and smooth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Innocent Posted August 23, 2012 Share Posted August 23, 2012 [quote name='arfink' timestamp='1345733341' post='2472617'] The heat of the laser, coupled with the air assist, will cause very slight softening of the edges when you're running the more intense un-pulsed cut beam, and this also helps to leave the outer edge looking polished and smooth. [/quote] Ah. So if I understand this right, such a method would not work with wood. Is there any way you could create rounded edges on a wooden object you work on with you laser? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arfink Posted August 23, 2012 Author Share Posted August 23, 2012 Well, the photos don't convey it, but the wood also has a very slight round-off on the top edge, though not on the bottom. I tend to clean my wooden pieces with a micro-abrasive sponge, and this also helps soften the edges if I rub them a little extra. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clare~Therese Posted August 23, 2012 Share Posted August 23, 2012 Muy bien, Senor! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheresaThoma Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 Very razzle dazzle! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arfink Posted September 1, 2012 Author Share Posted September 1, 2012 So I tried making a benedict medal. It turned out pretty good. [img]https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-zVtGoaox-a4/UEGM80A9goI/AAAAAAAADbg/Pf1FnaC6HRc/s800/IMG_3012.JPG[/img] Unfortunately this design had some issues, so I have made this, which I will try tomorrow: [img]https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-qE2ryS-diY0/UEGRKQddpJI/AAAAAAAADb0/ccit6_sCBrs/s800/Screenshot%2520from%25202012-08-31%252023%253A37%253A41.png[/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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