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Frederick

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Frederick
Hi all

I have been thinking a lot about pen engraving and lasers. There are a few youtube videos but I would like to know more. Knowing me, I will probably tattoo myself:rolling:

If anyone has any ideas on the best make of machine, type etc. I would be very grateful.

Cheers
Frederick
 

martin.pearson

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What sort of budget do you have, what do you plan to do with it & what sort of experience do you have with the sort of computer software needed to use one?
 

Frederick

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Lasers

Hello Martin

If you PM'd me I didn't receive any text, just the heading.

Cheers
Frederick

OK Martin, thanks got it now. Think I may leave it for a while.

Cheers
Frederick
 
Last edited:

Penpal

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Yet another Ball Game,I have a friend who abandoned pens altogether bin favour of these machines. He finds it hard to keep up with the demand for the intricate work performed. He started with a basic one graduated to a medium sized one buying direct from China at marvellous discounts.

Peter.
 

Mayo Mick

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I was thinking about getting a laser myself for engraving some pens. Only started researching them and so far the Neje laser seems to get good reviews. About £100 from China.
 

martin.pearson

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I was thinking about getting a laser myself for engraving some pens. Only started researching them and so far the Neje laser seems to get good reviews. About £100 from China.

The thing with pens is that they are curved so you really need to have a rotary axis to get the best results, also a lot of these cheap entry level lasers aren't great at stuff like small text & graphics & for something like a pen you need to be able to do small lol
 

Frederick

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Cheers Peter,

I might give it a go as I would like to personalise the items. Some people have said that it is difficult to master, but I do love a challenge.

Cheers,
Frederick
 

silver

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Lasers....

Diode laser. - Such as the Neja laser.
Go for the biggest wattage available, Diode lasers are a good little option for simple small engraving jobs.
the Neje is one that comes in a nice little box that usually has a screen protection on it, there is an A3 sized laser that has nothing at all so it may be worth having that type of laser away from children and animals and the user will need to wear PPE>
The larger A3 lasers some come with Grbl firmware so there is a selection of better softwares available than the one supplied with the unit.
Used for engraving woods and capable of cutting 300 gsm paper.


C02 laser (K40)
The K40 is an entry level Co2 laser engraver. They are a glass tube that is filled with Co2 and works via a set of mirrors to the laser head.
They are notorious for getting them set up due to poor laser alignment, however are a very good unit when set up and working correctly.
Much more powerful than the Neje as they are capable if cutting up to 6mm Mdf, so engraving is never a problem for them.
Stock software and control boards are basic however do a reasonable job.
There is a big following and support from forums, FB pages and there is a lot of methods of up-grading to Smoothie and Grbl firmware controlled boards. That allows the use of better software such as Lightburn.
You will need to make sure that the extractor supplied is piped to the outside and remember the cutting and engraving process creates smoke and gases that needs to be extracted outside your working area.
You will also need a water tank to allow the tube to be cooled when using the laser. (Pump usually provided)

40w laser can if set up right and in good condition cut MDF up to 6mm and laser engrave many material. However will not engrave metals unless you buy a suitable engraver marker spray.

50w lasers + above.
There are many copies out there, a few simple questions of making sure that they have the RuiDa control system installed is a priority. That is a much better control system and can be used with RD works or Lightburn DSP software.
This system allows the machine to be controlled without the PC working, install a memory card or even connect to a network or router and simply run from there..
All the alignment issues with the above laser still applies.

Remember, all the Co2 lasers below £2k from China have very few safety devices and can often be operated with the lid open and cause fatality from the hidden laser beam.

Fibre Laser.
Specialised for metal marking and cutting.

There are many other types of laser but those start to get in to many thousands ££££

There are a few UK suppliers of Co2 lasers, they are all mostly manufactured in China and Taiwan but have specific safety devices as specified for our UK law. They also have the benefit of UK back up and support.

If you want to buy your own laser then make sure you read up on them as much as possible, search google and the forums to gain as much info as you can.

You also need to think about what you want to do with them as well.

Check this out.

Laser Engraver Forum - Index page
 

Frederick

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Hello Eamonn
Thank you very much for the comprehensive reply. Must have taken you ages to type. All I would like to do is engrave pens.
I will do as you suggest and research as much as possible and let you know what I have come up with.

Thanks again for the help; it is appreciated.

Cheers
Frederick
 

Gregory Hardy

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I have just posted elsewhere to learn about this. Not my intent to hijack the original post, but I am interested in very small text only. I would like to be able to put my company name on the barrel of my custom pens discretely (a'la the Parker pens of the 1930s). Any advice? I have started researching mechanical engravers - probably CNC - but am struggling to find anything under $5K USD...very frustrating.
 

silver

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Hello Eamonn
Thank you very much for the comprehensive reply. Must have taken you ages to type. All I would like to do is engrave pens.
I will do as you suggest and research as much as possible and let you know what I have come up with.

Thanks again for the help; it is appreciated.

Cheers
Frederick

Your probably best oing for the simple "Neje" type Diode laser then Fredrick.

If you think that the Mw is actually W, so a 1500mw = 15w.

The Diode laser usually needs focusing as well, often done on the Diode itself.
 

silver

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I have just posted elsewhere to learn about this. Not my intent to hijack the original post, but I am interested in very small text only. I would like to be able to put my company name on the barrel of my custom pens discretely (a'la the Parker pens of the 1930s). Any advice? I have started researching mechanical engravers - probably CNC - but am struggling to find anything under $5K USD...very frustrating.

It all depends on what type of logo you want to put on it Gregory.

Simple small Diode Laser engraver may work but that will only melt plastics and acrylics and burn onto woods, then use a rub and buff type material to fill the engraved void.
I haven't used a Diode laser for that purpose so wouldn't know if it was up to the job of leaving a recess to fil.

There are other ways to burn a logo as well, such as hot branding iron. There are manufacturers in the states that make bespoke ones for your needs. You would just need an accurate way of applying the logo.

Apart from having small transfers made with your logo then put that on prior to finishing the pen then apply your finish.

The C02 laser would do it easily, but you would need a very low power and also would possibly need a rotary attachment. That in itself if you were to buy already made would set you back a few K$.

That's my thoughts of the job.

Hope that helps.

Up-date.

Forgot to add, you could also use a CNC, but again that would need back filling and you would need a rotary attachment as well.

There are a 3040T CNC engraver (Make sure it has the rotary attachment) if you search it then you will see what they are,. But I'm sure it will be a learning curve for you as well.

The only thing you will need to be aware of is they need MAch 3 or UCCNC to operate. that would need to be additional to the price.
 

Gregory Hardy

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It all depends on what type of logo you want to put on it Gregory.
I just want to engrave text - company name - as in days of yore. Acrylic, resins and ebonite. I don't need it to "show," necessarily. I want it "quietly carved in," and not to be necessarily "visible to the normal onlooker." A hidden company branding name that can be seen if you're looking for it, but it doesn't stand out visibly in the general view of the pen. I think I am going to have to go to CNC engraving with a VERY small cutter.
 

silver

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I just want to engrave text - company name - as in days of yore. Acrylic, resins and ebonite. I don't need it to "show," necessarily. I want it "quietly carved in," and not to be necessarily "visible to the normal onlooker." A hidden company branding name that can be seen if you're looking for it, but it doesn't stand out visibly in the general view of the pen. I think I am going to have to go to CNC engraving with a VERY small cutter.

You might not need a rotary in that case as you will be engraving on a very small surface and then you could easily do it on the top of a pen.

What I would say is take a look at the 10° 0.1mm PCB bits.. they are 0.1 mm diameter so would be able to do a very small engraving. If you wanted bigger then go for the 0.5.
 

Gregory Hardy

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You might not need a rotary in that case as you will be engraving on a very small surface and then you could easily do it on the top of a pen.

What I would say is take a look at the 10° 0.1mm PCB bits.. they are 0.1 mm diameter so would be able to do a very small engraving. If you wanted bigger then go for the 0.5.

I think you are right with regard to a rotary mechanism. The radius of the surface will not greatly impact this application, as the letter height (probably 6-8 point letters) will be small. (There would be a slight cut depth difference toward the top and bottom of the letters, but I can make that work. Thanks for sharing ideas with me.
 

Traves123

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Hello Frederick! I recommend the Laser Monport for you. I used it for years now and it helps me a lot of my works.
 

Skydivermel

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I have a 100w CO2 laser and 2 rotary attachments I use with it. I engrave pens, bowls drinks bottles etc on the rotary's. I make all sorts of models out of plywood and acrylic sheets, I engrave just about any picture onto almost any material for people. YouTube is your friend if you need to do some research. Be aware thou it can get expensive for the higher end machines. A Diode laser is ok for the odd job but diodes are very very slow at quality engraving.
 
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