Laser Engraving.......in Canada if possible

[penmanship]

Doing some leg work for a potential customer who may want some laser engraving done on some pens. I've seen a few folks on here (mostly east of me) with some fantastic examples of laer engraving.

Where, in Canada can I start looking to get some pens possilby laser engraved?
Also, when does the engraving take place? Do the blanks need to be turned first? Are they to remain a little proud of the bushings, or can they be done to the finished dimension? Should they be finished first, or after?

Any other questions I may not have thought of ??

As always, any and all assistance is appreciated,
Tim

[Mack C. in Brooklin ON]

Doing some leg work for a potential customer who may want some laser engraving done on some pens. I've seen a few folks on here (mostly east of me) with some fantastic examples of laer engraving.

[quote]Where, in Canada can I start looking to get some pens possilby laser engraved? Hi Tim; I get mine done here. The Whitby Trophy House, 1609 McEwen Drive, Whitby ON.
Also, when does the engraving take place? The engraving takes place after I deliver the pens to them!:D Do the blanks need to be turned first? Are they to remain a little proud of the bushings, or can they be done to the finished dimension? Should they be finished first, or after? Answer to your questions in the order you posed them: Yes, Yes, finished dimension, First.

Any other questions I may not have thought of ?? It's necessary to be very specific about what you want laser engraved. I generally type the names out, so there is no mistake.

[krenzr]

I personally stayed away from the bigger shops just to get the personal touch. Laser engraving can be (is) an expensive addition to the pen. The equipment needed for this process is very expensive (35-45K) so chargeout rate will typically be higher.

I found my contact through our local candy store (place where you buy wood). The vendor needs to understand what you are looking for so you need to be speaking with the individual that is operating the machine.

The secret to keeping the price down is doing the design and set up on your own. Laser engravers typically charge between 75 and 125 per hour. You don't want them to be doing the computer drawing or it is just too expensive.

Look through the classifieds and check with your suppliers to see if they know of someone that can do your work. From there it's a matter of working out arrangements with the engraver. They will tell you what format you need the pattern in.

Try to set it up where you are doing more than one. You will get better price breaks.

Hope this helps

[Crickett]

I take my pens to Alfred at Fast Stamps in Abbotsford, he does a great job.
I pick up the pen laying by the order pad, turn my nose up at it and tell him he needs a better pen for me to use, the I reach in my purse and bring out my latest creation, write down the font and size and what I want laser engraved.

[Dagwood]

Look for a trophy shop close to you, they usually have the tools for laser etching. The one I use has thousands of images and fonts so they are easy to work with.

Depending on the wood and the grain pattern you will need to experiment. Laser will burn deeper or darker on different wood styles.
You have the option of lasering the unfinished pen and then finishing afterwards which would allow you to fill in the etched part....(nice)
Or just simply bring the finished pen complete to them for etching and then fill in the etch with some black paint afterwards....(easy and quick)

I average about 20.00 more per pen for Laser etching. So it is pricey. But like they said they need to pay for the ulta expensive equipment.

[dexter0606]

Dagwood
Not to try and steal this post but I have a question about color filling.
I recently had a local trophy shop does some laser engraving for me as an experiement. I gave them some scrap barrels of differenet materials to engrave for me. Then I brought them home and tried filling with acrylic paint. My question is what is teh best way to fill and then clean the area around the engraving? The PR barrel wasn't bad but I had to clean up / scrub the area with acetone. I also tried it on a wooden barrel that I believe had afriction polish finish on it. The paint filled in the grain on the wood.
Any help would be appreciated

Jeff

[Mack C. in Brooklin ON]

Dagwood
Not to try and steal this post but I have a question about color filling.
I recently had a local trophy shop does some laser engraving for me as an experiement. I gave them some scrap barrels of differenet materials to engrave for me. Then I brought them home and tried filling with acrylic paint. My question is what is teh best way to fill and then clean the area around the engraving? The PR barrel wasn't bad but I had to clean up / scrub the area with acetone. I also tried it on a wooden barrel that I believe had afriction polish finish on it. The paint filled in the grain on the wood.
Any help would be appreciated

JeffTry filling the engraving with Minwax Blend-Fil sticks. It comes in many colours.

Once you fill and rub off, check with a 10 power glass. There will be minute holes that can't be seen with the naked eye. Fill them up as well!

A little varsol on a rag will smooth the filling out and won't hurt the finish. I would think acetone would be a no-no.

http://www.penturnersparadise.ca/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=4869&stc=1&d=1268839280

This engraving has been filled with light brown Putty Stick by Shefield.

[carlor]

I just made a call to a local shop here in the Ottawa area that I used in the past. I had some turned boxes engraved a few years ago. I gave them the completely finished product and the image to burn. I was concerned at the time over how deep they went with the engraving but after visiting them and saw that even just a "skimming" burn was possible and looked good, I was satisfied. I also gave them a piece of scrap from the same wood for them to do a test burn.

I told them that I would provide the pens and the image (in CorelDraw format which is what they use). Based on my description of the image they gave me a rough estimate of $7 per pen or $5 per pen for 30 or more pens. (http://www.mementos.com)

I am planning on turning a bunch of pens from some hardwood flooring salvaged from my old highschool gym that was just demolished. I thought people would like them as a keepsake of our old alma mater.


Good luck,

Carlo.

[wade]

Carlo...

I have used Mementos a number of times to have pens engraved (single and double line text). Sue and Dave do a good job and have reasonable prices.

Wade

[dexter0606]

Thanks Mack
Do you have to put any type of finish over the putty?
Have you used this on acrylic?
I want to get away from decalling every time someone wants a name on their pen. Especially if it's one that is already together.

Jeff

[Mack C. in Brooklin ON]

[QUOTE=dexter0606;38322]Thanks Mack
Do you have to put any type of finish over the putty? No finish necessary.

Have you used this on acrylic? I can't say as I have, but I see no reason why it wouldn't work.

I want to get away from decalling every time someone wants a name on their pen. Especially if it's one that is already together. I don't get involved in the engraving of a sold pen anymore. I tell the person where it to go to get it done and that's it. I only get involved when it's my pen I'm giving to someone. I generally get the pen engraved for the person I happen to be swapping with.

My engraver is a good 20 min. drive from where I live, so my return trip generally takes an hour. Then I would pick it up, another hour. I never charged extra for this service, I just stopped doing it.

If the engraver screws up, that's between him and the pen owner. I have no involvement in the transaction.

[dexter0606]

Thanks Mack
I'll give this a shot

Jeff

[jaywood1207]

Dagwood
Not to try and steal this post but I have a question about color filling.
I recently had a local trophy shop does some laser engraving for me as an experiement. I gave them some scrap barrels of differenet materials to engrave for me. Then I brought them home and tried filling with acrylic paint. My question is what is teh best way to fill and then clean the area around the engraving? The PR barrel wasn't bad but I had to clean up / scrub the area with acetone. I also tried it on a wooden barrel that I believe had afriction polish finish on it. The paint filled in the grain on the wood.
Any help would be appreciated

Jeff

Jeff,
I have done a little colour filling and use acrylic paint for it. I spray a small amount on a piece of cardboard or scrap wood and then use a q tip to dip it in the paint and then dab it into the lasered portion. Once done I wipe away the extra sometimes with DNA making sure I don't wipe what is in the lasered portion and draw it out. If you are doing this you have to have a finish on first and not just a friction polish as you have found that doesn't prevent the paint from sticking to the wood.

[Dagwood]

I have used the wax type as Mack suggested with good results. Also look for different rubs at the local craft shop (Micheals).

You will have best luck on a finished pen to avoid paint soaking in where you don't want it.... Acetone is a little too strong to clean up as it will eat CA....

Experiment with a hand full and find what is easiest for your style.

[rebelgal1]

I have done alot of colorfill lately, and i have used the acrylic paint from walmart, I just smear over the engraving with my fingers let it dry for a few minutes then rub awat=y the excess, after a few coats, I will spray with Deft fast dry lacquar and it looks great