can anyone give me a supplier of suitable material?

[Russell Pavey]

Hi Rich

I remember that Rodney mentioned something about this in the following post

http://www.uksignboards.com/viewtopic.php?t=12756

4) Cut rubber masks for the monumental engraving industry (they use em as sand blast resists)

The self adhesive rubber is available from sign suppliers , it stops the sand used when blasting from impacting the stone and thus only the areas you peel away are blasted , the rubber is difficult to cut as its thick , but a laser can do far better than a knife or vinyl cutter in this regard, Gives a far deeper engraving than just lasering the mable or granite and its much smoother , applys to the glass thing below. Yopu need NOT use rubber unless you are doing major depth blasting , you can use vinyls as well (laser friendly ones)

Maybe you could use something similar to the rubber masks – I though about the possibilities at the time but never followed it up.

Just a thought.

Russ

[Rodney Gold]

You can use any stiff NON pvc based plastic thin film , tho 0.6mm styrene or ABS is the cheapest and easiest to get. Other materials are UHI acrylic , thin polycarbonate (discolours edges) PETG etc. You can use cardstock too. Some solvents in paints can affect plastic stencils. In a pinch you can use the Rowmark Flexibrass engraving stock stuff.