where do i start engraving onto perspex?

[Nicola McIntosh]

hi jon 😀

i had a demo from a guy from suregrave…..as i am interested in getting an engraver too, nice machine but cannot remember what prices he was quoting, but he did say he sold reconditioned ones, every now and then, not sure if buying used is the way to go….maybe some of the engraving experts will help you more 😉

nik

[Jon Fields]

Hi Nik
Dont mind a good second hand machine, or certainly a reliable one..especially to start with, just not sure if hand engraving techniques are same as laser etc..like i said..tend to sub this type of work out..

thanks

Jon

[Rodney Gold]

By far the best engraver to buy today is a laser , especially for acrylics. They are however not cheap machines but can do amazing things. A rotary type engraver to do pex is also not cheap as one requires a relatively large format one with a high power spindle. A laser will both engrave and cut perspex , a 30W laser will cut up to 10mm pex with a polished edge in ANY shape you want , a rotary is limited to the bits it has as to both engraving and cutting and is substantially slower than a laser. the HUGE advantage of a laser is that it is a non contact cutting tool , you dont need fancy jigs or any holding system at all and it can cut and engrave just about ANYTHING barring metals (cork , denim , fabric , card , wood , engraving lams , sign vinyl etc etc etc) It can do incredible detial , complex photos etc etc.
If there is no one in your area with a laser and you have some creativity and rudimentary marketing skills , it can be a liscence to print money , We have 6 lasers and they are busy all day. As a signmaker , a laser makes a lot more sense too as it can do stuff nothing else can.
Have a look at my website , just about all the acrylic products and many others were made with lasers
http://www.tokerbros.co.za
and have a look at this site where I posted an extensive article in terms of what one can do or make money with using a laser
http://www.engravingetc.org/forum/messa … msg=1617.1

[Jon Fields]

Thanks Rodney..a very informative read..great website and great products

Jon

[Martin Forsyth]

I have had my laser (an Epilog Mini 25w) since mid January, and must say the scope it gives me is amazing. I do make lots of ‘custom’ awards for people, and plenty of key fobs.
Whilst mine is the smallest of the Epilog’s, it is perfect for what I need.
For example if someone wants 100 key fobs, I place a sheet of acrylic in, and off it goes, engraving first, then cutting afterwards – meanwhile I can be doing something else.

I wouldn’t be without mine now.

[Jon Fields]

Hi Martin,
is it an expensive piece of kit?

Jon

[Martin Forsyth]

Hi

I paid around £8999, plus VAT, and an extra £500 for the rotary attachment(to do glasses etc)

So, to me, it was a lot of money.

Saying that, the potential you can earn is pretty high too.

I have it going most days, and it does give very professional results.