Engraving Metal With A CO2 Laser

[@MyersWoodshop]

TOOLS / MATERIALS ■ 60w Laser Cutter - amzn.to/2s7VLtS ■ Endura Mark - bit.ly/enduramark ■ Ceramark - amzn.to/2rpmgv0 ■ Brilliance Laser Inks - amzn.to/2OZSaY1 ■ Cermark LMC-6044P - amzn.to/38hAAq1 ■ Dry Molly Lube - amzn.to/2YqSSk2 ■ Genuine Chiller 5200 - amzn.to/2LA0JXc ■ Rotary - amzn.to/2qxC927

[@solidshell0]

Pfff not for belgium😡

[@tonystaples7017]

To use the moly lube, I have found thru experimentation that it takes 2 -3 good coats, letting it dry between each. The surface has to have a good even coat before etching in the laser. If you follow these stepds then the marks are nice and dark. I have 100W X700 Chinese black and red. speed 100, power 35%, 0.050 line interval in lightburn.

[@MyersWoodshop]

that's helpful, thanks!

[@RokyR2011]

Nice. One tip. In LB you have an option to curve text to match curve of a knife. Anyway nice job.

[@georgewages8539]

A great Big thank you for all your time in producing these videos..just bought a new unopened 320.00 dollar 40 watt Preenex lazer engraver from a friend that changed their mind because of its complexity. . Also in Arkansas! I collect vintage sewing machines and setting up a embroidery machine and thought this engraver would enhance my shop. havent unpacked it yet but watching your videos I already learned alot. thanks again for you efforts and time.

[@MyersWoodshop]

glad I can help.

[@jjs4x]

I really enjoy your videos but I have to say I don’t think you gave the Moly Lube a fair chance. The coats you sprayed were super light compared to how much of the other stuff you put on. You can even see the large spot that was just a light misting. I have had plenty of good results with Moly Lube, definitely good enough for a home user. It’s not my “go to” product but definitely worth keeping on the shelf. Jason

[@MyersWoodshop]

I actually globbed the molly lube in two spots. way thicker than the endura mark.

[@UmBungo]

@@MyersWoodshop I’m a newbie to the whole lasering thing, but with regards to spraying, I can say that it looked like an uneven spray. Regardless, thank you very much for spending the time, money and effort to produce this video. To a newbie like myself, this kind of stuff is invaluable - I know nothing about engraving metal yet. I haven’t even chosen my laser yet either, but have fallen into a hole that leads me to videos and channels like yours. Liked and subscribed ✌🏻

[@theunlivingroom8261]

he also oversprayed the Ceramark onto the Dry Moly side. This video was not very helpful in making a fair comparison :/

[@mizraimgonzalez6865]

Can you please tell me what camera are u using for Lightburn? thanks

[@Shazam0527]

The reason for the pooling is you oversprayed on top of it, the 2 chemicals reacted to each other.

[@MyersWoodshop]

yeah, trying to show off two side by side is hard with a spray.

[@lindseyjohnson1130]

@@MyersWoodshop Next time you demonstrate or run a test like this simply use a piece of cardboard to mask each side while spraying. You also want to spray light even coats. Use a heat gun or hairdryer to dry.

[@jeremygreer87]

Do you have any videos of your camera install on your laser or videos you watched for that or even a brand you recommend?

[@rwhipple73]

I get the same results on stainless with nothing that you got with the dry moly lube. Have you tried with nothing.

[@RoseKindred]

Hi, this was a nice comparison video and testing. Can I make a suggestion though? I don't think I can do links (spam filters) but for the testing on the saw blade (and other products) your testing was slightly flawed. Can I recommend making a tester file, sort of a listing of 20 to 30 different settings (you may need two or three files depending on your software) with each one spelling out what the setting is in the file. Example from a saved video: The laser is set at each of the settings and will etch what they say. 11% 10Watts 050 mm/Sec 11% 10Watts 100 mm/Sec 11% 10Watts 150 mm/Sec And so on. As you wipe the solution and clean up the work you can see the effectiveness at each level and find the sweet spots. From some of the laser forums, I read the cheaper sprays will work great but you have to find the exact power level and speed for it to be effective. The video I got the above example from had I think 2 of 16 settings that etched with the cheaper spray.

[@MyersWoodshop]

sure.

[@HGANGHONY]

Probably would help to shield the other half.

[@MyersWoodshop]

what do you mean?

[@CrayonRocketry]

@@MyersWoodshop I think he means that, when you sprayed the two coatings, you did nothing to mask off each half. If you had placed a sheet of paper over half of the saw blade before spraying, you could have avoided over-spraying onto the other side. Also, I wonder if the dry moly lube would have worked with different settings. Perhaps higher power, or slower movement, would have allowed it to work better. Then using a solvent to rinse it off, rather than "abrading" it off with dry paper towel and Scotchbrite™ pads, might have worked better.... For a $50 a can difference in price, I'd be willing to put in a fair amount of fine-tuning to get workable results, myself.

[@hunebare22]

Great video. Thanks for the comparison. I’ve been wanting to try engraving on my OMTech 80w. I would really love to know what camera you’re using with lightburn? I heard you say it’s their camera, but I wasn’t aware they offered cameras. 🤷‍♀️

[@stevebrown1132]

With the moly lube you need to use acetone to remove the coating.

[@PhongNguyen-iz3sj]

I needed to mark the blade of a kitchen knife. Saw your video and I thought.. a) Don't want to use an automotive spray on a knife that will be used on food.. b) Don't want to spend $50+ for a one time use chemical. I needed a way for the laser to be absorbed and turn enough molecules to carbon and stick to metal. I just so happen to have a DIY mixture of borax and sugar that is used to kill ants in the kitchen. I know borax is used to help darken laser engraving on wood.. because of the carbon. The sugar is carbon based. So, I tried it. Three coats of the mixture with drying in between on the lid of a Ball jar, settings is 30% on a 100 watts laser.. it worked. Tried it again on a Henkel’s steak knife.. came out as good as the Henkel’s logo that is already on the knife. Simple, safe and works. I tried scrubbing the etching of the blade with soap and water; baking soda dry and with water. At a closer look, the etching is actually in the knife.. just deep enough to avoid the scrubbing. I hope this helps.

[@michaeltatham4307]

The text would look even better if you draw an arc the same as the curve of the back of the handle, write your text and go to edit and fit text to curve, then you don't need to rotate it. Better fit. Nice job, gives me ideas.

[@MyersWoodshop]

Thanks for the tip

[@wayneshephard]

Great process to watch, thanks for sharing. Must have increased the value of that knife by about 400% :)

[@sublimationman]

Wondering if you ever got your rotary attachment hooked up and working? If you did I would like to see a how to video on it.

[@MyersWoodshop]

It’s working. Working on the right settings for it. Video is being shot along the way. Hopefully out by January

[@zachofalltrades1111]

actually you can because ive tried it on some of my old tools and it does cut into the metal and you can feel the depth.

[@AlexLaTorreAXELmodellismo]

Ciao!Posso farti una domanda forse un pò bizzarra?Secondo te acquistando solo il "modulo per incisore laser-testa laser " sarebbe possibile usarlo a mano libera, tipo seghetto da tenere in mano e tagliare per lungo senza nessuna costrizione dettata dal carrello della macchina.Grazie se saprai rispondermi.

[@someonebartender]

Hello isnt that dangerous to engrave on Metal?

[@ErosMassa]

I really need the Endura Mark but...they're only delivering in the US :/

[@DrgnSlyr]

I would have said "Bugs Fear Me" Great job.

[@LowVisionUKTerrysView]

awesome job - the engraving looked great on the knife

[@johntaylor2831]

Ben, nice video. Have the same laser and set up, but not the camera. Can you tell me where you got that and maybe supply a link. Thanks.

[@MyersWoodshop]

www.myerswoodshop.com/blog/lightburncamera

[@brittond14]

I have a K40 and want to try this.

[@MyersWoodshop]

it should work!

[@funone8716]

No Gold pocket WATCH ??

[@MyersWoodshop]

we do knifes in arkansas.

[@mountainviewturning5319]

Very cool laser 👍

[@MyersWoodshop]

yes! I love it!

[@HeartlandMakesAndOutdoors]

Great Job on the video. Thanks for sharing Dale

[@MyersWoodshop]

hope it helped dale!

[@cordite_semtex]

How deep does this engrave? At least .003?

[@joesmith7123]

I just want to laser engrave or etch some titanium . I’m wanting to try it at home as a hobby. Any suggestions for a good easy to use machine? I’m not a tech guy and I have some good cash I can spend . Any help would be appreaciated and or laser cutting too but I’m more interested in etching/engraving

[@kennethfails3593]

The only type of laser that can do that reliability and easily is a fiber laser. A co2 or diode will not provide decent results. I hope to have one some time this year.

[@oneheadlight8000]

Can you engrave colored metal without a coating? Like black anodized aluminum?

[@MyersWoodshop]

yes! you'd be removing the anodization by the laser.

[@svsv9]

This is great!

[@MyersWoodshop]

thanks!

[@TKommandant]

How did that work with the Camera ? Can you use a Webcam for that ?

[@MyersWoodshop]

you need the lightburn camera.

[@jorgetorres4965]

Where can buy the camera?

[@ccreutzig]

lightburnsoftware.com/, but they say you can use any USB camera. Depending on the size of your bed, 5MP or 8MP is the recommended minimum resolution.

[@Gmtail]

For something like lube, or aggressive cleaning spray on some Carb Cleaner and it will clean immediately. Moot point because it didn’t work but just a cleaning tip. 👍.

[@MyersWoodshop]

Great tip!

[@ThatSocratesguy]

@@MyersWoodshop Hey I have a question, how long do you think 1 spraycan lasts? So say you wanted to engrave exactly what you did (same design, same knife size), how many knifes could you engrave before you run out of spray??

[@jorgetorres4965]

Where can buy your camera ?

[@MyersWoodshop]

www.lightburn.com

[@Q5Grafx]

as crazy as it sounds you can engrave on any stainless steel by coating it in mustard

[@MyersWoodshop]

I'll have to give that a try!

[@benhcine]

I cant find laser ink ! Can I use ather type of ink?

[@MyersWoodshop]

maybe

[@KingAndrew5000]

the actual laser cutting starts just after 10:00

[@MyersWoodshop]

Yep

[@JC-XL]

And then play the video at 2x from then on

[@dasfreakster]

Where did you get knife blanks?

[@MyersWoodshop]

i've had this one for years. I have no clue.

[@henryhartsfield4574]

Do you have a rotary axis yet?

[@MyersWoodshop]

Yes! Check out my video i did on it!

[@bradynields9783]

Can a CO2 laser engrave soft pliable metal or cut through something like tinfoil?

[@MyersWoodshop]

nope. you need a fiber laser.

[@bradynields9783]

@@MyersWoodshop Thanks for the tip!

[@RokyR2011]

It can do stainless steel. At least my 130w co2 can do it up to 0.7 mm at 75% power, that's all I tried so far. Other metals nope. But it's slow and not economical. Also you need a ton of air assist. Pure oxygen would be ideal.

[@bradynields9783]

@@RokyR2011 What would an ideal set up cost you if you went all out for quality over quantity?

[@RokyR2011]

@@bradynields9783 There is no correct answer to your question. Laser machines are from 300$ up to a few millions $. Sky is the limit here. If we are talking about cheap budget friendly fiber laser we are talking between 20.000 and 100.000$. So it all depends on your wallet and your goals.

[@johnstratairious7936]

did your camera come with the laser engraver or did u install it.

[@MyersWoodshop]

installed it, check my other videos for the lightburn camera video.

[@pocketman5510]

Thought Id need a fiber laser to do this? Sorry im new to this

[@MyersWoodshop]

fiber will actually cut INTO the metal, the spray is a chemical reaction.

[@svsv9]

In this video, I have seen like 5 glowforge machine ads, showing amateur ends ideas like if they were something you can make money. Here or facebook will be the same(this annoy ads about glowforge machine expensive useless) when I just need info about what Co2 laser to photo engrave at really good quality.

[@MyersWoodshop]

glowforge loves to put their ads on my videos.

[@svsv9]

@@MyersWoodshop I really hope youtube compensate what are you doing helping hundreds. Thank you.

[@luishuerta1378]

could this work with an omtech 40w CO2 laser cutter from omtech? I got the marking spray and tried different speed and power settings on a piece of stainless steel but none of my attempts worked :/ if anyone knows pls help, thank you.

[@funone8716]

Pocket knife?? Well, so much for the Gold pocket WATCH then.

[@MyersWoodshop]

We country down here 😉

[@robfv1508]

Why not take 30 seconds and mask off, now you've got two contaminated surfaces? Also, I didn't see you clean the blade before spraying. It looks like a new blade, so you've probably got a protective wax on there which will stop the spray from coming into contact with the metal

[@المنوعاتوالترفيه-م2ق]

Cnc your 40w ?

[@MyersWoodshop]

what?

[@nigelconroy3944]

Just want to say I like your videos but I don't agree with your statement at the end when you say that pretty much proves the Dry Moly isn't worth it. I've done plenty of good quality engraving using the dry moly and as stated in other comments you need to do more extensive parameter testing before you can make a statement like that.

[@MyersWoodshop]

dry molly lube created unsellable results for me.

[@ronbutler2322]

@@MyersWoodshop Is that based on this test or did you do additional testing as described by others?

[@OnePotMeals]

The endura is really cool. That is one of the worst logos ever though

[@MyersWoodshop]

i like it.

[@parker1ray]

Use solvent!

[@chefcosta]

What kind of woodshop doesn’t know the parts of a pocket knife? I’m not sure I’ve ever seen anyone confuse the scales for the hilt

[@MyersWoodshop]

i never use a pocket knife. I don't carry one on me ever.

[@smartem3647]

Please check our latest model EM-Smart 20W fiber with 10.0Kgs only

[@MyersWoodshop]

send me one to review and do a video!

[@OKTERRIFIC98]

Spraying rubbing alcohol on it after laser marking it makes the dry lube drip right off. Your doing unnecessary work scrupping. Spray with alcohol then wipe away easily

[@MyersWoodshop]

thanks for the tip!

[@JoeyDadawg]

FYI soap goes a long way. Just saying

[@benyoumans9072]

Not a good test. Too much overspray

[@MyersWoodshop]

what does overspray have to do with it.?

[@kouderuivy]

@@MyersWoodshop you mixed the two products together. It has everything to do with a proper test.

[@stephentrenta3514]

Poor Chris, gives decades of his life to a company and all he gets is a crappy pocket knife with some hastily made and poorly aligned engravings on it... lol

[@MyersWoodshop]

So goes corporate america

[@stephentrenta3514]

Don’t get me wrong, the video is very informative about using the coating. Just could’ve used a bit more time and finesse on the actual engravings imo

[@lennym1273]

So it's not really engraving more like printing...

[@MyersWoodshop]

kinda. chemically bonding.

[@المنوعاتوالترفيه-م2ق]

Cnc your 40w ?

[@MyersWoodshop]

what?

[@chebhou]

Yes around that, he said it's marketed as 60 but probably it is less.