Engraving on Glasses with a Diode Laser

This is a little harder to do because of the hardness of the glass! This will require some experiments but it is a lot of FUN!
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[@PawPawsWorkShop]

Test, test, and test more. All glass is not the same. Picture frame glass is quite soft and requires one setting and glasses such as these are much harder. The final setting used 20ipm or 508mm/m and 40% power

[@tammympearce]

What wattage is your laser? I have an ortur 20w, 5500mW and I'm looking for the right speed and power to use.

[@krisknowlton5935]

I've used white spray paint and got good results with a 15 watt Ortur LaserMaster 2. The drawback is sometimes it is difficult to clean all the paint off and the fact that you have to use something like acetone to clean it. That being said, if you get your setting just right the titanium in the paint turns black and bonds to the glass. In order for that to happen the titanium has to reach a temperature in the neighborhood of 3,200°C. Enough to melt the glass and titanium so they bond together. But if you're looking for just the frosted look use tempra paint. It looks like it did real well for Paw Paw. Thanks for making this video. I learned something.

[@TheLouisianaHobbyGuy]

*Excellent Video Paw Paw!* If you're using an image file, try raising the DPI to lower the line interval. You'll get ride of the laser lines! I would love to stop in and visit with you one day when I get across the lake! Great channel!

[@PawPawsWorkShop]

You too sir have an excellent channel. You are a true expert on the Lightburn software

[@TheLouisianaHobbyGuy]

@@PawPawsWorkShop Thank you Sir! We're all learning as we go!

[@JohnWaclawski]

Thanks for the video, PawPaw! Like you said..it is easy. You've earned a new subscriber! Going back and reviewing your other videos!

[@PawPawsWorkShop]

Thank you very much. I’m glad that you found the videos helpful

[@mallorikerr4092]

I used ultra matte spray paint on mine. The etching is about as good as waiting 3 minutes for the etching cream to eat away the glass, minus the hazards of working with acid.

[@PawPawsWorkShop]

Thank you for your comments

[@mallorikerr4092]

You are welcome. You keep on crafting!

[@mikeszl118]

I have a sienci longmill. Wanting to get a laser. Which one do you suggest?

[@billhartman150]

I have found that after you apply the tempera and it has dried. Touch up the places of where the tempera did cover with CHEAP enamel spray paint. The spray paint will come off with the tempera paint. Be sure to cover the mouth of the glass before spraying.

[@PawPawsWorkShop]

Good idea. Thanks

[@kiethgould5213]

Hello, I like your video. I was wondering how the images hold up if you wash the glass in a dish washer or are they had wash only to keep the image looking nice. I am asking bc I have received some engraved glasses that when you put them in a dishwasher the entire image becomes clearer and harder to see.

[@PawPawsWorkShop]

This cuts into the glass. So it is permanent. When you wet the glass, the water fills in the engraving and disappears and when it dries the image will return

[@asherbenaderet2327]

Did you try transfer tape? I use with my Eplog 100s 100p and 1000DPI

[@paulcumber4732]

that is cool to do happy thanksgiving

[@PawPawsWorkShop]

Thank you, Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family

[@joemartinez5673]

What do you use to clean the paint off??

[@PawPawsWorkShop]

Tempera paint is water based. Just run the glass under the running faucet and lightly rub. That’s it

[@joemartinez5673]

@@PawPawsWorkShop Thank you! Your videos have helped tremendously with my xcarve. Keep up the great work!

[@danbemowski3014]

I am wondering how thick you put the tempera pain on. I am trying to prep a glass for engraving, but when I brush on the tempera paint I can see light through. If I leave that layer dry and try to apply more, the nw layer of paint jus wipes the first layer off a bit. The second layer does get a bit thicker, but wondering at what point do I stop and call it good enough to engrave?

[@PawPawsWorkShop]

I usually do just one coat. Occasionally two coats if there are streaks in the paint. You need an even coat that covers. If there are just a few slight brush marks. That’s ok

[@danbemowski3014]

@@PawPawsWorkShop Thank you for the quick reply. I am going to be trying a lowball glass tomorrow and wanted to make sure I had the coats right. I have seen people use airbrushes to coat the glass, but I don't have one at the moment. One other method I would like to try that I have heard people talk about is spraying the glass with cold galvanizing compound, but cleanup seems like it takes a bit more. That will be for another day though.

[@marcoss6212]

Hey Paw Paw, nice video and well done. One detail that got me thinking a little bit, did you say settings were 20 inches per minute and 60% power? What's the laser output power? 5.5 watts?

[@PawPawsWorkShop]

Yes and yes.

[@marcoss6212]

@@PawPawsWorkShop I'm new to lasers, I was used to hear mm not inches, lol.

[@ericeinsmann5559]

Awesome video! Question... When hooking up the rotary tool, you plugged it in to the Y2 cable and unplugged the Y1 motor.. Is it important to use Y2? Or would Y1 work as well (provided you unplug the other Y motor). I am looking at getting the Sainsmart Proverxl 4030 and the Xtool RA2 rotery tool. Thanks!

[@PawPawsWorkShop]

On the xTool D1 you have a port on the board to plug in the rotary. There you will use the z axis to control the rotary. I used the y axis to show that it can be done and on most any other machine you will not have a choice. The y axis is the only option. If you have two stepper motors on the y axis you must unplug one and connect to the y axis cable.

[@jamesm5392]

I dont know If I would drink from a glass with Papa Nurgles symbol on it 🤣

[@PawPawsWorkShop]

lol, after a few, it really does not matter

[@harryragland7840]

I did some diode laser work over the weekend. I have the Nextwave Moray which is enclosed and covered with a red plastic cover. I still wear red glasses when I'm checking up on the progress. I don't think there's any chance to add a rotary access to my Moray. I am eager to try some etching with the laser. We have done the oramask vinyl and the glass etching cream. This works pretty well, but we cut the mask with a Cricut.

[@danbemowski3014]

What controller does your laser use? In many cases it's just a matter of swapping the Y axis stepper over to the rotary stepper.

[@harryragland7840]

@@danbemowski3014 The brains of the Moray is a Raspberry Pi zero running NextWave proprietary software. This drives a NextWave motion control board that is standard through their CNC products. NextWave does sell a rotary axis for their CNCs and that would probably be compatible with the motion board. I would have to do as you say and disconnect the Y axis and have it drive the rotary axis instead. I'm not sure if the cost would justify the few times I would like to use it. Over on my CNC, I do have a rotary axis, but my CNC is not equipped with a laser.

[@duaneheda3236]

I followed your guidelines on glass tumbler only you can JUST barely see the engraving. I have a YoraHome 6550 with a 15watt diode laser. My settings were 15 on the speed and 60% power. I used some acrylic black paint as I did not have the type you used. Would you increase the power or decrease the speed, or both?

[@PawPawsWorkShop]

Yes, on both. It takes lots of experiments. Different glass will engrave differently. Lasers are different. There are so many variables. This gives you a starting point.

[@duaneheda3236]

@@PawPawsWorkShop Thank you!! i will try more settings in the morning. I like your videos so much I signed up on Patreon yesterday!

[@PawPawsWorkShop]

Thank you very very much. I really appreciate it.

[@justarandomname420]

Robot Girlyman would be proud. For the Emperor!

[@PawPawsWorkShop]

Cool, thanks

[@jimdrennan_signsonthetyne]

Great video

[@PawPawsWorkShop]

Thank you very much

[@SerenaHaga]

Hey Paw Paw, I appreciate your videos as I learn how to use my laser. My question is, can I use white tempera paint on glass instead of black? If you answered that question already, I apologize, I must have missed it. Thank you!

[@PawPawsWorkShop]

I have not tried white, however, the laser should be able to focus on it. Any darker color would most likely due better. The white may have a tendency to reflect the laser which would affect the engraving

[@SerenaHaga]

Thank you. I’ll stick with black. I have noticed the Mr. Clean erase works well to pull off the black that lingers after the etching.

[@PawPawsWorkShop]

Mr. Clean will work well. Great point

[@Kurutzkraft]

Why do you paint them

[@sams-pg7hj]

because diode lasers will go through glass and just diffract without engraving. The paint is a surface that absorbs the laser to heat up the glass to engrave/etch it

[@morrismurray3621]

What was the details of the paint you used please.

[@PawPawsWorkShop]

On glass I use inexpensive tempera paint.

[@bobmarinoff6514]

try using a paint that is cold "Zinc" coating

[@PawPawsWorkShop]

Yes, that will work

[@tjcullen2366]

Will this work on Borosilicate glass?

[@PawPawsWorkShop]

Just answered you question

[@karlriley1314]

Do always gave to paint the glass b4 you engrave??

[@krisknowlton5935]

Yes you do because glass is transparent to 450 nm lasers. The laser beam heats the paint up quickly causing the glass to fracture.

[@karlriley1314]

@@krisknowlton5935 Thanks

[@asherbenaderet2327]

@@krisknowlton5935 Because you go way to slow

[@krisknowlton5935]

@@asherbenaderet2327 l don't know if you mean I move too slow because you have seen me move or I'm moving the laser head too slow.

[@ohske]

👍👍👍👌

[@PawPawsWorkShop]

Thanks

[@beansandwiched]

I saw this one video where a guy simply put a papertowel in the cup and it worked for him.