How to Design and Make a Slate Coaster with Your Glowforge (Tutorial)

[@alanferrell9406]

Thanks for making this video. I have been experimenting on slate with my Glowforge (followed you here from the forum post you just did on signatures). It looks like I've been missing both the oiling and the color invert steps. Can't wait to see how my slate comes out with those additions! Thanks!

[@FrickinLaserDesignsTutorials]

Thank you for checking in. I hope your project comes out exactly the way you want.

[@greater378]

Questions. Do you create for others or for yourself only? I don't own a laser cutter however I have a project I'm working on that is best suited for the Glowforge

[@FrickinLaserDesignsTutorials]

louis williams if I have the time I sometimes take on side projects. Right now, I'm short on time. What kind of project are you undertaking?

[@MakingwithMarilyn]

Thanks for the video!

[@FrickinLaserDesignsTutorials]

Thanks for watching!

[@FutureLaugh]

can the glowforge do rubberstamps??

[@FrickinLaserDesignsTutorials]

FutureLaugh, yes. The important thing is getting laser-safe rubber. Here is a post detailing someone's experience. I've not tried my hands at it. Maybe in a future tutorial. community.glowforge.com/t/cork-coasters-and-rubber-stamps/19370

[@rowanenyeart6373]

would this work for engraving a chocolate bar? asking for a friend.

[@FrickinLaserDesignsTutorials]

To be honest, I do not know. I would assume it would to a degree but you would need to experiment with speed and power (and it would probably depend on the photo). I've not done anything with food but there are plenty of people of the Glowforge forums (official) that could help. Thank you for stopping by.

[@TheHelicapt]

Is it possible to get grey scale from the glowforge ? I’m tossed between this one or the muse

[@alanferrell9406]

Yes. Look at this post on the GF forum to see what gradient gray can do in 3D mode. community.glowforge.com/t/comparing-3d-engrave-vs-manual-greyscale-vary-power-on-draftboard/16754

[@FrickinLaserDesignsTutorials]

You can certainly etch from dark to light, depending on your settings and the materials used. In the case of slate, one will be limited in what presents itself. On other materials, like wood, things work fine. When one is etching, one can choose different ways to represent greyscale, using "vary power," "convert to dots," and "convert to patterns." With respect to the Muse, if the product works as intended, it looks like a great and one that I might have picked over the Glowforge due to it's expanded capabilities (e.g., ethernet, USB, not cloud dependent, fully developed software, rotary attachment, and can accept more file types). It has had a lot of problems though, at least as I understand it. See here for a discussion: community.glowforge.com/t/and-heres-the-muse/18457/38 With that said, the Glowforge community is stellar and is a major reason I am passionate about it. The CEO is also very active on the forums. The firsthand support should factor into a potential purpose because it demonstrates commitment. Good luck in your creative endeavors and eventual purchase!

[@filmphoto]

When you put the paper under the slate to "catch the laser" - what problem are you fixing?

[@FrickinLaserDesignsTutorials]

I'm probably not fixing any problem. At the time I was not sure if the laser hitting the metal at the bottom of the GF could reflect back and cause damage to the optics. I also wanted to keep the bottom of the GF clean and was not sure if the laser would leave marks if it hit the bottom.

[@danielobatalla]

was it a 40 or 45 watt?

[@FrickinLaserDesignsTutorials]

This was on a 45 watt Pro.

[@danielobatalla]

Thanks i Just saw the pass through slot, thanks really helpful tutorial.

[@sinclairal]

I can literally etch that image in 1 minute with my machine. This is hilarious.

[@Memphismom123]

What machine do you have?

[@peabodyrabbit6751]

You've been awarded 100 cool story bro's.

[@Geminiced]

The finished product looks terrible, my Chinese laser finished engraving makes this look like trash, and the time holy shit!