Secrets Revealed: How to Laser Engrave Dog Tags Like a Pro! (or any Stainless Steel for that matter)

[@Jonathan-pg4hk]

What do you use to get a clear coat shine to them?

[@mcdonoughdesign]

Hi mate. That's just the way the blank stock is. I don't add any clear coat. I just buff them a little once they're done 👍🏻

[@K6Agency]

Love the video and the final result. What would you recommend to engrave iron dog medals in terms of machine or process as a most affordable option?

[@mcdonoughdesign]

Hi there - thanks for the question...unfortunately I have never lasered onto iron before. It is not a particular material that I have seen much use for in Co2 laser cutting. So any advice I would give would be a complete guess I'm afraid. I have seen other people have some success using fibre laser machines on ferrous metals but it is not something I have any experience with myself, nor have I seen much Co2 laser engraving on ferrous metals - I am sure someone out there has tried though...

[@AtarahWeb]

Good video, could you recommend a cheap laser engraver to use exclusively for engraving this type of tags please?

[@mcdonoughdesign]

@AtarahWeb Unfortunately I haven't used many other lasers. If you are looking to engrave only and do no imagery, a cheap 50w - 100w Co2 laser would do the trick. I would look for a laser that had a control panel that could at least run "Lightburn" software. Standalone machine programs can be a pain.

[@AtarahWeb]

@@mcdonoughdesign Thank you for your time

[@DrySparks]

i have a question, i have a round dog tag, how do i make sure the tag is straight? is there any method to do it or i just have to trust my feelings? thanks

[@mcdonoughdesign]

I have a circle silhouette template I use for those that has another little circle engraved in it to show where the keyring goes. I just line up the hole in the key tag with the circle engraved on the template. Hope that makes sense.

[@pennypontillo3051]

What laser watt & what material

[@mcdonoughdesign]

That particular laser is an Epilog Helix 24 x 18 - 50Watt Co2 Laser. Material is stainless steel. Spray is "Laserbond"- www.lasersupplies.com.au/product/laserbond-100-all-purpose-aerosol-spray/

[@heartfelt-journeys]

Which machine do you use? That video is really helpful!

[@mcdonoughdesign]

That particular laser is an Epilog Helix 24 x 18 - 50Watt Co2 Laser. They are very expensive but a bit overkill for something like these tags. Most cheaper Co2 Lasers will do just as good of a job when it comes to this kind of process. I only have the Epilog as its image-lasering capabilities are unrivaled in my opinion. Glad you liked the video :)

[@musc258]

Where do you buy tags?

[@mcdonoughdesign]

I import them. I have a heap of discountinued stock if you are interested 😄

[@GokouZWAR]

I’ve never had to spray my tags to use the laser on them. Have you tried it without the spray? It seems like a lot of unnecessary danger with the spray step…

[@mcdonoughdesign]

You must have a fiber laser? It's impossible to mark stainless steel on my Co2 laser without the marking spray.

[@eventhiremk]

an IR laser will do thiis easy without the spray @@mcdonoughdesign

[@PetsZKcr]

Price machine

[@mcdonoughdesign]

They vary from country to country. The model I have is an Epilog Helix 50W 24" x 18" if you wanted to look them up.