Titanium Dioxide tile update using a Twotrees laser with 10 watt output. TIO2

[@capgunslim1894]

I wanted to add something to this video. It's a very well done. I just wanted to let people know, since the bottle just says "Alcohol" on it, and in the video you weren't specific with the type of alcohol you were using. The first bottle I made, I used "Isopropyl" Alcohol. I never got around to trying this out on the tiles, but I've noticed, Isopropyl alcohol, after you mix it with the Titanium Dioxide, when you let it sit, it separates. SO it's De-Natured alcohol you want to use for this Ti02 mix. Since I've made a new batch with the De-natured Alcohol, after mixing, it STAYS mixed. So just a heads up for the people who want to do this. Maybe Jake will share which type of De-Natured Alcohol he uses. There are several. Fuel type, Mineral Spirits, and Paint Thinners. I think they are all pretty much the same, but I don't know for sure. I used the De-Natured Fuel Alcohol, but it's more expensive. If Mineral Spirits works just the same, I'm going with that for the next batch, because it's WAY cheaper that the De-Nature Fuel type.

[@JakeHellbach]

I thought I said, maybe didn't but it's just a store brand of 70% isopropyl. Yes, it does seperate after a while. But as I said I just shake it up while I'm spraying. I really don't see a need to get a more expensive type of alcohol.

[@capgunslim1894]

@@JakeHellbach Cool! I had no idea. I think the one I used first, is 100% Isopropyl. I DIDN'T throw the Isopropyl mix out BTW. So, I'll use both, and see which one I like better. I'm using your mix of 2 Tablespoons per 100Ml. BTW

[@JakeHellbach]

@@capgunslim1894 cool! let me know how it works. there has to be more than one way to mix this stuff and work.

[@tomcollick8111]

Try this recipe 1 part water: 1 part Alcohol 99%: 1 part glue: 2 parts titanium Dioxide. This makes a consistency that does not flake and does not create alot of dust when lasering. I found this better than the recipe shown here.

[@JakeHellbach]

Tried the glue. Was a mess. This works for me so I’ll stick with it. But whatever works for you stick with that.

[@tomcollick8111]

@@JakeHellbach NO issues. I found this and it covers in 1 thin layer and does not pull back from the tile like the straight water recipe. Happy New Year!

[@bottlepro3252]

Very helpful, thank you. Just bought some titanium dioxide from the link to try out later this week!

[@JakeHellbach]

Hope you like it! Let me know how it works for you and if you do anything different to get better results.

[@Beecher_Dikov]

I use a50/50 mix. Half a cup at a time. Works great.

[@JakeHellbach]

That's why I say, this isn't an exact science. Just mix enough to coat the tile. Doesn't matter what the ratio is.

[@Beecher_Dikov]

@@JakeHellbach do you find coating thickness to matter? I spray twice side to side and twice up and down and that's it. I get a relatively smooth coating although there is some orange peeling but it doesn't seem to matter. I tried spray paint and mixing TI2 with school glue and water. Got mottled gray results.

[@JakeHellbach]

@@Beecher_Dikov I do the same in coats. 2 quick passes in both directions. I haven’t had any orange peel problems but I did find a thicker coating to be a problem. I also tried the glue and tio2. That was a fail. Clumping and way too thick of a coat. I almost gave up on using the tio2 until I started mixing with alcohol.

[@jimginnyohio]

Looks great!

[@JakeHellbach]

Thank you! I really love using this stuff

[@kk5fe]

Looks amazing! Great job!

[@JakeHellbach]

Thanks bro!

[@andreaboertje3339]

Thank you!

[@JakeHellbach]

You're welcome!

[@Twotrees3Dofficial]

Nice job keep up the good work

[@JakeHellbach]

Thank you!

[@lyndonp6296]

Very good video, thanks. Would this work on ant other materials or just ceramics do you think ??

[@JakeHellbach]

Hi, I haven’t used it with anything else. But I think it will work on glass. I’m going to experiment with that.

[@scorpianspirit5124]

Great information on your videos Jake. I will be using this method myself.This seems like a no brainer to me as opposed to using paint which is a real pain for clean up. I do have a question about the tiles, have you used unglazed tiles vs the glazed tiles and do you have an opinion on that subject. I'm brand new to laser engraving so I have no experience with engraving on ceramic tiles, but am looking forward to trying them out. Cheers and all the best from Utah. ;-) Thumbs up on the vids !

[@JakeHellbach]

Glad it was helpful! I haven't tried unglazed tiles only because I asked the same question on some of the forums and it seems this technique works because it's glazed. But also, I can find glazed tiles easy and cheap. Not sure about unglazed tiles. When I started using paint and cleaning them with acetone, it was a real pain. This is so simple and cleans with water? Man, I was all in.

[@wolfy1beer]

Hi Jake. Is that heaped, or level tablespoons of TI02. I'm thnking heaped would be approx equivalent to 4 level as the powder is really fine & binds together. Maybe not critical but... 🙂 Thanks Bob

[@JakeHellbach]

Hi Bob, Because of the huge amount of questions I have gotten on this subject, that was the reason for this updated video and to give my exact measurements. I used level tablespoons. Heaping wouldn't as you said be a tablespoon. As I've said in the past, this isn't supposed to be an exact science. From my tests as long as you have a complete coat of Tio2 on the tile, it will work. Are you having a problem using this technique?

[@wolfy1beer]

@@JakeHellbach Hi Jake. Thanks for replying. I have been using the TI02 and isopropyl alcohol method for a while, mainly on white coffee mugs to be honest. No problems as such, just always interested in what methods/mixes others are using. I’ve not actually ever tried a precise mix so wanted to give yours a try :-) I will give it a go once Christmas etc is over & i’m allowed to go back in the shop 🙄 Thanks again for the reply & I wish you & yours a happy new year. Bob

[@JakeHellbach]

You know, I've never did this on coffee mugs. I guess you have some sort of rotary module? I need to get that. Have a very happy new year and get back in that shop soon!!!

[@barneyrebel0123]

I noticed, you don't use a tent or any see any smoke coming off of the tiles. I haven't done tiles yet. Is there a fan around that I can't see, or does it just make a clean burn and that's it? Also, what kind of white tiles are you using? Just some from Home Depot or Lowe's, like shower tiles, but smooth? Thank you, I'm just very detail oriented.

[@JakeHellbach]

I’m in my garage with the door open for ventilation. But to answer, burning tiles doesn’t produce any fumes or smoke. Yes, I’m using regular 4X4 white ceramic tiles like you would put on your bathroom wall. I get them from floors and decor in a 80 title box at about 11 cents each. Much cheaper than home depot or Lowe’s.

[@barneyrebel0123]

@@JakeHellbach Thank you for getting back to me Jake! I think we have a place like that here. If not, I can always find them out on the internet somewhere and have them shipped. The burns look VERY clean!

[@ainttakenanyshit]

Well, with getting 100 4x4 inch tiles at HD for only 16 bucks, can't go too far wrong.... 50 6x6 is still a bargain at about 19 dollars....

[@jimginnyohio]

Do you recall where you picked up that spray bottle? Those that I've tried don't produce a fine mist and the mixture comes out inconsistently. Thank you!

[@JakeHellbach]

Hi, I’ll have to get the name of it. The bottle was from a bathroom air freshener my wife bought, it shoots a really fine mist. I’ll post it when I find the name.

[@CarkeekW]

im a bit late to the party but hairdressers spray bottles produce that fine mist

[@clivecouter]

Im not getting good results, engraving isnt smoothe, or esp dark granular with lines, and some of what looks engraved comes off in wash.. ordered a mist spray bottle today, perhaps its the bottle.. get good results on my settings with paint, thought maybe my titanium isnt fine enough, but maybe they're all same and not that, soo envious of the ease you do it with, will keep trying, must be something im using or doing different 😢

[@JakeHellbach]

I wasn’t getting good results until I hit on this fine mist bottle. If the engraved lines are coming off you may have the coats of tio2 to thick. I had that problem too. You really don’t need much. Which may be back to the spray bottle or dilution of tio2 and alcohol.

[@clivecouter]

Thanks, await my new spray bottle, and will let you know, thanks for quick reply!

[@clivecouter]

​@@JakeHellbach tried with 2 to 1 isopropanol to titanium and while awaiting my mister tried with sponge brush, much better, think I did have solution too thick, only done material test so far, but more promising, although going to try out cold galvanizing spray as well see how that goes..

[@CNCATHome]

Looking good! 100 ml : 2 Tbsp is just over 3:1 ratio. 2 Tbsp is 29.5735 ml so about 10:3 ratio. Thank you for sharing your mixture. I just kind of eyeball it and it always seems to work. Do you have much issue with the spray bottle clogging up or the suspension in the pickup tube thinning out when it sits? I have started using an airbrush and the coverage is very nice.

[@JakeHellbach]

Thanks ! I never actually measured the ratio the first time I mixed it either. It just worked by guessing so I never bothered. But that was the most asked question so I made this second video and used my darkroom beakers to get an accurate measurement. 😀 That bathroom air freshener sprayer really works great. I never had it clog but I do wipe the nozzle after a couple tiles. I also rinse it with water after I’m finished. I keep thinking of using an airbrush and may try it for this and my other prop making projects I need to weather and paint.

[@JakeHellbach]

As to the suspension, I shake it every time I pick it up to spray. It hasn’t seemed to thin or maybe I didn’t notice it. But I do give it a couple of squirts away from the tile first just to make sure it’s spraying correctly.

[@CNCATHome]

@@JakeHellbach - This process seems very bulletproof so the ratio isn't too critical. Thinner is better for the airbrush. I found that the tip will clock quickly if you continuously spray. Doing 1 tile at a time with pauses as the end of each sweep seems to work ok. Good results on the coverage too. I would think an airbrush would work great for weathering stuff. I want to see if I can get my daughter to play around with it for cake decorating.

[@JakeHellbach]

Yes! cake decorating would be awesome with an airbrush. And I totally agree, the process seems bulletproof, if you have enough of the TI02 in the alcohol solution to coat the tile, it will work.

[@l0I0I0I0]

Nice! What's the part number of that etching machine?

[@JakeHellbach]

Twotrees TTS-55 but I upgraded to the 10 watt head.

[@l0I0I0I0]

@@JakeHellbach Nice, Ty!

[@mattryhal8104]

Have you had puddles where it dried unevenly?

[@JakeHellbach]

No, never had anything like that.

[@cheekyoscar1353]

I have a question , like a lot of the people on the Internet you say the speed of 2100 and the power 60% 60% of ? We don't know the optical output power of your laser !!!!!  so the 60% doesn't really mean anything ... 60% of a 5w laser 60% of a 40w laser 60% of a 80w laser please advise .. thanks 😊 

[@JakeHellbach]

Wait, did you copy and paste this from the facebook group? It's literally in the description. A simply question would have been better than typing all of that. But to make it easier, I edited the title and added it so it's at the top now :)

[@cheekyoscar1353]

@@JakeHellbach Originally i replied to the Facebook one first then I realised that maybe you wouldn't of got the message ,so then I copied and paste it directly to your KZbin channel .. if I can find it back on the Facebook & will now delete it.. I don't do simple ,lol , I don't consider my original question to be that long .. however I do appreciate you updating your post .... good job 👍

[@JakeHellbach]

Thanks, sorry it wasn't in the video as well.

[@markgreer6585]

Jack: I've tried a few spray bottles, but haven't had very good results. Clumping, plugging and blotchy. How far from the bottom of the bottle is your intake tube? And, the spray bottle picture you shared??? Is that just a random re-use bottle or did you experiment leading to his particular sprayer working so well for you? Thanks!

[@JakeHellbach]

That bottle seems to be the most asked question. It's not a reuse bottle Or its not supposed to be because it was bought for a bathroom air freshener. The tube runs to the very bottom of the bottle. I did to tests with other reuse spray bottles and got some big drops from them. This bottle since its made to spray a fine mist for its air freshener just worked exactly as I needed. The only time I have had clumping or anything like that is when the Tio2 gets stuck around the nozzle. Then I just clean it off with water. I also clean out the entire sprayer after I use it for a batch of tiles. I just found it's sold on Amazon. Here is the link. a.co/d/g4x2R2W

[@markgreer6585]

@@JakeHellbach Thanks Jake. By reuse I meant re-purposed. I'm going to give this Air Wick pump a try. I really appreciate the info you've shared. Best wishes.

[@andreaboertje3339]

awsome will it work with the xtool F1

[@JakeHellbach]

Yes, should work with any laser. You just have to figure out settings based on the power of yours.

[@danielbojanski4243]

What 00speed would I use with a 40W diode laser? :( Amazing Video!! :)

[@JakeHellbach]

No telling, you would have to do a speed/ power test to find the correct settings for your machine. Thank you!

[@danielbojanski4243]

@@JakeHellbach fair enough. Mixing titanium dioxide as we speak!!;))

[@JakeHellbach]

@@danielbojanski4243 cool! Interested in knowing what settings you end up with.

[@dbomber69]

Using a blue(450nm) light laser leaves a black engraving that is rough. Using a NIR(1064nm) laser at 100% power, a slow speed and multiple passes leaves a titanium colored engraving that comes out smooth. And I just sucessfully ran a test using cooking spray on the tile to hold a dusting of TiO2. No more water or alcohol for me. And wasting TiO2 on overspray.

[@JakeHellbach]

Glad that worked for you