CNC-Engraved Aluminum Nameplates

You asked for it! Switching away from my previous acid-etching technique, I'm now engraving my custom nameplates robotically!
PATREON EXCLUSIVES
If you'd like to help support my channel and get access to exclusive content, visit / wesleytreat .
GET YOUR VERY OWN X-CARVE!
Use the link www.inventables.com/?ref=wtreat for your purchase and help me to keep making videos!
10% OFF STARBOND ADHESIVE PRODUCTS
Follow this link and enter "wesleytreat" at checkout:
www.starbond.com?rfsn=2605438.c70b44
NAMEPLATE GIVEAWAY
Winners have been chosen and notified. Thank you for participating!
OFFICIAL WEBSITE
▶ wesleytreat.com
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT
▶ Merch: www.wesleytreat.com/shop
▶ Photography: satelluxestudio.etsy.com
▶ Favorite Tools: amazon.com/shop/wesleytreat
FOLLOW ME
▶ Instagram: / wesley_treat
▶ Twitter: / wesleytreat
TOOLS FEATURED IN THIS VIDEO
▶ Inventables X-Carve: www.inventables.com/technolog...
▶ DeWalt 20V Max Drill & Driver Kit: amzn.to/2hLB64q
▶ Lacquer-Stik Black Fill-In Paint Marker: amzn.to/2IHjZCn
▶ 4-Inch Cotton Buffing Wheel: amzn.to/30pCbGb
▶ Pittsburgh 3/8" Letter/Number Stamping Set: amzn.to/2ikplCi
(More information down below.)
CNC DETAILS (UPDATED)
This is the updated procedure I follow now, which has changed somewhat since I published this video. Note: Your results may vary. If you have questions, please leave them in the comments. However, please understand I can't provide a lot of troubleshooting or technical support.
I'm carving 5052 aluminum in this video. I've also tried 6061, which tends to carve a little better, but I have yet to eliminate all the burring.
1. Engrave the lettering. I occasionally try a new bit, and the one I currently recommend is listed below.
▶ Triangular 60-degree V-bit: amzn.to/3iJK6J5
▶ Total Carve Depth: .003"
▶ Depth per Pass: .005" (This is the max. DPP I recommend for this bit, whatever the job.)
▶ Feed Rate: 45 ipm
▶ Plunge Rate: 30 ipm
2. Finish the surface with a light pass of the medium grade flap wheel, then a pass with the very fine grade. Don't press down, but let the wheels do the work. Working it too much can make the engraving too shallow. The following are a little pricey, but have lasted me a very long time.
▶ Abrasive Nylon Flap Wheel, Medium Grade: www.mcmaster.com/46735A44
▶ Abrasive Nylon Flap Wheel, Very Fine Grade: www.mcmaster.com/46735a43
3. Apply the lacquer stick. Note: Although I didn't show it in the video, I also follow it up with a light coat of Rust-Oleum Stops Rust Satin Clear Enamel to protect the lacquer fill.
▶ Lacquer-Stik Black Fill-In Paint Marker: amzn.to/2IHjZCn
4. Carve the holes using the helical end mill listed below.
▶ Kodiak Solid Carbide Helical End Mill for Aluminum: amzn.to/2vZo1xL
▶ Hole Diameter: .145" (for 1/8" rivets)
▶ Total Carve Depth: .045" (on .040" aluminum to ensure cutting through)
▶ Depth per Pass: .01"
▶ Feed Rate: 15 ipm
▶ Plunge Rate: 15 ipm
▶ Add ramp to toolpath: Spiral (Vectric VCarve setting)
5. Cut the nameplate profiles using the same end mill as in step 3.
▶ Total Carve Depth: .045" (on .040" aluminum to ensure cutting through)
▶ Depth per Pass: .01"
▶ Feed Rate: 30 ipm
▶ Plunge Rate: 30 ipm
▶ Add ramp to toolpath: Smooth, Distance .5" (Vectric VCarve setting)
6. Sand the edges.
SEE ALSO
▶ Acid-Etched Nameplates: • Acid Etching Aluminum ...
▶ A Better, Stronger X-Carve: • A Better, Stronger X-C...
Note: I may earn a commission from certain product links.

[@jjo5917]

Perfect timing. This came up in my recommended list as I've been contemplating a CNC for guitar amp faceplates. Very nice. Thank you.

[@Tarquillentte]

Your videos have the distinct feature (what others may not have), that even though at first glance of the video title and thumbnail I'm not interested in the subject, I still find the video in itself very fascinating and well made - enjoyable, that is. Fantastic work, Wesley!

[@stefanpries638]

I like how you did this video. Quick demo and all the needed facts are neat and clean in the description. No hustle, no fuzz. 👍🏼

[@benildesilva5621]

0axaodiamo

[@benildesilva5621]

Amordamiavida

[@JayReidy]

Looking all over the internet for metallic labels. Now I can make them myself. Great video and thanks for the link.

[@TheWireEDM]

Cheap and easy option for the laquer stick is nail polish. Comes in variety of colors, is very cheap and has a little minibrush integrated to the bottle lid to dip it in to the valleys. After it dries in couple of minutes, wipe with a moist acetone cloth/paper all the excess and done. Holds up to machine coolants very well and it is easy to make clear signs with different colors in them :)

[@crimpers5543]

nail polish is one of the most expensive fluids out there.

[@chrishenning8829]

Im a CNC programmer/machinist. We normally use carbide 1mm ball nose endmills for engraving. Depth of only .005 - .010 thou. They cut clean using a bit of isopropyl alcohol on the surface.

[@zootallures7003]

"I" just use a center drill(laughs)

[@chrishenning8829]

I do that too for part numbers. Works fine. 🤘

[@InssiAjaton]

I have used originally ethyl alcohol for my cutting and drilling of aluminum, due to some hint and because in those days I did not have isopropyl alcohol available. Nowadays it is the other way round. I am not sure, but my feeling is that isopropyl alcohol evaporates faster, already before my first hole is done.

[@jkris2361]

At 2:08, I'm thinking "that is genius" because I just watched a video of you applying the lacquer stick by hand...at 2:21 I'm chuckling along with your new gained knowledge....your videos are awesome....Thank You!

[@maxximumb]

I want one of those nameplates so badly. I've followed the simple instructions in the video. Now to keep my fingers crossed. It's just a shame I'll never make it to the Maker Faire. It sounds like an awesome experience.

[@nvr4g3t]

Used this on a project. Worked great! Thanks!

[@boblewis5558]

Here's a cool tip for even nicer looking name tags that I first tried over 40 years ago, on an amplifier's front and rear panels, that look as good today as when originally made. Anodise and dye the tags, I like black, but any colour, including fading one to another then engrave through the anodising to expose the aluminium below. Looks great and no need to polish or lacquer fill afterwards.

[@Pavement-Prophets]

Awesome vid in the true spirt of shared information on KZbin. All power to you 👍🏻

[@boblewis5558]

Really nice job and useful technique for holding thin sheets. Must try that myself for panels and PCBs. Should massively improve the PCB flatness and give a much more consistent surface level! A technique I used around 40 years ago to do a front panel for an amplifier I made was to black anodise the aluminium after cutting out panel holes but BEFORE engraving and to engrave through the black anodising to the bare aluminium. It looks as good today as the day I made it! If you get a chance you should try it sometime. Basically it gives the negative of your version.

[@user-wr8go9ee2n]

Still fun to watch. Thanks for your time.

[@people16vt]

nice job , i didnt knew these kind of crayons , looks easy to color the engraves ! We can see still having rough edges , i would personally do the engraving then the brush you used , then a second carving pass to clear it up more , maybe a second brush pass . Thanks for sharing the infos !

[@AquaPeet]

Love it when you show something (like the bottle of glue) for a moment, and then whip it out of the shot :D

[@bgthemaker]

Nice plates! Lacquer stick is new for me. Good job

[@rafitaino3137]

One of the best vid. on cnc machine. Thank u for all the info down below

[@garagemonkeysan]

Great video. Thanks for sharing your process. Never heard of a lacquer stick before. Mahalo! : )

[@bruceabe3139]

always informative and always entertaining! keep on keepin' on!!!!

[@David-xu3yk]

Great video! Thats a clever idea about the foam too! I think I need one of these machines in my life!!!

[@richardoshields264]

You really do. It's a game changer I got mine last October almost already made the cost back just messing with it here and there. Check out inventables! They also finance through affirm.

[@TrustNotta]

I really have to get my Xcarve dialed in. Your videos give me some ambition. Lol

[@BronxWoodworking]

Thank you so much for the info! Huge help!

[@nutella3510]

This is an amazing tutorial and video, just subscribed!

[@right.howdoimakethat6519]

making me look forward to getting my shop space moved into the garage.

[@Red-yn9fv]

I run a multi cam router table every day. You should look into making a vacuum table to hold the metal down it works fairly well and you can always mill it flat when it gets to many mill marks in it. Also look into comic bits to do scribing projects

[@aRareKindOfMonster]

OK. I like this. And good tip on the diy welding clamps. Subscribed.

[@alamomonkey]

Love your videos, very inspiring!

[@vivekanand3938]

thank you for good n a proper information may God bless you

[@policedog4030]

Very good demo! Thanks - one observation: I recently noticed that on the aluminum nameplate of my 1952 Sears Craftsman table saw, they stamped the model number from the BACK side of the nameplate (using reversed or mirrored stamps?) anyway, it is different because when you look at the front of the nameplate, the model number appears with raised digits instead of sunken. Not sure why Sears did that and I'm not saying it is necessarily an improvement but I thought it interesting. They used 0.025 thick or 22 gauge for the nameplate.

[@DevendraYadav-qh2hx]

Nice work it's my recommended list I know about the machine how it's programming

[@aqib2000]

Excellent description

[@MakeBrooklyn]

Those look awesome .... I've got to order some lacquer sticks, I saw them for the first time just recently and I can think of dozens of ways to use them. Have fun at Maker Faire!!!

[@antielectric117]

Живописный мужичок.

[@MakeWithMiles]

Awesome project, see you at maker Faire!

[@Albert87nl]

i reaally need to get somthing like this made up! to remake some 80s/90s decals/bezels for my car!:O

[@peterpocock9062]

I love the foam mattress! Don't know why I didn't think of it myself, Duh!!!

[@DanielH]

Very good information found in this video

[@SenakaUdapitiya1]

good job ,thanks for the video

[@onlyychevys]

A V bit works great for engraving to, one pass and your done. Great video and thanks for sharing!

[@WesleyTreat]

I tried a couple of V-bits previously and ended up with a mess. They may work better on a different grade of aluminum, though. I plan to keep experimenting.

[@misterx426]

Wesley Treat where do you get your aluminum, and what kind is best?

[@Everythings_Adjustable]

Good looking plates 👍

[@rickshanteau3211]

Good Video.......Unless I missed it, it is very important to know the type of aluminum you should use. I always use 6061 aluminum, as it works great for machining. Google the various types of aluminum that are made and there uses.

[@Jer_Schmidt]

Cool to see how this thing I have was made! :-) Thanks!

[@welberrodrigues9900]

Lindo trabalho!

[@ericsaint-etienne1473]

Kudos for sharing useful infos

[@MikkoPaakkola]

4:40 I have found it a bit risky to tap on the number punches multiple times like that. There's a chance that the punch will bounce and move out of alignment between the hits.

[@user-ul9gf5vk4m]

идея с "два скотча и клей" это просто и гениально, как я сам не догадался ?!

[@Artnovetor]

Máquina muito potente parabéns 👏👏👏

[@Sketchian]

Ohhh so you can make the enamel pins base with a cnc router.. very interesting thanks

[@MakeTinkerShare]

Great video! See you tonight!

[@MisterCoryAlexander]

You're awesome. Keep that up.

[@beyarmurad7465]

Beautiful

[@calebburnett]

Nicely done. Saw it on IG and thought MFBA was your take on BAMF.

[@oskarmohar6073]

Yes, but CT is not the same as AGMBF becuse their version of AM is also the version XTX did for the BAMF, VVB is original of SDRT btw..

[@magicalempire]

very nice but I think it depends on the graphic, the alloy is or can be difficult with very fine work, engraving under 0.2 mm

[@chaddanylak8706]

a great tip for not damaging a tip

[@andriyn4911]

Good job! Subscribed!

[@izakk91]

Thank you

[@SeanKerns]

That is slick!

[@mythril4]

I have a CNC large vertical machining center I was going to try engraving on. I like the tape and glue idea.

[@SDNorm2]

You only need enough holding power so the part doesn't move you can also use double sided tape then a little acitone to get it off.

[@skiinggator]

Magnetic plates and vacuum plates also work well

[@mythril4]

@@skiinggator But man, a roll of tape is pretty cheap. However, your solution is best if you're going to produce a lot of parts. There would be no way to keep up production with a roll of tape.

[@Frooderick]

Yay! New vid! Sorry you couldn’t make Maker Faire down here. Maybe next year!

[@amundsen575]

great job as always- cnc needs a little more refinement as it should look perfect for the work that you do. its tough to get good looking font !

[@spocksvulcanbrain]

It should be easy to make a stamp jig to hold those punches in line when you use them. That way all the numbers will always line up correctly.

[@WesleyTreat]

Crooked gives it character.

[@Simsy5861]

Hi Wesley. Have you tried using a V bit like the 1541 60degree V bit from Whiteside. I find that it gives a nice clean cut without all the furry bits. I also just give a spray with some spray paint and leave it for a few minutes before wiping it off lightly, leaving the colour in the engraving. Works for me anyway. Cheers

[@user-lp1mp4pr4x]

Hi!Nice work!!!

[@bryanbortko2695]

Sweet video sir.

[@SharkyMoto]

you can do a bit more aggressive cuts on the xcarve! also try single flute endmills, they are great because they reduce the cutting forces and cut your rpms down - you didnt make chips, its all dust wich is bad for cutter life :)

[@WesleyTreat]

I tried more aggressive cuts with the tapered but and kept breaking tips. The helical bit produces good chips.

[@xilioxilione1478]

Good job 😁👍

[@SpatialGuy77]

I think you would get a cleaner crisper result with a square end bit - everyone seems to use a tapered ball bit for everything these days. Great bits, but there are others...horses for courses. Also, it will handle deeper cuts, it’s only 1mm, 2 passes with that bit would be ample.

[@sabakhan9140]

Awesome very nice

[@johnkraemer5505]

Very nice!

[@FamilyRoots]

Excellent 👍

[@pieebobeg]

You should get some 60degree chamfer mills, as stated by others, you will get cleaner cuts when working in alu.

[@WesleyTreat]

Tried it, but didn't get good results. Still experimenting.

[@strikebr]

I use bit 1 flute spiral 3 mm or 4 mm, cuts aluminum like butter, this cut on the video, it's made in 0ne pass.

[@wellton22]

Eu utilizo fresa flat e e óleo lubrificante. Não fica rebarbas e a gravação fica com ótima qualidade

[@Royalhareesh]

Nice video brother 👍👍👍

[@SoulOfMyShyu]

That CNC Machine: “Good-bye, Mr. Bond!!” Muahahaha!

[@arunkumar5710]

Incredible

[@d4a]

What exactly are these lacquer sticks and do they go by any other names? I tried searching ebay but couldn't find them.

[@WesleyTreat]

Link in the video description. 👍

[@d4a]

@@WesleyTreat Thank you. I always wonder why people never read the description when they ask me questions like this on my videos. And now I did the same thing. I did go through some of the comments to see if someone asked this already but why didn't I read the description..... Why.......why........ *camera slowly zooms out. A gunshot is heard echoing in the distance.

[@srryabturdaughter]

Wesley. Love the video I’m a complete noob looking to design something similar. I need guidance..

[@pareshprajapati7916]

Thank you 😊 sir 🇮🇳

[@phonotical]

That sound effect at the end is really familiar

[@Cluless02]

The edge cuts look to be a bit jaggedy at the machine - great video quality.

[@michaelh9667]

Mate make a small vacuum pad to hold that ally in place. Masking tape and glue is fine if you want to do one a day lol but vacuum pad you can change the ally out in seconds

[@WesleyTreat]

I'm not mass producing these. 🤷‍♂️

[@ytrichardsenior]

This is really great.. Thank you :) Can you tell us what the lacquer stick is please? What is it, and what are its properties? Does it wear well?

[@WesleyTreat]

Information in the video description.

[@videogalore]

Wesley!!! I was trying to do some work!! :D Great video as usual!

[@harshkatara]

Ur machine suprb sir

[@cdfbasementsltd3375]

What's best thing to colour in black on a brass plate?

[@alleksandrs]

So which result looks better at the end - the etched or the engraved? (Sorry if you told it but I haven't noticed).

[@jaycaviness1216]

How long will a dedicated bit last carving aluminum? i.e. the .040 aluminum with they bits you used.

[@gast1930]

I see the x carve in the background. I need one for my furniture business. What can you say about it?

[@RobertEchten]

Awesome! Do you think that it works now because you upgraded or do you think it could have been done with the Stock X-Carve (I have a stock one and would like to try it some day, but if it requires an upgrade, that day might come later....)

[@cristianobitencourt3010]

obrigado

[@misterx426]

Hi, what font did you use, and what kind of aluminum did you use and where did you get it? Thanks Tim

[@eperez2000]

I would recommend you to try wit a diamond drag engraving bit, much more detailed finish...

[@eperez2000]

And for cutting the aluminium, use a single spiral flute cnc router bit, easier and cleaner edge...

[@cowsgoloka]

How many miles will a diamond drag bit last?

[@azmantv3729]

Hi sir, I just bought a tool set for my own collection may I know if you have any suggestion on how to engrave my name on it?. If there any automation grinding?

[@juanpabloramirez6565]

I sugest to use oil during engraving and finish will be clean i do like that

[@iantodd9945]

Actually I use metholated spirits when engraving, as no oily residue is left afterwards. And i've been engraving for 20 years and had no problems with using it

[@mohamedabdulkarem1248]

You can use oil while engraving on it next time to to get a clean results.

[@WesleyTreat]

Tried it. Didn't make a difference. But most of the burrs you see in the video brush off with a toothbrush. It's not that messy.

[@darkfiree1]

What are you using for a collet on the router? Almost looks like it is magnetic

[@DG-sk7wt]

Could one potentially engrave say, a firearm receiver doing this method vs a fiber laser?

[@BlueLineofthesky]

Why don't you use a dedicated engraving bit? I know aluminum is not so easy to refine in terms of edges and detail but it might work better. Especially because the engraving bit has a much finer tip.

[@wagnerdamotta726]

Hi Great video What the name of software do you use? Thanks

[@ElectricNail]

Отлично!