Engraving aluminium - recommended tool

[d4cnc]

For engraving aluminium, what does everyone use for the bit? I presume that just loading a V bit won't be adequate because the aluminium (1050) isn't 100% flat.


Looking on ebay I only see spring loaded tool holders from America. Is there a UK source?
Also, I need it for my 6040 so less than 7mm diameter..


I've read that people have diy'd them, but would I need a lathe for that? As I don't have one.




Any help greatly appreciated

[magicniner]

How far from flat is "not 100%", is there a reason you can't surface it before engraving?
It's probably worth testing with a fixed V-bit cutter to see if the results look OK if the surface is nominally flat,

- Nick

[d4cnc]

To my eyes, it seems flat.. but the problem is I'm wanting to do very small writing, 1.5mm height and line width of around 0.2mm. So I was thinking it may be a problem.

I've not surfaced anything with aluminium yet.. it's 3mm thick stuff so not a lot to play with.. What sort of tool do you use for that? I only have a standard surfacing bit (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wood-Cutting-Tool-1-4-x-7-8-Straight-Shank-Cleaning-Bottom-Router-Bit-/301698508227?_trksid=p2141725.m3641.l6368) described as "for wood"

The plan is to mill the aluminium.. then paint it.. then lacquer it.. then apply some vinyl signmakers paper on top.. engrave through that.. then paint it.. then remove the vinyl paper.. does this sound like a doable plan?

[Lee Roberts]

Here's one that looks quite good, it's an eBay jobby but UK like you wanted.

Reading the description he seems to know what he's doing re 7mm shank (rigidity).

I'm going to order one and give it a go, though he's got video on YouTube showing them at work, there's a video in the listing too but you'll need to view it on a desktop pc or lappy.

eBay Link:
CNC Drag engraving tool for router or plotter. Spring loaded.

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/152025476127

.Me

[d4cnc]

Unfortunately I don't think that one wouldn't fit my ER11 800W spindle.. It's a shame, as there doesn't seem to be many options this side of the pond.

[Lee Roberts]

Unfortunately I don't think that one wouldn't fit my ER11 800W spindle.. It's a shame, as there doesn't seem to be many options this side of the pond.
Humm,

Make an adapta?

Roll your own?

http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1448&d=1263218265

I noticed, opertunity there for someone who knows their way around a lathe, get the price right I think you would sell well, if you did something like in the pic, you could make the tips consumables and score the repeat orders too...

.Me

[d4cnc]

Yes, I think there is an opportunity there too. The problem is I'm rather latheless personally..

If someone out there wants a guinea pig to test their design however.. I'm available ;)

[lucan07]

Its a different thing but seen the Aliminium Roland Vinyl cutter tool holders you can pick up on Ebay for a couple of quid used for some very fine drag engraving on wine glasses with a diamond tip might be worth a couple of quid to see if you can do anything with an aliminium tool holder very similar to this unit and a great place to start "rolling your own", it would be worth that to play and see may want to upgrade the spring and make a shank adapter. it would be light weight but that seems to be all you want
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1Piece-Blade-Holder-Fit-for-Roland-Vinyl-Cutter-Cutting-Plotter-Silver-/331720997503?hash=item4d3c1cba7f:g:qq4AAOSwHQ9WXBB J

[magicniner]

What depth of 7mm shank can be accommodated inside your collet chuck?
I ask because I have a design for a sprung 7mm OD drag engraving tool but it's dependent upon the length which can be behind the collet face,

- Nick

[magicniner]

Update -
The Yanks make one already - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/60-DEGREE-CNC-STAINLESS-DRAG-ENGRAVING-TOOL-BIT-WITH-SPRING-LOADED-DIAMOND-TIP-/191830859976?hash=item2caa02a0c8:g:okAAAOSwPc9WzRo 0

Considering that the diamond tool alone is around £20 it's not a bad deal,

- Nick

[d4cnc]

Ah yes, I was looking at that one.. but was unsure of what I would do if I needed to replace the bit.. would I need a whole new tool etc. or are the bits replaceable. And also, I'd have preferred an English source, as was in a hurry.. however as it seems America has the monopoly on these type of things, I went in the end for this one.. http://www.mrrace.com/product_pages/other_items/spring_tool/index.htm


Seems like it would work well.. I could also use standard cutters.. and it's used with spindle on.. so isn't drag engraving which I've read isn't a great thing to do on spindles like mine which aren't too strong.. not sure how true that is?


The guy also was willing to answer all my questions which was helpful for a beginner like me.


Obviously the proof is in the pudding and there's not many reviews/videos of it so I'll let you know how it goes and any tribulations I know doubt will run into.. !

[Boyan Silyavski]

Update -
The Yanks make one already - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/60-DEGREE-CNC-STAINLESS-DRAG-ENGRAVING-TOOL-BIT-WITH-SPRING-LOADED-DIAMOND-TIP-/191830859976?hash=item2caa02a0c8:g:okAAAOSwPc9WzRo 0

Considering that the diamond tool alone is around £20 it's not a bad deal,

- Nick


i have similar 120 degree. It makes 0.2mm wide lines. I would much wonder why sb will want to buy a 60 degree diamond for dragging.

[evildrome]

Hi Guys,
.
Bit of disclosure first... I am the guy making these:
.
.
eBay (http://ebay.co.uk/) Link:
CNC Drag engraving tool for router or plotter. Spring loaded.
.
http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/152025476127
.
I've been making them for 6 years.
.
Now, I need to warn anyone with an ER11 collet machine (or Bosch POF500A or similar) that the reason I do not sell engravers with shanks smaller than 10mm is not because I can't mechanically make them, I can, but small routers (of the ER11 variety) are NOT DESIGNED for the side loading involved in drag engraving.
.
You will destroy your bearings in short order. This is why I sell a simple split collet which holds the engraver and which replaces the router body during engraving.
.
For the love of God, do not buy a 1/4" shank drag engraver and use it in a small router.
.
Cheers,
.
Wilson.
.
.
http://www.dragengraving.com/

[d4cnc]

Do you do a collet option for machines that would replace a 65mm diameter spindle? I have a 6040 that I'm trying to engrave with.

[evildrome]

They're hand made to order so I can make them any size.

I have made one 65mm collet in the past.

[d4cnc]

Ah great. The problem I'm having with the mrrace one I'm using is that because the aluminium is soft, and once the tool is spinning, the spring doesn't come into play at all.. it just dives straight in to the work.. this means getting small lines isn't feasable at the moment. I was using a 20 degree 0.1mm tip bit. I've since bought a 10 degree one to try but not had a chance to experiment yet. The goal is to have writing at a width of around 0.2mm.. then to paint that writing.. would that be possible with your set up do you think?
Many thanks

[evildrome]

I've just added "65mm" to the collet options on http://www.dragengraving.com/

[evildrome]

I would think so with the 120 tip.

[evildrome]

This is a video of my 120 tip engraving aluminium

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8UZRkzbdls

skip forward to 5:20

[ptjw7uk]

In post 16 d4cnc is saying 'once the tool is spinning, - I thought this was about a drag engraver and as such shouldn't spin.

Peter

[Boyan Silyavski]

In post 16 d4cnc is saying 'once the tool is spinning, - I thought this was about a drag engraver and as such shouldn't spin.

Peter

He is talking about his mmrace spring loaded toolholder


as far as engraving and color filling better read this (http://www.engraverssolutions.com/PDFs/tips&tricks-color_filling.pdf), but in short :

"As a rule of thumb, with characters up to 1/4" high, engrave to a depth of .010" -.012". On larger characters, it is advisable to go .015" - .020" deep depending on theline width and filling technique used."

[John S]

Wilson,
Check your PM's

[evildrome]

Hi John,

I have replied but if you don't see the reply feel free to call me on 07711 zero two six six five three

Cheers,

Wilson.

[Billythefish]

Laser works best for engraving aluminium :-)

cheers,
Billy

[evildrome]

What size of laser do you need?

[Billythefish]

Mine is 10w, 1023nm, galvo. You can do it with a 6w blue fibre laser on an xy gantry home made. Size is not really the issue, beam quality is more important..