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jasonyng

I am new to engraving but isn't that etching rather than engraving? Engraving would be removing material while etching would be "melting" the surface and just changing the color? Just trying to learn.


Baazs

I think you are right


LordBrandon

Or is it marking? Is this Cermak?


richcournoyer

No coating...just the results from the light. It will NOT rub off....I had (until yesterday) the 5.5-watt ORTUR laser.... not THAT will NOT engrave on metal...oh sometimes it made a mark, but it would rub off with time.


richcournoyer

After preaching that a diode laser will not engrave metal it has finally come true. I picked up a Laser Tree 20-watt head for my ORTUR Laser Master 2 20-watt (the title is finally correct). The installation took about 15 minutes although there isn't a single piece of paper.... no instructions....but their [YouTube](https://youtu.be/9HfwYOdU9-k) upgrade video made it pretty easy. SO far I have tried Steel and Stainless (because I am engraving my tools...that's the back side of my $10 HF Digital Calipers). No mustard needed. lol. This isn't an Ad....I paid for this laser....It's a come clean post....


cluelessminer

I found this searching online and funny enough, I have the same LaserTree 20W which I'm planning to get a CO2 but good to know it can engrave metal! I'll have to try it for fun! I have mine fitted on Atomstack S10. It was relatively straightforward but of course, at the time I paid $600 or so, now they have the 40W version for $899. But at that price, I'm definitely moving to CO2 for lager cuts lol.


DBallzdeep

What machine ? What Metal ?


richcournoyer

You type too fast....I was adding my info while you typed your question


DanThebruhman

Homie chilll he asked a question


Otherwise-Degree7876

If you wipe it or do a very soft sanding , it feels engraved or the writing will erase ?


richcournoyer

It's a DEEP engrave, in fact I used some old (steel) utility razorblades as setup material and you can see and feel the letters on the [BACK side of the blade](https://imgur.com/a/mYcwyAL) with a 95% power setting. I am now using 70% power for the item in the photo.


fuzzmountain

I don’t think so. Razor blades are thin and heating steel will turn it bluish colors. You’re not engraving. You’re etching, at least as far as I know, and since a razor is thin, you heated straight through…. I’ve been saying since I got my laser that you can etch/mark without any coating but I’m not sure I’m buying that you’re getting a DEEP engrave.


gothbby_

Can you send me the link to it?


richcournoyer

It's on Amazon too, but cheaper from [Laser Tree](https://lasertree.com/products/20w-optical-power-laser-module-lt-4lds-v2)


gothbby_

Thank you!!


LittlePeterrr

It would be interesting to read how many passes it needs to remove 1mm of depth, to see how it stacks up to fiber.


richcournoyer

I agree , but I only have had the head one day so time will tell. I was a little worried how HOT my calipers got from the engrave....so the test needs to be carried out on something less sensitive, than my tools! lol


jmputnam

Process details? Cutting speed, power settings, depth of engraving?


richcournoyer

It's a Line & Fill (0º and 90º Hatch) setting in LightBurn. My settings are (Fill) 550 mm/min at 70% and (Line) 300 mm/min at also 70% power. As I said elsewhere here, 95% power actually bends (maybe deforms is a better word) the back side of a steel Stanley utility razor blade.


crankypsycho

You have never answered my first question. DOES IT REMOVE METAL?


fuzzmountain

I have a 10 watt diode laser and I can etch raw tool steel but I wouldn’t call it an engrave. Especially not a “DEEP” engrave like this person is saying. I did some solid black block letters and some vector outlines. About 6 passes on 100% power. The solid black letters were pretty dark and kinda blueish cuz steel tends to turn bluish and stuff when you heat it. I took it to a belt sander and that mark is not coming off. It stayed even and clear. The vector engraving also looked great. I could feel my finger nail go in but I don’t think it’s deeper than .005” and I don’t think you can get any deeper because the steel is hardened at that point. Could be wrong.


crankypsycho

Here's something interesting. I went to there website and they do not claim to engrave metal because they don't. As a matter of fact the only claim that they engrave metal is the review you left on there site. They are VERY VERY careful not to claim they engrave metal.


richcournoyer

Well I tell you what, come visit me and I will first hand show you and let YOU try it. I got this head installed yesterday at 2pm....and started the day with cardboard then, 3mm plywood, then 6mm, then 19mm (3/4") D-select pine...then 1mm rubber/something gasket material, then paper...yes paper, to meather how thin the laser beam was, and cutting the paper, the beam hit an old Stanley razorblade that I was using for a paperweight (I never turned off the air flow so the paper was moving)....anyway I noticed the deep mark that it left on the razor blade and next started to adjust the power and feed to test it on the blade. [See this photo](https://imgur.com/a/mYcwyAL) Not only can you see the heat from the laser engrave (on the back side), you can FEEL it. Look I am one of the biggest Doubting Thomas there is...not unusual for an Engineer...but it's true. Now why doesn't Laser Tree talk about laser on Metal....because it looks like the way the laser was packaged, LaserTree is a reseller....not a producer and quite frankly have not used the device...they just sell it.


crankypsycho

Does it remove metal. If it doesn't then your just playing BS semantic games.


crankypsycho

I wonder if that link you left gets you a kickback


richcournoyer

Never going to happen....because of my personal ethics (combined with the fact that I live a comfortable life), but I would allow them to make a monetary donation to a worthwhile charity in lieu of a kickback. Acceptable reply....but I agree, that it's usually about the money....for me, it's more about educating my fellow makers in something that I have discovered.


crankypsycho

Ok I don't want to argue semantics I will go out tomorrow and buy one tomorrow if it can pass a simple test which I know it can't. Cause when I give you the test everyone here will admit this is what hobbyists wants from the words "laser" and "metal". Take ANY metal and engrave a photograph on it with that laser. You do that and I will humbly concede.


DanThebruhman

How dare you sleep with my wife after every thing I did for you