There's a new laser engraver in town

[Ed Davidson]

Finished a few maple yo-yos today. The natural finished one is embellished with a laser engraved design, using new-to-me software (Lightburn) and a new diode (cheap) desktop laser I put together earlier this week. The other three are candy-colored with alcohol dye, and embellished with Japanese Washi art paper side-caps.

 

[Chris Fairbanks]

Nice work!

 

[Bill Blasic]

Lightburn software is a game changer for lasers. I run two diode lasers and one 40 watt tube laser with it. Fun to incorporate lasers with woodturning, nice job on the yo-yo.

 

[Dennis Weiner]

Very smart-looking yoyos. How is the art paper applied? Is it similar to applying stencils?

 

[Ed Davidson]

How is the art paper applied? Is it similar to applying stencils?

Washi paper (or tape) has a sticky back and is very thin and flexible. So it needs stiffening up with some kind of backing like heavy cardstock paper. After affixing a strip of Washi onto the cardstock, I'll cut out rounds with a paper punch (1.25" round in this case). Then attach a sticky back epoxy dome on top of the Washi art to protect it. Finally, glue the Washi-cabochon into a recess (counter-bore in your turning) using Beacon Gem-Tac Permanent Adhesive. Hope that helps.

 

[Karl Loeblein]

What’s the lazer? Does it give you some way to do pens?

 

[Ed Davidson]

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What’s the lazer? Does it give you some way to do pens?

The model I got is Ortur. Hit the link and scroll down the page to see their rotary attachment. From what I've seen so far, several people have modified the rotary tool to lase pens, Christmas ornaments water pitchers and lots of other things. There are several Facebook user groups for this manufacturer's stuff, with a tremendous amount of how-to info.

 

[Dean Center]

Ed, your yoyos are terrific. Maybe, too terrific. These are so perfect they could be seen as machine made, rather than craftsman made.

 

[Ed Davidson]

Ed, your yoyos are terrific. Maybe, too terrific. These are so perfect they could be seen as machine made, rather than craftsman made.

Very kind...thank you. Here's seven more, completed today:

 

[Dave Hulett]

I recently was gifted a Laserpecker It's small, easy to set up and use. Karl, it was an easy setup to do pens. See my comments with pictures and video in the thread Signing your work