Looking for any info on wood laser engraving.

[Val Deale]

I'm going to try making a custom wood Silver B handle with laser engraving for a friend. I'll post photos when I start fabricating the handle but does anyone out there know much about laser engraving wood? The font I'm going to engrave is an outline font. I was wondering if the laser cuts into the wood or does it just leave a surface burn mark. If it cuts into the wood, can the depth be controlled by the laser machine? Tomorrow I will start calling local engravers.

The Silver B is one that I fixed up in July for a friend who keeps it at a family home on a lake. He created the phrase and I had a friend from our company's graphics department help me with the font style and diagram. Attached is a screenshot:

 

[Cody Bratton]

I know nothing about this, but I’m following along!

 

[DanHoo]

paging @Ed P


@Val Deale checkout this thread

Thread 'Reefer Magnets'

Sep 2, 2021

You gotta admit, these are cuter than a bug's behind. I was only going to make 3, but then I found an 8" piece of scrap redwood fence picket that I could squeeze 6 out of and hopefully not destroy a $20 end mill by hitting a deck screw. And then I pooched one by forgetting to tighten the collet (DOH!) so now I'm down to 5. I think this first run is pretty much spoken for but is there any interest in these?

How much $$ I don't know yet. We'll have to see how they turn out. I don't plan on cranking them out by the hundreds, that's for sure, and I sure ain't gonna get rich off of them...

• Ed P
• Replies: 72
• Forum: Weber Gas Grills & Griddles

• 

 

[Ed P]

I'm going to try making a custom wood Silver B handle with laser engraving for a friend. I'll post photos when I start fabricating the handle but does anyone out there know much about laser engraving wood? The font I'm going to engrave is an outline font. I was wondering if the laser cuts into the wood or does it just leave a surface burn mark. If it cuts into the wood, can the depth be controlled by the laser machine? Tomorrow I will start calling local engravers.

The Silver B is one that I fixed up in July for a friend who keeps it at a family home on a lake. He created the phrase and I had a friend from our company's graphics department help me with the font style and diagram. Attached is a screenshot:

View attachment 121904

I've not done any lasering, but I think it is more of a surface treatment. It might work well for an outline font like you have planned. You might also look into having your project done with a CNC router...I have done a few things with my homebuilt MPCNC, but I have not carved a handle because I prefer to use the Weber Handle Light with LEDs. I did create some graphic ideas for handles at one point but never created the toolpaths to actually carve one. I carved the flames and the Weber badge on my serving tray handles with a small tapered bit and filled it with black paint...I think that is similat to what you have in mind. It should look nice when you get done!

 

[Josh Dekubber]

I've not done any lasering, but I think it is more of a surface treatment. It might work well for an outline font like you have planned. You might also look into having your project done with a CNC router...I have done a few things with my homebuilt MPCNC, but I have not carved a handle because I prefer to use the Weber Handle Light with LEDs. I did create some graphic ideas for handles at one point but never created the toolpaths to actually carve one. I carved the flames and the Weber badge on my serving tray handles with a small tapered bit and filled it with black paint...I think that is similat to what you have in mind. It should look nice when you get done!

Very nice detail work Ed!

 

[Timothy F. Lewis]

I have one of your magnets on my small fridge!

 

[Ed P]

Very nice detail work Ed!

Thank you! It was a fun project, but not without its frustrations. Those handles were a 2-sided project, which meant I had to carve one side, then flip them over to carve the other side...but I misinterpreted the icon to flip them horizontally and I kept flipping them vertically. It took me about 6 or more tries before I finally realized why the sides weren't lining up. That was a real face-palm moment. I also played around with the profile a little bit to find something I was happy with. I took a picture of the scrap pile I created along the way, but I learned a lot.

 

[Josh Dekubber]

I can very much relate. I like to do the same types of projects and don't like to say that I can't do things. A lot of times I don't get things right on the first try and sometimes not on the second or third but it's surprising what can be accomplish with some practice and patience.

You have made some very nice pieces there. Always like to check out quality craftsmanship like this!!

 

[LMichaels]

Those handles look incredible. That is some kind of fine work!

 

[Bruce]

Yah, are those small handles for the ceramic trays on the old Genesis 5000 and 5 grills?

 

[Ed P]

Yah, are those small handles for the ceramic trays on the old Genesis 5000 and 5 grills?

Yes, and the Genesis 4/4000 models. The G4 had 2 trays, the G5 had 1 tray and a side burner. I modified the profile somewhat to provide a flat surface for the graphics.

 

[Wilmer Cogburn]

Sign folks will use a "mask" material and print it, then blast in an abrasive cabinet. Then stain the abraided area. Different than you ask, but another idea.