orbiterred
Tele-Meister
Anyone played around with a cheaper laser engraver for doing headstock branding?
Laser Engraver for headstock?
- Thread starter orbiterred
- Start date
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you need one with a laser strong enough to burn into the surface.. usually a 20 mW ... thus you won't find one on the list of cheep laser engravers...
Interesting timing. I have on my workbench right now a guitar that a friend's dad "built" for him. I is a Grizzly Tools "kit", the box was built, the father had to glue the neck and bridge on and did the finish. My friend brought it to me to make it playable.
The guitar has this on the inside of the back
Very nicely wood burned into the back of the guitar. I asked my friend how his dad did this, he told me he has some sort of "little laser". I didn't pursue the subject, I have experience with industrial laser used for cutting sheet metal (and engraving on metal) and I know that many companies including Taylor and StewMac engrave stuff in their laser cut products.
My friend is due to pick up his guitar this week end, I will ask for more details about the laser and will report back.
By the way, if you want to see more laser engraving on guitars check out Luna
www.lunaguitars.com
The guitar has this on the inside of the back
Very nicely wood burned into the back of the guitar. I asked my friend how his dad did this, he told me he has some sort of "little laser". I didn't pursue the subject, I have experience with industrial laser used for cutting sheet metal (and engraving on metal) and I know that many companies including Taylor and StewMac engrave stuff in their laser cut products.
My friend is due to pick up his guitar this week end, I will ask for more details about the laser and will report back.
By the way, if you want to see more laser engraving on guitars check out Luna
Luna Guitars
Browse ukuleles, acoustic guitars, and more at Luna Guitars. We manufacture exotic instruments that are artistically designed, physically comfortable, affordably priced, and sound as good as they look. Click for details.
www.lunaguitars.com 
nickhofen
Friend of Leo's
I own one of those CO2 laser and I can say that they are faster than diode lasers.
The only problem is that if you want to fit a guitar neck in there you have to modify it a little bit by cutting the back of the metallic housing.
The only problem is that if you want to fit a guitar neck in there you have to modify it a little bit by cutting the back of the metallic housing.
Genmitsu LC-40, 10watt engraver.
Haven’t ran at full power. 5 watt should do.
Some stuff I have done.
Scott
Haven’t ran at full power. 5 watt should do.
Some stuff I have done.
Scott
orbiterred
Tele-Meister
Amazing as always Scott!
The technology for the laser stuff while not "cheap" is definitely getting into the more approachable range... I'm definitely intrigued...
orbiterred
Tele-Meister
Love this, looks nice and deep, well etched.
nickhofen
Friend of Leo's
Thanks a lot!
I like Big Necks, and I cannot lie...
willietheweirdo
Tele-Afflicted
Have you tried it through the finish? @nickhofen @Moodivarius
Yes, but you need to put painter’s tape on before engraving, so the laser doesn’t reflect of the finished surface.
Scott
nickhofen
Friend of Leo's
No, I haven't.
bottlenecker
Doctor of Teleocity
All the ones I've used have an enclosed bed. If I wanted to use it for a headstock I'd do an overlay, then glue it to the headstock. Then you can get it flat with no janky setup, practice on materials, throw away ones that don't turn out, and use any material even if it's not wood.
Found another pic.
Scott
Scott
Here you can see, I put one leg of my laser frame on the body of the guitar, then the other 3 legs where elevated with a piece of wood the same thickness of the body.
Keeps everything level, adjusted the laser to the correct focal length.
Scott
archtop_fjk
Tele-Afflicted
All I can say is this is so cool! Sure beats using a dremel to hand engrave a logo on a headstock.
