Scratching glass

[curtiss]

A bit of a snow day today. I tried "scratching some glass" with some double sided tape and a few mouse pads.

Turned out pretty well actually, and did not break anything. The pads absorb the pressure from the bit and there is not much lateral pressure of course.

I zeroed to the glass as normal and started with a .02 cutting depth. This eventually became .06 to generate enough pressure for the desired result.

The actual cut of course is nowhere near .06.....

Z Decimal point location very important on this item

[Brady Watson]

Yep...In the shop scratching your glass again

Looks good! Did you run a diamond drag or ??? Router spinning?

A few years ago I mounted a TurboCarver to the Bot and while slow-going, it would engrave just about anything you put on there.

-B

[curtiss]

I first tried a "from China diamond bit" that did not last very long and then switched to a steel engraving bit.

Router was running about 16,000 rpm, 1.5 ips

So are you saying the "diamond drag bits" are not spinning when engraving ???

[Brady Watson]

So are you saying the "diamond drag bits" are not spinning when engraving ???

Yeppers...A diamond drag engraver does just that - it drags across the surface using it's hardness (hardness = resistance to scratching) and isn't spun in the tool holder or spindle.

Check it : Youtube Vid Example

-B

[dan_nelson]

is there any disadvantage for using an engraving bit spinning compaired to a DD bit dragging for etching glass we are just trying this for the first time any advise ?

[curtiss]

is there any disadvantage for using an engraving bit spinning compaired to a DD bit dragging for etching glass we are just trying this for the first time any advise ?

I had a rather poor quality diamond bit... but I would guess a proper one would do much better.

The steel engraving bit did fine about about 16,000 rpm. Wear safety glasses... next time I would spray a bit of water on the surface.

[dan_nelson]

How did it work for say an area clearance and what stepover or did you just do a straight/ curved line work on your design and lettering

[wberminio]

Have you tried Widgetworksunlimited Diamond Drag Bit?
http://www.widgetworksunlimited.com/..._Bits_s/33.htm

Simple and it works!

[knight_toolworks]

heat kills diamonds so spinning is not the best idea. a spring loaded drag bit is great for such work. gives you control over pressure.

[dlcw]

I've used Widgetworks diamond drag for etching some brass and it worked very well for that too.

My next adventure is to try some glass etching.