engraving dogtags; Give it to me straight

[gsartor_1999]

I usually learn by doing and figuring out but now I need it to work so I am asking for some guidance.

Objective: personalized engraved metal tags
Machine: Shopbot Desktop
Material: Anondized metal dogs tags 2 x 1.125 x 0.040
Available Bits:

90 degree V bit
engraving bit 30 degree
diamond drag bit
some small ball nose (I am assuming that is not the way to go so I am not listing them here)


Does anyone already have this set up? I am going for something like this
http://www.genuinedogtags.com/images/engraved%20dog%20tags.JPG

I have the photo from Bill Young on a jig set up for plastic tags. I have been creating one by trial and error (mostly error). I just got a "fat-mat" hold down pad but if I use that, how do I get the blanks registered? I guess I could use a paper pattern. I wish the underlayment on that had a grid.

I was able to do some successful dinking around before I got the metal tags and this is what I came up with. It is out of some laminate shelving that I had cut then painted and wiped off to get enough contrast for the QR code to read. The material is too thick for "keychains" or "dogtags" which is why I got the dogtags. I tried the engraving bit today without any thought for registration and the results were pretty bad.

I clearly need some training at Shopbot but I have learned so much from this forum I don't want to hold back because I think my questions are dumb. I tell my kids to ask away when they are learning-I am taking my own advice.

thanks!

[knight_toolworks]

a spring loaded drag bit seems to work best. but I would not use diamond just get a carbide bit ground to a point. the spring lets you not worry about everything being exactly the same height. That is critical and really makes things practical. Then all you need to hodl them in place is a pocket that they fit into snuggly enough to keep from moving side to side.

[gene]

The only dumb question is the one you dont ask! Theres alot of folks that like to offer help ( and some of it actually works ):eek:
A laser would do this in short order . but if you dont have one than a shopbot will do fine

[knight_toolworks]

The only dumb question is the one you dont ask! Theres alot of folks that like to offer help ( and some of it actually works ):eek:
A laser would do this in short order . but if you dont have one than a shopbot will do fine

I was thinking the same thing. though the bot can do it pretty well but it takes an investment of a spring loaded drag tip. I used to engrave these aluminum boxes and I would battle getting them all at the same height as they varied from box to box.
here are a few samples
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s266/knighttoolworks/posting/50f2525f.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s266/knighttoolworks/posting/P1000589-Copy_resize.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s266/knighttoolworks/posting/demotile2_resize.jpg

[gsartor_1999]

Thanks for the support guys! I do have a diamond drag bit so I put it to work today and I am much happier with the results on the dog tags. I know a laser would be awesome but I am pretty lucky to have a rich uncle who gave me some money to buy equipment and I wanted it to go as far as I could. I am getting a dye sublimation set up next week!

Once I get this baby set up-we will be off to the races!

Here is what I did this afternoon-they are super shiny and cool-especially the one with cross hatching.

[gsartor_1999]

Steve, those are some pretty amazing examples! Is that marble? I am glad I got the drag bit with the start-up kit if we can do stuff that cool!

[knight_toolworks]

Thanks for the support guys! I do have a diamond drag bit so I put it to work today and I am much happier with the results on the dog tags. I know a laser would be awesome but I am pretty lucky to have a rich uncle who gave me some money to buy equipment and I wanted it to go as far as I could. I am getting a dye sublimation set up next week!

Once I get this baby set up-we will be off to the races!

Here is what I did this afternoon-they are super shiny and cool-especially the one with cross hatching.
I would not spin the bit myself just drag it along.

[knight_toolworks]

Steve, those are some pretty amazing examples! Is that marble? I am glad I got the drag bit with the start-up kit if we can do stuff that cool!
right just a tile from home depot. but it needs to be really dark to show well. I can't remember for sure but I had to sue a stronger spring to get a good mark.