MattiThundrrr
Rattus All Terrainus
I think you use the cutter to make masks (I too am fluent in Photoshop lol). They cover up the areas where the acid won't etch. The darker areas in the badge are what's eaten away
ORBO Belle: Round 2!
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I've heard a bit about acid-etched headbadges before, but I'm not too familiar with the process. Sounds like something I might have to try!
Yeah sorry, my bad
You can make stencils with the vinyl cutter.
You can also paint your graphics or use electric tape and then cut by hand with a scalpel but that's much more time consuming...
Then you just need some destilled water, vinegar and salt, some wires and an old power supply and you're good to go. I played a little with concentrations, voltage and time but it is fun and not that hard. There are also many videos on how to do it. Aluminum is a good metal to start.
I used iron-3-chloride for brass because when I tried with electricity like with aluminum it just wouldn't work well (I'm to lazy to find out why or to buy equipment)
Edit:
For drawing I use sketch book from autodesk for android. It's free and works just fine even on smartphones. You can import and export your drawings quite easily and the software of the cutter can work with the .png.
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I really ought to get a vinyl cutter... between this and using vinyl masks to paint graphics on bikes, I could get some serious mileage out of one.Yeah sorry, my bad
You can make stencils with the vinyl cutter.
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You can also paint your graphics or use electric tape and then cut by hand with a scalpel but that's much more time consuming...
Then you just need some destilled water, vinegar and salt, some wires and an old power supply and you're good to go. I played a little with concentrations, voltage and time but it is fun and not that hard. There are also many videos on how to do it. Aluminum is a good metal to start.
I used iron-3-chloride for brass because when I tried with electricity like with aluminum it just wouldn't work well (I'm to lazy to find out why or to buy equipment)
Edit:
For drawing I use sketch book from autodesk for android. It's free and works just fine even on smartphones. You can import and export your drawings quite easily and the software of the cutter can work with the .png.
I just checked out a couple videos on the process, and yeah, I think I could do that! My only real concern would be cutting the metal to shape afterwards. If I was just making a rectangular or circular badge, I could easily do it myself with just a jigsaw and a belt sander, but this is a design where I want the outline to be where it's cut. I feel like if I were to engrave this design, it'd make more sense to have it laser-engraved, as it could be cut to shape with the same machine and a .eps file. My brother actually did that sort of thing back in college, except it was mostly with wood, not metal.
That all said, I designed this icon for print as either a sticker or t-shirt graphic. I'm sure I could make a sweet aluminum or brass headbadge out of it if I took it to a shop with a laser engraver, but that's an idea for later. Right now, I'm in "print shop" mode.
I had used Autodesk's Sketchbook desktop app waaaaay back in high school about 15 years ago, and I've been meaning to try it out again. I have the android app, but I barely use it, as I prefer using a computer over my phone for pretty much everything. I just looked up the desktop app, and it's only $25! I might just get that and play around with it again.
Laser is of course a luxury and really cool.
I used a fretsaw and fine metal saw blades for sawing. With aluminum it is very easy and quick, brass is a bit more difficult but not so bad. After sawing you just need a few small key files and some sandpaper and a little patience.
I don't have a PC, so I do everything with my smartphone or tablet
I used a fretsaw and fine metal saw blades for sawing. With aluminum it is very easy and quick, brass is a bit more difficult but not so bad. After sawing you just need a few small key files and some sandpaper and a little patience.
I don't have a PC, so I do everything with my smartphone or tablet
I'm old, have lots of tools, but I'm still learning. Looks like I'm going to get another saw to hang out with my coping saws. Tighter turns, I like that!
