A couple of solid surface projects-LG HiMacs

[Larry Bratton]

Here are a couple of little projects made on LG HiMacs solid surface. The material is the White Quartz color, engraved and filled. One, is a marker for a deceased pet (not mine) and the other is going to end up on my mailbox post. Just thought I would share them.

[Frank Corker]

Wow Larry, they look really nice. Very clear.

[Bob Cole]

That looks great. I've been doing similar things with Corian.

I recently sent a request to LG for a local distributor but unfortunately the closest one is across the state. I don't do enough volume yet to purchase multiple sheets and pay freight (which will be considerably more than I am paying for Corian locally).

I have my hopes up and looking for a fab shop that I could get their scraps.

[Dee Gallo]

Nice work, Larry! Have you used both Corian and this stuff? I wonder how they compare? Your work is very sharp and clean.

cheers, dee

[Mike DeRegnaucourt]

Nice work Larry!

When you engraved the cat, did you use Photograv? If so, I was curious about your color filling technique. Did you have to use any white in your color fill?

[Larry Bratton]

Nice work Larry!

When you engraved the cat, did you use Photograv? If so, I was curious about your color filling technique. Did you have to use any white in your color fill?

Mike:
Yes, I used Photograv. When this was engraved, it of course, comes out completely white. To make the photo appear, I took some black Krylon Fusion, sprayed it on a cloth and just rubbed it in to the photo engraving..like magic it appears. No white in the fill. I did the lettering the same way, but I clean the excess paint off with WD40.

[Bob Cole]

What do you use to colorfill? I've been using the rattle can and I occassionally have issues with the paint adhering to the walls of the engraving. It really stands out. Unfortunately, I didn't notice until I was on my way so another reason to have Sharpies in various colors handy.

[Bob Cole]

Guess I took too long to type.

Thanks for answering my question. That method would probably work better for getting in all the cracks and crevices.

[Larry Bratton]

Dee:
Corian is about the same. LG HiMacs and Corian are identical in chemical make up (at least that's what they say). I have used up a bunch of stuff the local distributor gave me for free in exchange for making them some sales aids. It routes very nicely also. I am coming to the point where I am going to have to buy some from them! I am making ADA compliant signs with it also.

[Anthony Welch]

Nice job there Larry. I am so anxious to try the solid surface stuff myself. No one local that handles this stuff, so no "drop offs". But I'm gonna do it now that I've seen your stuff.

Thanks
Anthony

[Larry Bratton]

Nice job there Larry. I am so anxious to try the solid surface stuff myself. No one local that handles this stuff, so no "drop offs". But I'm gonna do it now that I've seen your stuff.

Thanks
Anthony

Anthony:
Find you a cabinet shop that does counter tops. Everytime they cut out a sink, they have a drop. Let me see if I can get some more drops. I think I know where I can get some and if I can, I'll send you some to try.

[Belinda Barfield]

Larry,

Very nice!

Dee,

Corian and Hi-Macs are both acrylic solid surface, essentially the same product, different manufacturers. Hi-Macs is less expensive. There is a third acrylic solid surface - Staron. Avonite is also a solid surface product, but polyester instead of acrylic.

All,

Don't limit yourselves to countertop shops when sourcing drops. Some cabinet companies also fabricate Corian (or at least they do in our area).

Almost anything you can do with wood, you can do with Corian. Personalized cutting boards are very popular. Just a few ideas - mongrammed trivets, picture/mirror frames, desk name plates, bread boards for restaurants. Using a paint fill is the easiest option. The advantage of using Corian or Integra adhesive to fill is that you have smooth surface, and the engraved area appears to be an inlay (which basically it is). Bubbles can be an issue when using the adhesive though. Typically for signs and things of that nature I use paint, for cutting boards and bread boards I use adhesive as a fill when possible. If the engraving is shallow the adhesive fill sometimes sands out if you have to resurface the piece.

Sorry, my camera was stolen from my office and I haven't gotten around to replacing it yet, so I don't have any decent pics to post.

[Steve Clarkson]

Belinda.....all great ideas.....thanks for sharing.

One thing about cutting boards though.....my concern was that you should use the adhesive instead of paint so that it will still be food safe.

[Belinda Barfield]

Belinda.....all great ideas.....thanks for sharing.

One thing about cutting boards though.....my concern was that you should use the adhesive instead of paint so that it will still be food safe.

Good point Steve. Also dishwasher safe. Ask the customer about how he/she intends to use the board. Many of the cutting boards I do end up being just for display.

Two photos, one paint filled, one adhesive filled (Low Country Boil). You may not be able to tell the difference. Pix aren't great, these were taken for the customer file just for my reference.

Ouback Bread Board Prototype 001.jpg
Ouback Bread Board Prototype 003.jpg
Corian Cutting Board.jpg

[Dee Gallo]

Thanks for the comparison info, Belinda! Since there have been so many new solid surface materials introduced, you never know what you're getting, which could be detrimental to your laser.

I love the idea of putting a recipe on the back of a cutting board. Seems like a perfect "family specialty" type gift, newlyweds first Christmas, bachelor's apartment (with hangover recipe on back!), etc. Why did the restaurant want a big hole in the board? Was it to hold dipping sauce or something? Just curious...

cheers, dee