What material should I use?

[daniel hernandez]

I purchased anodized aluminum (very thin, I think .025?) to engrave, then cut trophy plates out of....did I mention I'm new at this?

The art work, and engraving came out very nice, it was when I got to the cutting part that I found out my 60W C02 laser doesn't cut aluminum.

Can anyone tell me what material I can use, that would get the same results/effect as the aluminum? ...that I can cut with C02.

Is there such a thing or am I limited to the plastic stuff only?

I've seen these metal plates on trophies before, how did they do it?

Thanks,
Dan

[Tony Lenkic]

If you don't want to use plastic buy a metal cutting desktop shear and stay with aluminum.
Accucutter makes top notch shear for this purpose.

[Keith Outten]

Its a step up from a shear and more expensive but a safety saw is a valuable asset for cutting thin metal and plastic. There is information about safety saws here in our archives.
.

[Phil Noakes]

Daniel,

An alternative would Rowmark's FlexiBrass, part # 602-3549, Brushed Aluminum/Black w/adhesive applied. The gauge of this product is .020", with a brushed aluminum finish that engraves to black.

Please visit Rowmark's website at www.rowmark.com to find a distributor near you. Please contact me direct at 1-800-243-3339 if you want a sample or have any questions.

Regards,

Phil Noakes
Rowmark

[Mark Sipes]

I purchased anodized aluminum (very thin, I think .025?) to engrave, then cut trophy plates out of....did I mention I'm new at this?

Dan if you are in this for the long haul. Buy a metal shear !!

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[Braden Todd]

Just got an email that JDS is offering a free Duets sheet sample with next order. Maybe that will work for you if you don't want to buy a shear yet

[Ross Moshinsky]

3 ways to make trophy plates(typically)

1. Print out labels on a laser printer (cheap but some do it)
2. Shear metal plates, typically aluminum which is either sublimated or engraved.
3. "Flexibrass" type material.

Personally, we go with option #3. I personally don't like cutting hundreds of little plates on the sheer, putting tape on the back of each, and then removing the tape. If I had a bunch of cheap labor, I'd probably use option #2 more often, but since I don't, it's easier to just throw it on the laser.

[Mark Sipes]

Totally agree with Ross if you want to remain at the "I only do trophies" phase of your business plan. When you want to step up into plaques and custom brass engraving you will have to take the leap and purchase a metal shear. I bet a beveller is out of the question.....How about a corner rounder.....

[David Somers]

Mark....is a corner rounder anything like circle squarer? (squaring a circle?)

Sorry....bad geometry reference!

D

[Tony Lenkic]

David,

See it here.............
www dot maintrophysupply dot com/presses.htm

[Mark Sipes]

Sorry David that is a Notcher or Scallop corner cutter, they both have square circles...

[Mark Sipes]

Tony David was make a Washington (Seattle) joke...... But I do believe they are available at "Harbour Fright Tools"


.

[David Somers]

Oh Mark (and Tony!). It is worse and more feeble than that. Squaring a circle is an old geometry problem. A classic going wayyyyyy back to the greeks. You were given a circle and told to make a square of the exact same area using only a compass and straightedge, and in a fixed number of steps. It was proven to be impossible back in the very late 1800's I think and since then basically means being asked to do the impossible. As I said, a VERY bad geometry reference/joke.

I have been known to cut corners in order to get scallops but have never had a scallop corner cutter! <grin>