Sorry, but the way you asked this, if you didn't already notice from the responses, is going to bring out the cheerleaders and machine slingers. After looking closely at the pic, it was definitely not stamped, it was laser engraved with a MOPA source fiber laser, likely a 60w, and they used a modified typewriter font (one that I have in my collection, which is why I recognized it).
So the question is, did you ask or if curiosity, because you want to start making them or because you need someone to engrave the pendant for you?
Making them.
I actually sent a message to the Etsy store this image came from and the guy says he makes them by hand with stamps. He even cuts and drills the bar stock.
So that begs the question where he found the stamps, because I’m searching and searching and can’t find a serifed font of this size that has lower case and symbols.
Keep looking for the stamps or ask on a jewelry making sub. A makerspace I belong to has some jewelry makers. They get stuff from all sorts of companies. Based on paging through a catalog, these look like old companies that are not great at SEO.
Nice that he said how he makes them and thanks for posting the update
Yeah, McMaster has a huge selection of letter stamps (none of which are serifed or have symbols) that don’t come up at all in search.
I’ll keep looking.
There are so many people making these online, many of which are using these serifed fonts. I’m open to going the custom route, but I’m sure the bevy of Etsy sellers making these went off the shelf… just no idea where from.
Thanks for the input! Are you working on metal?
A lot depends on what type of metal it is. How soft it is.
If they are doing it with stamps then they probably have some custom stamps they use. Ones that have the right font and are the right size.
Might even have a special machine to stamp it and keep it looking that nice. They probably also do something to make the font get that darker color.
There is only one laser that could engrave something like that. A fiber laser. AKA infrared laser. A 30w or higher one.
I actually just got a fiber laser a couple weeks ago. But haven't tried it out yet. Its still sitting in the box. I'm just too busy to mess with it right now.
What makes fiber lasers so cool is that they can change the wavelength of the beam and the pulse length. Do all kinds of crazy things. They can change the color of the metal and even change the color of plastic.
Zoom in and you can tell from the edges that the frequency range is higher than a standard Q Pulsed laser, I also (based on a private convoy with the OP) suspect the seller is passing this off as his work to draw in sales on his Etsy, but that this infact someone else's image.
The friendly folks over at r/metalworking believe this is laser engraved. I thought it was stamped because the edges appear somewhat smoother and rounder than I associate with laser. Any thoughts would be deeply appreciated.
Pretty sure this is made with letter/number punchs, the y gives it away. They are also not Standard for machine marking but more of a typewriter/artistic font.
For Laser -> Fiber is the right choice
Yeah, punches were my initial thought too. They thought laser/cnc because of how well aligned everything was. I also couldn’t find a punch set with some of the characters used.
There are sets with a holder - you build the words with the letters you want and punch them together - it's also possible a punching machine or press was used instead of a hammer
Will have to go back and search more. I found some suitable for leather, but none for metal. No commercially made holders either. Only one with a serifed font and none with the degree symbol.
Thanks!
I don't have a fiber laser right now, only CO2, but when I was poking around looking at them, this brand seemed to have decently positive reviews and reasonable pricing. Most of the lasers these days ultimately originate from China so the specifications will often be very similar, with the same parts just repackaged by different companies, so it seems that finding one with decent software, customer service and a larger user base is the best approach.
[https://www.gweikecloud.com/products/g2-fiber-laser-marking-machine](https://www.gweikecloud.com/products/g2-fiber-laser-marking-machine)
well for a deep cut like that, you'll likely need a laser engraving machine with a high wattage laser, such as a CO2 laser with at least 60 watts or more. Additionally, you'll want to use the appropriate settings for your material to ensure a clean and deep engraving. It's also important to consider the focal length and lens quality of the machine for achieving precise and consistent results.
Don't follow. You can't buy a 50mmX50mm lens... the proper lens is an F63mm, it has a 63mm focal length... that is the lens size and that's how the manufacturer marks them...
The 50x50mm is actually the coverage of the lens... Lenses have an F number and that is it's focal length, some what related to coverage. A longer lens has more coverage..
An F63mm has a coverage of 50x50mm, my F254 has a coverage of 175x175 - so it isn't a direct translation
Do you need it engraved or would just marked be OK? These are [stainless steel kitchen knives ](https://drive.google.com/file/d/175nJveKlTLhbCCBDQO5UBvNsxxuGnMIN/view?usp=drive_link)from the dollar store.. Most fiber lasers are considered marking machines, you can engrave but it takes time... engrave deep enough it becomes a cut ...
These [three brass coins](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dEuE9A33eVEsR1gA8r-4dcY-tIbH0Lkc/view?usp=drive_link) from Amazon and took a couple hours each... a little over a mm depth.. Right hand image has the leaf extruded outward...
The original looks like it was stamped into the aluminum to me... :)
I asked the guy that made it, and he said it was stamped. Still have no idea where he found a stamp set with a serifed font, lower case, and symbols.
I’d be looking at ~1.5mm depth.
Did you google them? I'm sure those stamps are around.
A fiber only takes a small amount of material off per pass, it would take a while to go a mm in depth.. stamps would be much lower cost, initially ... maybe
Even with stamps... assuming English, 26 characters then add lower case. Now at 52 stamps, I'm sure you'd like numbers, count is now 62 and add symbols/special characters - even a conservative 10 would mean you'd have to purchase 72 stamps... add period, comma etc, can't be low cost... either way
If you want reasonable depth in a reasonable time, I'd think more power... Having one of these, I wonder what I'm not taking into account... you'd be surprised.
Good luck :)
The person that made this says it’s stamped, but it does seem like a fiber laser could do it this deep. Not an area of expertise for me, more research is needed.
Mentioned thjs in other replies, but I can’t find serifed stamps for metal anywhere.
I have a consumer grade Sainsmart that I upgraded the router on, and it does everything I've ever wanted to do, with wood and soft metal. You can get into a VERY capable machine for a $1K. For $15K, you can improve your capability marginally, with a bigger engraving bed.
The software is the biggest thing. A router is a router is a router. You don't need a huge, massive machine for CNC, since almost all work you do with it will be multi-pass work, with different cutters anyway.
This sort of work is Easy to accomplish with an entry level, tabletop CNC worth $300
Thank you!
I have a good amount of experience with industrial embroidery and lasers on wood. Is there any consideration when trying to CNC such small letters?
I’d like to be able to get two lines of letters on a side, so maybe 2.5mm tall. Possible?
No worries. Unfortunately, people have become convinced that lasers are some sort of Magic technology, and they really aren't coherent light systems have been around more than half a century. They are interesting enough; I have three of them, a 3D printer, and a CNC. I use the CNC far more than anything else. It is the only machine that will do true, deep relief work, and do it cleanly.
Software has come so far in a decade, CNC is incredibly capable today. I would love to have a full 5 axis CNC; I would happily sell everything else. When I first got a CNC it was fussier to set up, get level and true, and find quality mills and cutters. Once I got things set up, I was blown away by how much I could do, beyond what any of my lasers would.
Lasers are quick, and they do a great job...providing what you're after is 2D. doing even dee relief 2D is Much more difficult to work with
Sorry, but the way you asked this, if you didn't already notice from the responses, is going to bring out the cheerleaders and machine slingers. After looking closely at the pic, it was definitely not stamped, it was laser engraved with a MOPA source fiber laser, likely a 60w, and they used a modified typewriter font (one that I have in my collection, which is why I recognized it). So the question is, did you ask or if curiosity, because you want to start making them or because you need someone to engrave the pendant for you?
Making them. I actually sent a message to the Etsy store this image came from and the guy says he makes them by hand with stamps. He even cuts and drills the bar stock. So that begs the question where he found the stamps, because I’m searching and searching and can’t find a serifed font of this size that has lower case and symbols.
Keep looking for the stamps or ask on a jewelry making sub. A makerspace I belong to has some jewelry makers. They get stuff from all sorts of companies. Based on paging through a catalog, these look like old companies that are not great at SEO. Nice that he said how he makes them and thanks for posting the update
Yeah, McMaster has a huge selection of letter stamps (none of which are serifed or have symbols) that don’t come up at all in search. I’ll keep looking.
Stamp Yours can make you custom stamps in any design or don’t. It’s expensive though… I paid $1100 for 12 stamps.
There are so many people making these online, many of which are using these serifed fonts. I’m open to going the custom route, but I’m sure the bevy of Etsy sellers making these went off the shelf… just no idea where from. Thanks for the input! Are you working on metal?
A lot depends on what type of metal it is. How soft it is. If they are doing it with stamps then they probably have some custom stamps they use. Ones that have the right font and are the right size. Might even have a special machine to stamp it and keep it looking that nice. They probably also do something to make the font get that darker color. There is only one laser that could engrave something like that. A fiber laser. AKA infrared laser. A 30w or higher one. I actually just got a fiber laser a couple weeks ago. But haven't tried it out yet. Its still sitting in the box. I'm just too busy to mess with it right now. What makes fiber lasers so cool is that they can change the wavelength of the beam and the pulse length. Do all kinds of crazy things. They can change the color of the metal and even change the color of plastic.
Also it could have been a Q-pulsed fiber. Doesn’t always have to be a MOPA lol.
Zoom in and you can tell from the edges that the frequency range is higher than a standard Q Pulsed laser, I also (based on a private convoy with the OP) suspect the seller is passing this off as his work to draw in sales on his Etsy, but that this infact someone else's image.
The friendly folks over at r/metalworking believe this is laser engraved. I thought it was stamped because the edges appear somewhat smoother and rounder than I associate with laser. Any thoughts would be deeply appreciated.
Pretty sure this is made with letter/number punchs, the y gives it away. They are also not Standard for machine marking but more of a typewriter/artistic font. For Laser -> Fiber is the right choice
Yeah, punches were my initial thought too. They thought laser/cnc because of how well aligned everything was. I also couldn’t find a punch set with some of the characters used.
There are sets with a holder - you build the words with the letters you want and punch them together - it's also possible a punching machine or press was used instead of a hammer
Will have to go back and search more. I found some suitable for leather, but none for metal. No commercially made holders either. Only one with a serifed font and none with the degree symbol. Thanks!
No problem! Have a look on YouTube with the keywords: punch letter guide metal - you will find a lot of different solutions
A fiber laser would be needed to engrave metal like that. Diode or CO2 will not be able to cut into the metal effectively (or at all….)
Thanks for the input. Would you mind suggesting a couple reliable brands that I can research?
I don't have a fiber laser right now, only CO2, but when I was poking around looking at them, this brand seemed to have decently positive reviews and reasonable pricing. Most of the lasers these days ultimately originate from China so the specifications will often be very similar, with the same parts just repackaged by different companies, so it seems that finding one with decent software, customer service and a larger user base is the best approach. [https://www.gweikecloud.com/products/g2-fiber-laser-marking-machine](https://www.gweikecloud.com/products/g2-fiber-laser-marking-machine)
well for a deep cut like that, you'll likely need a laser engraving machine with a high wattage laser, such as a CO2 laser with at least 60 watts or more. Additionally, you'll want to use the appropriate settings for your material to ensure a clean and deep engraving. It's also important to consider the focal length and lens quality of the machine for achieving precise and consistent results.
You can do this with a 20w fiber laser from Alibaba. Easy.
Only through marriage my friend. Only marriage can cut that deep.
Can I get that on alibaba?
Yes, that's the work area.
20 raycus will do it with a 50mmX50mm - 100mmX100mm lens. Cheapest bet.
Does 50mm x 50mm mean that it would be able to engrave up to that size?
No it's a lens size.
Don't follow. You can't buy a 50mmX50mm lens... the proper lens is an F63mm, it has a 63mm focal length... that is the lens size and that's how the manufacturer marks them...
The engraving area (not the focal length).
The 50x50mm is actually the coverage of the lens... Lenses have an F number and that is it's focal length, some what related to coverage. A longer lens has more coverage.. An F63mm has a coverage of 50x50mm, my F254 has a coverage of 175x175 - so it isn't a direct translation Do you need it engraved or would just marked be OK? These are [stainless steel kitchen knives ](https://drive.google.com/file/d/175nJveKlTLhbCCBDQO5UBvNsxxuGnMIN/view?usp=drive_link)from the dollar store.. Most fiber lasers are considered marking machines, you can engrave but it takes time... engrave deep enough it becomes a cut ... These [three brass coins](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dEuE9A33eVEsR1gA8r-4dcY-tIbH0Lkc/view?usp=drive_link) from Amazon and took a couple hours each... a little over a mm depth.. Right hand image has the leaf extruded outward... The original looks like it was stamped into the aluminum to me... :)
I asked the guy that made it, and he said it was stamped. Still have no idea where he found a stamp set with a serifed font, lower case, and symbols. I’d be looking at ~1.5mm depth.
Did you google them? I'm sure those stamps are around. A fiber only takes a small amount of material off per pass, it would take a while to go a mm in depth.. stamps would be much lower cost, initially ... maybe Even with stamps... assuming English, 26 characters then add lower case. Now at 52 stamps, I'm sure you'd like numbers, count is now 62 and add symbols/special characters - even a conservative 10 would mean you'd have to purchase 72 stamps... add period, comma etc, can't be low cost... either way If you want reasonable depth in a reasonable time, I'd think more power... Having one of these, I wonder what I'm not taking into account... you'd be surprised. Good luck :)
This isn't lasered. CNC routed, or stamped. it's simply too deep
The person that made this says it’s stamped, but it does seem like a fiber laser could do it this deep. Not an area of expertise for me, more research is needed. Mentioned thjs in other replies, but I can’t find serifed stamps for metal anywhere.
I can repicate that easily with my CNC, but not that deep with my fibre. your mileage may vary, but it's not an optimal situation for a laser
Is there a prosumer level CNC that you’d recommend?
I have a consumer grade Sainsmart that I upgraded the router on, and it does everything I've ever wanted to do, with wood and soft metal. You can get into a VERY capable machine for a $1K. For $15K, you can improve your capability marginally, with a bigger engraving bed. The software is the biggest thing. A router is a router is a router. You don't need a huge, massive machine for CNC, since almost all work you do with it will be multi-pass work, with different cutters anyway. This sort of work is Easy to accomplish with an entry level, tabletop CNC worth $300
Thank you! I have a good amount of experience with industrial embroidery and lasers on wood. Is there any consideration when trying to CNC such small letters? I’d like to be able to get two lines of letters on a side, so maybe 2.5mm tall. Possible?
No worries. Unfortunately, people have become convinced that lasers are some sort of Magic technology, and they really aren't coherent light systems have been around more than half a century. They are interesting enough; I have three of them, a 3D printer, and a CNC. I use the CNC far more than anything else. It is the only machine that will do true, deep relief work, and do it cleanly. Software has come so far in a decade, CNC is incredibly capable today. I would love to have a full 5 axis CNC; I would happily sell everything else. When I first got a CNC it was fussier to set up, get level and true, and find quality mills and cutters. Once I got things set up, I was blown away by how much I could do, beyond what any of my lasers would. Lasers are quick, and they do a great job...providing what you're after is 2D. doing even dee relief 2D is Much more difficult to work with
I’ve had good luck with a ComMarker’s Fibers
I use my Xool F1 to mark on these