ironplanet uk900 Posted February 8, 2007 Report Share Posted February 8, 2007 Try using a cutter instead of a drag diamond on your Zippo's. they look fab. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kobblers Posted February 8, 2007 Report Share Posted February 8, 2007 looks great that uk. will try that did you need to use a lubricant? rick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironplanet uk900 Posted February 8, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2007 looks great that uk. will try that did you need to use a lubricant?rick. No lube Rick, just a sharp cutter. looks great, customers are really impressed. By the way The Pig engraved it. We nearly always do em this way, repeat orders come when they show their mates in the pub. because it is more impressive than a drag diamond. especially on brushed chrome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Iain Cheall Posted February 9, 2007 Report Share Posted February 9, 2007 that looks great 900 I will have to try that myself Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh-Candoit (ENG) Posted February 9, 2007 Report Share Posted February 9, 2007 It looks far more artistic going corner to corner, nice job, 3d effect rather than scratched on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
x minit uk Posted February 9, 2007 Report Share Posted February 9, 2007 Try using a cutter instead of a drag diamond on your Zippo's. they look fab. I am a real novice with engraving and only have a little gem, would you use the nose cone with this cutter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironplanet uk900 Posted February 9, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2007 Yes, But be sure to use Ticky Tape if its a high polished finish, because the cone might scratch the surface, leaving a ghosting effect around the letters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
x minit uk Posted February 9, 2007 Report Share Posted February 9, 2007 Yes, But be sure to use Ticky Tape if its a high polished finish, because the cone might scratch the surface, leaving a ghosting effect around the letters. Right thanks, will give it a go on an old zippo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenB Posted February 10, 2007 Report Share Posted February 10, 2007 By Ticky Tape, do you mean masking tape, or similar? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironplanet uk900 Posted February 10, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 10, 2007 No, its available from Gravograph, its much better than masking tape etc, it doesn't clog up your nose cone and only the engraved bits come away. ensuring the cone never touches the serface of the job Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenB Posted February 12, 2007 Report Share Posted February 12, 2007 Aah, I see. Just goes to show you are always learning on the forum! Would you also use this on jobs such as brass plates, or do you do those without the nosecone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironplanet uk900 Posted February 12, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2007 You can use this on brass plaques aswell steve, But if your machine is level then theres no need for the nosecone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenB Posted February 12, 2007 Report Share Posted February 12, 2007 To be honest I bought the IS400 to alleviate the problem of getting the plate level enough, but seem to be struggling so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironplanet uk900 Posted February 12, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2007 Are you saying your bed is not level steven... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenB Posted February 12, 2007 Report Share Posted February 12, 2007 My engraving machine bed is as level as you can see in the photo: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hibsjo(SCO) Posted February 12, 2007 Report Share Posted February 12, 2007 Thats the same problem I had with the m40g and was "unfixable " to quote Gravo engineer. theyve taken it away? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironplanet uk900 Posted February 12, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2007 Thats why I endorse the 400's because it is easy to solve this problem, I can't speak for the m40g as I haven't used one,,, But if this machine can't be levelled up you'll have to use a nose cone. Why have they taken it away if its unfixable, whats the next step. If they have taken it away I presume they are addressing the problem?? If they are addressing the problem then its unfair to give such a vague account of the problem. I will ask michel if this is unfixable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hibsjo(SCO) Posted February 12, 2007 Report Share Posted February 12, 2007 It was unfixable in the words of the engineer.(he couldnt fix it on site in front of me?) Ive been left with the reps machine which does the job it says it does on the tin The machine I bought in my opinion was unfit for sale under the Sales of goods act which Wherever goods are bought they must "conform to contract". This means they must be as described, fit for purpose and of satisfactory quality (i.e. not inherently faulty at the time of sale). So Im not being vague, as Im trying to keep up with things as we go along. Michel has been a man true to his word and I cant fault his efforts but "they" still sold me a pile of M40g We will see how things turn out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironplanet uk900 Posted February 12, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2007 Sorry Hibs, I didn't word the post well. what I was getting at is the fact that you didn't mention they'd left you with a machine while they fixed the "unfixable" problem. This is good service in my opinion, and it would have been fairer on the company involved if you'd mentioned the fact that they were dealing with the problem in the correct manner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kev Posted February 13, 2007 Report Share Posted February 13, 2007 This has been a common problem for me over the years, its happened on nearly every machine I've used. First thing to check is the the thickness of the material, using a micrometer. Even though the acrylic is sold at 1.6mm thick, it usually varies quite considerably. This is a massive factor when engraving at such fine depths as 0.2 of a mm and has been the cause of many a problem for myself. As far as the level bed goes, I always "skim" the surface of the bed. Using a very wide cutter and programming a filled rectangle the same size as the bed. It takes a while, but always guarantees the bed will be level with the cutting spindle. I have found this is the only way you can get the bed to be perfectly aligned with the spindle on these types of machine. Be careful - only skim at depths of 0.2mm at a time. You will find quite a large difference in depths at different places on the bed. Repeat the skim, unit all of the bed has had some of its surface skimmed away! Hope this helps! Kev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenB Posted February 13, 2007 Report Share Posted February 13, 2007 Blimey, that's a radical approach! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironplanet uk900 Posted February 13, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 13, 2007 I totally agree with Kev, But only on certain machines. Don't go into skimming your engraving bed without consulting your manufacturer!! It may effect your guarentee & future service!! Back to Steves machine the is400, this machine can be levelled manually and I wouldn't recommend skimming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenB Posted February 13, 2007 Report Share Posted February 13, 2007 Don't worry, for one I'll sort it with Gravograph first, and for two, I don't think I'm brave enough to try such a radical solution! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironplanet uk900 Posted February 13, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 13, 2007 Its nothing major steve, and can be sorted easily looking at your picture you only need to adjust one point. the bed is held on by 3 points, 2 nearest the head of the machine, and one nearest to you as you stand facing your machine. take out the screw that holds the bed in place, and you will see a brass insert that can be screwed up or down, this will alter the tilt that you seem to have.(looking at you picture) try turning the brass insert half a turn anti clock wise, this will certainly make the problem better, then try it out, you should be able to cure it with a little trial and error. Hope this helps. Get to know your machine as best you can, you will get more confident & be able to sort most problems yourself, instead of getting frustrated and stressed and wanting to hit out at manufacturers who can't possibly be at everyones beck and call 24/7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kev Posted February 13, 2007 Report Share Posted February 13, 2007 Yes UK you're right. I should have mentioned that all the machines I'd skimmed were at least 10 years old. I remember one of my old bosses walking in on me skimming the machine once - he was absolutley livid about what I was doing to his machine that he'd paid so much for! Although, to be fair, he did congratulate me once he saw the effect it had on the engraving afterwards and insisted I skimmed it once a year from then on! Yes, a radical solution it may be - a great one for those with machines that are over a certain age and out of warranty, but probably not the correct one in this circumstance. Try the micrometer on the material too - you'll be amazed at some of the variation over a small area Kev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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