Diamond Gals Posted May 18, 2009 Report Share Posted May 18, 2009 Hey there we have a sandblaster machine in the corner of our workshop which we do not make the most off. the other day we engraved a pint tankard with bold writing with infill and it took the engraver 2 hours to engrave. Absolutely fantastic finish and very pleased with the job but could put the engraver to better use. when we have used the sandblaster in the past we use the vinly machine to cut the templates then have to pic all the letters out before sticking to object, this is very fiddleeeee and time consumimg, but i have heard of a film that you can print onto fix to the glass and then sandblast, does anyone have any contacts or what it is called? look forward to hearing from you mel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Posted May 18, 2009 Report Share Posted May 18, 2009 If you want to make your own masks, speak with Crystal Galleries about the kit needed. I'd recommend their green film (Can't remember the proper name, but they know it as the green stuff too!) where you don't need to wash out the film, just expose it and stick it down. They also do a purple film which needs the washing out. You'd need an exposure unit either way. Personally, I think this is the way to go, but you need to spend a bit on the exposure unit. If you want someone else to do your masks, I'd recommend The Glass Scribe. They do a paper version which is ideal for text, plus have the capability to make other masks too. Have a chat either of them, they're nice chaps and will point you in the right direction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diamond Gals Posted May 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 18, 2009 cheers for that will get on to them right away. thanks mel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gray Posted May 18, 2009 Report Share Posted May 18, 2009 I've had a sandblast setup for 12 years now. I used to make my own stencils, print design or text onto vellum, copy onto film in uv cabinet, wash out, dry in microwave, apply spray adhesive and blast. To be honest it was so time consuming I knocked making stencils on the head.Unless you want to offer a same day service forget it. I now order my self adhesive stencils from Crystal Galleries, they arrive next day and are really easy to use and blast out easily, even intricate designs. They are not expensive. I charge £8.00 for the first word and a £1 for each word after. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kev Posted May 18, 2009 Report Share Posted May 18, 2009 I make stencils out of "the green stuff" 12p per square inch, plus vat n p&p Kev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gray Posted May 18, 2009 Report Share Posted May 18, 2009 How does it work Kev, do you need a lazer printer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kev Posted May 18, 2009 Report Share Posted May 18, 2009 Dead easy. Print a B&W "negative" onto a clear film. Then expose onto "the green stuff" (PS14 rapidmask) in a UV lightbox for about 60 secs. It then works as graham described above. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diamond Gals Posted May 19, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2009 hey Kev this clear film is this from high street stationers or is that specialised toooo? cheers mel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Gardner Posted May 19, 2009 Report Share Posted May 19, 2009 i dont have a sand blasting cabinet how much would that cost and where best to get it as i have a uv box that i could use to make stencils with the green stuff. thanks Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gray Posted May 19, 2009 Report Share Posted May 19, 2009 Craig, Crystal Galleries do them and i thought Standard did them but i can't find any on their website. There are loads on Ebay but I don't know if they would work with the fine medium you need for glass engraving or if they would have the extraction needed for you too see for fine blasting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kev Posted May 19, 2009 Report Share Posted May 19, 2009 We use the Crystal Galleries cabinet. Very easy to use, thumbs up from me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithm Posted May 20, 2009 Report Share Posted May 20, 2009 Due to poor demand, we stopped making the Pro-Etching Cabinet some 4 years ago! Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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