I've been hunting around for a couple weeks now looking for a laser engraving service to do the inside of a set of rings.
I'm finding $5k machines, places that will only do it if I buy from them, and some sketchy looking websites that offer the service with drop off or mail in, one in Connecticut, one in the Bronx, so not somewhere I can check out in person.
Why laser instead of regular engraving? Laser can do images similar to a vinyl cut, that regular engraver machines can't, and for my purpose, that's important.
The thing is, I'm looking to have the engraving done inside of a set of 00 gauge/10mm stainless ear tunnels. So while a wider surface, it's a narrower diameter than a normal ring and I don't know how that would effect the tooling or if it would.
I'm surprised at the trouble I'm having finding a place actually, but don't know if the machine could actually pay for itself, and I certainly don't have the cash to buy one anyway.
So I guess what I'm asking is, does anyone here have a suggestion on a place to use or look, or maybe have the setup in their garage gathering dust?
mtn
MegaDork
11/25/19 11:52 a.m.
My friends and cousins who have done this have all told me unequivocally it was a waste of money unless you're engraving your phone number. If it is on your finger, you'll never see it. If it isn't on your finger, why are you getting a ring? Laser engrave something that you'll look at every day like the mirror or a picture frame or a toilet seat; the engraving on a ring is a reminder on a reminder. Kinda silly.
I'd suggest looking into companies that engrave weapons. They're more likely to engrave something they aren't selling and they will obsess over visual quality.
T.J.
MegaDork
11/25/19 12:04 p.m.
In reply to mtn :
He said this was the inside of ear gauges. So, unlike a ring on ones finger, these maybe could be seen while wearing. I'd guess you'd have to have good eyes and be fairly close to someone elses ears, but not impossible.
mtn
MegaDork
11/25/19 12:06 p.m.
T.J. said:
In reply to mtn :
He said this was the inside of ear gauges. So, unlike a ring on ones finger, these maybe could be seen while wearing. I'd guess you'd have to have good eyes and be fairly close to someone elses ears, but not impossible.
Ah, my bad.
Well, I still stand by what I said, but it makes a little bit more sense.
It would be difficult with something 10mm in diameter unless the engraving is really narrow or near the edge. The ring would have to be held at a really steep angle which will give the x axis a large slope.
