[Rikochet]

Hi all,

Been doing a lot of reading and watching YouTube videos on laser engraving machines.

I am looking for suggestions on a hobby laser to engrave a cork grip for a fly rod I am building.

I have attached a video of what I am trying to create. In the video the material used is maple but I plan on using a more traditional cork grip which is much softer and wont require as much power to engrave.

I am trying to do this with as minimal investment as possible. I am thinking $300-500 for a cheap engraver that would support some sort of rotary attachment.

I am thinking of something like
https://www.amazon.ca/Sale-Makeblock...laser+engraver
with some sort of rotary attachment.
https://www.amazon.com/CNCShop-Attac...ngraver+rotary

Any thoughts on pointing me in the right direction. I know this machine wont support the rotary attachment. I am curious if I can purchase a separate board to add the rotary attachment and use the existing laser and motors.

Thanks

[Jim Dawson]

If this is a one-off project, then having it done by someone that has a laser with a rotary attachment would be the best option. If you live near a larger city, the there is most likely a makerspace or similar, also the local high school or community college may be a possibility.

[Rikochet]

If this is a one-off project, then having it done by someone that has a laser with a rotary attachment would be the best option. If you live near a larger city, the there is most likely a makerspace or similar, also the local high school or community college may be a possibility.

Thanks Jim for the reply.

Ya it does sound like a one-off project, but looking at the coolness factor of being able to laser engrave other items I own and use for other projects I really would like to have my own unit.

I live on the east coast in Canada and being able to use a school or having a marketplace to get someone to engrave the grip for me is highly unlikely.

I am quite decent with computers, software and DIY type of projects.

Winter is fast approaching and I have lots of time to figure this out with some help.

Thanks again

[Rikochet]

How about this laser
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/Mini-DIY-Las...Z~iU:rk:7:pf:0

Replace the controller with

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/3-Axis-USB-G...BUsV:rk:4:pf:0

and add in

https://www.amazon.com/CNCShop-Attac...ngraver+rotary

Other than software would this do the trick for me to engrave a Cork Grip as seen in the video I attached in my first post?

[Jim Dawson]

I can't really say if the laser module itself would do what you want, I'm not a laser guy. But the rest of it looks like it could be made to work together. Looks like a fun project.

[Rikochet]

I can't really say if the laser module itself would do what you want, I'm not a laser guy. But the rest of it looks like it could be made to work together. Looks like a fun project.

Any other laser engraver guys able to chime in with an opinion? A 2500mW laser to engrave cork with decent accuracy.

I also been looking at software and probably would use LaserGRBL, Which I am hoping would drive 3-axis including the rotary.