I've been lurking on this group for several years on and off, and have
gathered quite a bit of great advice from you guys. Thanks to all who have
helped me learn, and probably didn't even know it! :)
I retired a bit over a year ago, and have been upgrading my tooling and
tinkering about in the shop. One of the tools I got was a major dream
machine that I thought I'd never have the opportunity to own . . . A LASER
ENGRAVER! I took the plunge, and bought an Epilog Mini Helix laser engraver
with all the bells and whistles. The thing is amazing in how it helps my
woodworking projects. I can do all types of personalizing from ornamental
inlays and scrimshaw to photo engraving into the wood, name engraving or
even engraving into glass windows for boxes and cabinets. It allows me to
make extremely precise templates for routing, sawing or carving using
plexiglass. I've even seen these lasers used to produce plastic and metal
plates plaques and signs, or even rubber stamps and rubber masks for sand
blasting or painting. Nice way to mark your work. At any rate, the thing can
do pretty much anything your imagination can produce.
I am first and foremost . . . RETIRED, and plan to stay that way. I'm not
looking to produce huge runs of items for commercial applications. Epilog
will be glad to refer you to someone who is in business for that type of
thing. I'm just looking to do a good turn to some other woodworkers who need
some laser time. If you have a project that could benefit by using a laser
(such as a custom template or personalization of a project) let me know. I
am in the Maryland area, and even though I have a very busy schedule, I can
probably fit you in . . . between naps and coffee breaks . . . and
playtimes!
Retirement is a wonderful way of life!
Kevin
[email protected]