Glad I picked up extras…helps when you flip the burn lol.
Tomorrow I’ll try my hand at drilling glass for the clock works. Picked up some bits just made for it.
Glad I picked up extras…helps when you flip the burn lol.
Tomorrow I’ll try my hand at drilling glass for the clock works. Picked up some bits just made for it.
Why is it missing some lines that I’m seeing after I was done?
Is this regular glass mirror where you etched on the backside, the reflective surface?
I’ve done this with mirrored acrylic before and then painted what was then clear.
The results can look quite nice and so very precise due to the laser etch.
Please tell us more about the material you used.
Fill- 1000/25, interval - .085, flood fill ON.
Line- 1000/25 with 1 pass
Regular 10x10” mirror from Walmart in the craft section. Laser was used on the back side.
Made the clock in Lightburn at 100mm x 100mm. This way it is always to scale for what ever mirror I use if I have to adjust. Flipped it and then brought the badge in from another project.
Went in and ungrouped all. Had to do this due to some of the layer colors were the same in the clock and badge. 2 in the badge were changed, they were (Lines) and I had the same color that was a (Fill) in the clock. It combines the two and shows them as Line in the layer if you do not check and make the change.
I then regrouped all of it and scaled it to the back of the mirror where I wanted it. Used the clock as center due to marking where I wanted it. 77mm in from right edge and 80mm down from top. Did have to ungroup at this point to move the clock a bit. I left an area open under the clock and to the right of the badge looking at it from the back so I can place the NAME, SERVING SINCE and YEAR.
Went to harbor freight and picked up a 6pk of carbide glass cutting bits. I placed a small section of electrical take over the dot for center and marked center on the tape with a pin before pushing down to cover where I wanted the hole. The tape keeps the bit from moving before starting the hole.
I took a small spray bottle and slowly started the drill. After I seen it was started I sprayed the area and drilled…very lite weight as I drilled. Every once in a while I checked to see if I had broke through… (Do not drill all the way through)…it will chip out the other side. Learn through my mistake lol
Once I had made a small hole on the front of the mirror I flipped it over, sprayed it and very slowly drilled from this side till I made it to the half way point where the hole was already cut.
Cleaned it up and mounted the clock.
On YouTube search (Lightburn Clock). Great video to show how to make the clock for those that are running Lightburn.
I’ve never merged projects but I can see how you’d get layer color conflicts!
For the hole, you basically drilled in from both sides and just got lucky with the centers? Was it just a 0.25" two flute, flat carbide end mill? How many tries did it take to get it right?
Thanks for sharing the details.
On the back of the mirror where you have the dot from a sharpie ( this was marked before laser work, when I measured my 80mm down and 77mm to the right edge when looking at the back of the mirror). Once all the laser work is done lay the tape down and watch closely where the dot is compared to the tape. Mark a dot on the tape so it lines up.
As you are drilling through check the other side and you will see the progress of the bit. This will also give you a chance to spray out the hole and clean up some. When you see that the tip of the bit has came through…about 3-4mm hole, flip the mirror over. Slowly with start to drill from this side now. I placed a scrap section of wood under my mirror while drilling. Drill through until complete.
These are the bits I used from Home Depot. The 5/16 for the clock works I was using. May be different for others but at least I have them all now at a great price. Good reviews on them as well.
It took me 2 times. First one I failed to reverse the image for the clock. 2nd time is when I found out about the glass chipping if you do not drill from both sides. Let the drill do the work and don’t force it.
Tom when I drill glass I use a diamond hole saw. They come in sizes from 3mm to really big.
I have a pan I put scrape wood in the bottom a then fill with water, I submerge them glass and drill with the diamond bit.
Alan Lewis, always scientific and precise.
Alan
Thanks for that info. I did see the round hole bits you spoke of. Do you find a cleaner hole, easier cutting than the bits I showed? Also, are you able to drill all the way through without flipping the glass?
It’s been a long time since I have drilled glass but I never turned the glass over.
/r
Alan
760.420.4767
worked for me, kept from coming out like crap
picked up one of the bits you spoke of. will try it out on the next mirror, be nice not having to flip it every time.