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I got a cheap laser engraver as a Father's Day present and have started put it to good use making Christmas presents. The cutting board is made from a solid piece of 7/8" ash with some great figuring and color. It is 11"X18" and the hole in the corner is a 1 3/8 inch hole.

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Well, I like the cheese board, but you guys sure got hosed on the football front this year.
Win the Big Ten, don't get into the national championship picture, can't even go to the Rose Bowl since they confiscated it for the playoffs.

I'm a big Penn State fan, and at least last year we got to go to the Rose Bowl. You guys got ripped. The NCAA is WAY too overwhelmed with the SEC…and I retired down here.
 

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THEY are OSU fans. I went to Ohio University. Beyond not liking it when anyone isn't completely ripped off by back room deal making, I don't really care about OSU. But I do care about the people getting the cutting board so I laser things I think they will like. Thanks for commenting though. I had no idea they got ripped off like that. Now I have something to throw out as a conversation starter once they have a few cocktails in them. I do enjoy a good rant.
 

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G'day THDC... yagottagettashortaname… The size of the laser is not up for contention… it's how you use it that counts.

Welcome to the ever increasing minority group of laserers…

You didn't give too many details of your engraving so I can only guessume and if I may, make a suggestion, please.

Wood is a great germ killer, however, the depression from engraving (especially with several passes) is a great food trap and unless the missus always does the washing… well… when left to me.. those little grey furry beasties seem to take up residence in the hollows of the laser kerf.

May I suggest a water based wood filler (with an extra depth of 1 or 2 pass) to fill in the gap and sand flush. You can get some great food colourings to get a great colour mix or just stick to a good contrasting fill. A coat of food safe oil seals the water based filler…
 

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Looks really nice. Any details on the laser engraver you used?

- Scott
Scott-

I got a EleksMaker A5 Pro 2500mW Violet Laser Engraver CNC Printer - 2500MW from GearBest.com. It was about $250, but I found a coupon online that dropped the price to $225, but then there was a surprise import tariff that jacked the price another $40. So I ended up paying $265. I had a friend who was going to buy the same one from them last month and when he got to checkout they said it no longer shipped to the US. But we found a very similar one on Amazon for about $300. His has a larger "printing" area. Mine is 13 cm X 20 cm (about 5" X 7.75"). My friend's has a printable area of 13.75 X 19.5 inches. They are both Chinese made and come with no instructions at all. There are YouTube videos that show you how to set them up (they come unassembled) but we are still trying to figure out what exactly each of the settings does. But they are fun. I have been making Wooden Booze Bottles with custom engraved labels that have been a big hit at work (White elephant gifts). I'll see if I can't post one of them tonight.
 

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LittleBlackDuck-Interestingly, our names on here have exactly the same number of letters. Perhaps that's how you know I need to shorten my name. Good insights on the germ issue. I am thinking they will likely use this one mostly as a decorative piece or a serving tray. But you are right, it is something to think about. After I made it and showed it to my wife she scrunched her face up and said "I thought you were going to make it in the shape of Ohio." Of course she is right. I was going to, but you know, I forgot. That would have certainly landed it in the "for display purposes only" category. I like the idea of filling it in but I might mix wood glue, sawdust, and dye. Do you think that would work just as well? I also bought a pound of brass powder for almost exactly that same purpose. That doesn't work so well on a cutting board but I am thinking about using it as a signature element on some projects. Thanks for the tips.
 

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Aha… But I don't have to spell out my name and when I'm running low on ink I just LBD it…

Glue, sawdust and dye would be more durable (waterproof) than water based wood filler. It's just that wood filler is easier to sand.

Brass powder should not be too hard on knives, especially if it was just below surface level, however, as you suggested, it would serve better as signature elements… engrave your initials/signature in a corner and brass fill. If you use brass, try a sample of brass and CA… I have used that combo on pen engravings (using a rotary attachment)...
 

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OH IO Go Bucks!!!!!!!

You have good taste in friends :)
 
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