Hi all, I have a cutting board I’m making for a friend’s wedding, I’d like to engrave it and then I’ll do the brass powder/thin CA glue trick for inlay. No clue how to use a laser or CNC, I’m leaving for the wedding at 4am Thursday, if anyone is free sometime tomorrow (Tuesday) for an assist. Happy to compensate you for your time, I can provide the inital text file. I’m free anytime after 3:30pm to work on the project if anyone is available. (Also I know this is last minute so if no one is available I completely understand)
Sounds like a cool project! A few cautions though in case this is meant to be more than decorative:
People often cut or engrave materials that produce toxic byproducts in the laser. The wood will be exposed to trace amounts of these when engraved, which wouldn’t be ideal. The CNC would be much cleaner for creating an inlay shape.
Brass is generally not food safe. Solid brass needs to be coated with tin or other safer materials to avoid leaching zinc into nearby acidic foods, and some sources of brass are contaminated with lead. CA glue is fine for contact with food, but if the cutting board is being used and small pieces of the glue/brass are detached by the knife and make it into the food, that could pose a problem.
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I agree with Martin. Typically I put designs on the under side of a board (with feet so it’s clear what side is down) and then store it on its side with the underside facing out.
I can help you with the small CNC if you’re free at 6 pm tomorrow.
Thank you Martin and Michael - agreed, the plan was to put the inlay on the bottom, but using the feet to make sure they don’t mix up the sides is a great idea, thanks!
@Iammikecohen that would be incredibly appreciated, I will be there at 6! Do I need to reserve time in the woodshop? (not certified on CNC but I didn’t know if I also needed a reserved slot somewhere in the shop at the same time)
Is there anything I can do ahead of time to help make tomorrow go as smooth as possible? As a new user I can’t attach the PDF I made for a template but I do have one which is dimensioned accurately to the cutting board
@Iammikecohen thank you again for the help! Here’s a pic of the finished product!
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