Completed Window Etching

[krm197]

I decided upon an image from megatokyo (online web comic) as the basis for my window etching. Looks pretty sweet, although I'm getting some blue cathodes in soon, so should look even better then

Side Panel by itself

Side Panel w/ light on

The second pic doesn't really do justice to how cool it looks. Plus the light seems orange from the camera...

 

[grim]

looks sweet nice job

 

[cwb27]

Try putting LEDs along the perimeter, the light will travel through the plastic and only show up on the etched areas. Nice job!

 

[jacheatamobits]

wait, hold the phone!!!

did you etch that by hand?

what did you use?

i was thinking about just drawing a pic on that material, (whatever they use)

a REAL etching shows up real real bright when you use LED's

 

[krm197]

No, I printed out an outline of an existing pic, and just taped it to the back. I used an etching bit with a dremel.

 

[Spiked]

very nice!

 

[weponhead]

which size bit did you use? the 105 , 107 or 109? i just got a 105 yesterday ... much easier to handle than the 109

 

[DaveSauce]

you definately want to use the round heads, unless you have some VERY fine lines to etch.

And about the LEDs. Do you mean line them up around the side, or use them fiber-optic style and have them shining INTO the side of the plastic?

 

[krm197]

I did indeed use the smallest round bit. Except for the kanji on the side, where I used the largest, simply because of the large area I needed to do.

I think he probably means go the fiber-optic route, as the light would really bounce off the etching and make it stand out.

 

[DaveSauce]

how deep is your etching? That's where I think fiber-optic would fail.....not much to reflect off, being that mine is merely a surface scratch. I wouldn't think that light from the side would catch on it.....but then again, i'm no physics major, so bah. Either way, I dont have enough space to use it as fiber optic......my window butts up right against the edge of my door....lol, my window is huge...

damn cold cathodes havent shipped yet.....****ing me off. called yesterday, they said they would ship yesterday. They didn't. Called today, they said they would ship today....they didn't. Now they're telling me they will ship monday........they better.

 

[Oni]

I decided upon an image from megatokyo (online web comic) as the basis for my window etching. Looks pretty sweet, although I'm getting some blue cathodes in soon, so should look even better then

Side Panel by itself
[ IMG]http://www.theforumisdown.com/uploadfiles/1102/2DSC00808.jpg [ /IMG]

Side Panel w/ light on
[ IMG]http://www.theforumisdown.com/uploadfiles/1102/2DSC00811.jpg[ /IMG]

The second pic doesn't really do justice to how cool it looks. Plus the light seems orange from the camera...

You are now officially the coolest person I have ever encountered. Can I have your manbaby (not gay)?

Are you going to email those pics to Fred?

 

[weponhead]

Kanji meaning the writing? "symbols" .. oh and any tips to keep t he dremel from "kicking" while etching?

 

[krm197]

The method I found that worked best was to guide the dremel away from my body as I etched. This also allows the etching to stand out really well, and appear "white". If you pull the dremel towards you, it has a tendency to kick up acrylic, and the etching doesn't show up as well.

 

[Mikey7]

I just finished my first window etching (pic not available yet). I used some hand etching tools. cost about $30 at the local hobby shop. The etching does not have to be very deep at all to pick up LED edge lighting. What I have found tho is that I am going to have to use 3 or 4 leds spaced around the window to get a good balance. haven't got that worked out yet. Anybody got a good idea about how to mount the LEDS along the edges?

 

[Ghastard]

Very nice job. I agree with the edge LED idea, that would definately make it stand out.

 

[DarkHawk]

Could try using those Lazer LED's from Crazy PC Mods, the have three really bright ones that spread out along a nice arc, could use 2 of em and place one on the top and one on the bottom....would be really bright and you wouldn't need to run the CC all the time.

 

[faaip]

so nice. i want one toooooo!!