Etching aluminium scales (scale maille)

[she_is_evil]

SO, i want to try and etch some aluminium scales, but im a noob att this
so i thought id ask about what settings to use, will the GF pick up the
slight curved surface?

[jbpa]

You can’t etch aluminum directly. Unless it is anodized–in which case you will etch the coating off of the aluminum–you will need some sort of chemical to etch the surface. Try Moly-Lube, Cermark, or something like this:

Both Mustard & Straight Vinegar INDEED etch stainless..perfectly! See ya Ceramark

OK. I had to try it, but it still needs refining and testing. I know you guys will pick up where I left off! I read about people using Ceramark and the like (and how expensive it is) to etch steel. I also saw the people joking about mustard and the youtube video of him doing it. I had to try it… and it worked! I dabbed mustard (plain ole yellow) and also soaked a cheap paper towel in cleaning strength white vinegar since I assumed that is what is creating the reaction in mustard to start wit…

[she_is_evil]

they are anodized so i want to just etch off that so to say.

[jbpa]

Anodized Aluminum

Not all anodized aluminum is created equal. A couple weeks ago I did 90/225 (I think I remember that correctly) with @PrintToLaser. The aluminum I was using was probably a different coating method than you have, but I don’t know how that effects settings. You might get by with a bit less than that.

[markwal]

The continuous autofocus is not yet a feature of the Glowforge. I believe it is still a “to-do”.

The curved surface may still work depending on how much curvature you have and how tolerant you are of the result from having the beam somewhat defocused (fatter and less power) which will give it a faded blurry appearance to a degree varying with the distance from the lens.