Recent content by Goldjockey

  1. Goldjockey

    Rolex Service

    Huge thanks to Sam Alfano, for taking on my 1970s 1675 Rolex GMT Master. The watch had been on my wrist virtually every day since 1978 until it finally stopped running completely a couple of years ago, and boy did I miss it. I had poked around for some time looking for competent repair service...
  2. Goldjockey

    Rolex Service

    Thanks Tim. I appreciate the lead. Sam has the watch on his bench now, and work is underway. Will post an update and photos when the work is complete.
  3. Goldjockey

    why is there no information on laser machines for marking metal?

    The machine I owned was a Carbide 3D Nomad, a desktop CNC mill (not recommended). I’m not familiar with the machine you’re referencing. I do know from my own research that there are are both desktop CNC machines that will use a diamond drag bit, as well as dedicated diamond drag engraving...
  4. Goldjockey

    why is there no information on laser machines for marking metal?

    Have tried desktop CNC. There's a significant learning curve. The machines can be finicky, the precision isn't always as advertised, and you can quickly go through a lot of expensive bits and burrs to get close to the results you want. It can also be frustratingly slow.
  5. Goldjockey

    Still looking at lasers

    If you're looking at a marking laser for metals, regardless of the company you buy it from a fiber laser is the best option. For your stated purposes a 60 watt is most likely overpowered. I've seen 30 watt units at just over 2K. Whatever you choose, you need a way to get rid of the fumes, and...
  6. Goldjockey

    why is there no information on laser machines for marking metal?

    lol. No luck involved, Monk. The training was part of the package, and while I‘m grateful for it, in retrospect it was also very expensive. Knowing what I know today, I would have opted for a system more suited to my specific needs with far fewer whistles and bells. That being said, most of the...
  7. Goldjockey

    why is there no information on laser machines for marking metal?

    Most consumers are really on their own when it comes to the nuts and bolts of safely operating these machines. The system I use is from an American manufacturer (Laserstar), and comes with an entire in depth online training program, and three days of in person professional hands on instruction...
  8. Goldjockey

    why is there no information on laser machines for marking metal?

    I It’s actually pretty toxic, Ron. The microscopic metal particles created when the laser vaporizes metal can make you very sick.You really need a good fume extraction unit to do anything serious with a laser. Coreldraw is used because the laser works with vector rather than raster files to...
  9. Goldjockey

    why is there no information on laser machines for marking metal?

    Ideally, you’ll have a good fume collection system and you don’t have to smell or breathe whatever is being vaporized.
  10. Goldjockey

    why is there no information on laser machines for marking metal?

    A good fiber laser, 30W or above will mark metal in seconds. These start at around 2K at the very low end, so these are not for someone just dabbling. You will also need a program to trace bitmaps to vectors, and the requisite skills to use both the programs and the laser. Bottom line though...
  11. Goldjockey

    Todays Doodle for Critique

    Yes you can, Mitch. Procreate allows one to rotate by placing two fingers on the drawing and turning it around as with a drawing on paper, with the additional benefit of being able to zoom in or out on a particular portion of the image while rotating. Not recommended for someone just starting...
  12. Goldjockey

    Todays Doodle for Critique

    Draw with whatever you're most comfortable with, Kevin, and don't be afraid to try different things to see what works best for you. Eventually you'll probably move to an iPad running Procreate, but a Number 2 pencil is the perfect tool starting out. It's what I, and most others started with ...
  13. Goldjockey

    Todays Doodle for Critique

    Overall much better. See notes. Keep going.
  14. Goldjockey

    Todays Doodle for Critique

    Good start. However, you‘re rushing to get something out rather than really taking your time to perfect your backbones which are foundational to everything else which follows. Each scroll must flow from the other rather than just being stuck on the top. Patience and perseverance are key. Keep...
  15. Goldjockey

    Todays Doodle for Critique

    A word of advice for this goal, and it’s a good one. Start with one element. A really well drawn scroll backbone, and just the backbone. Right now your work looks like scrambled eggs, and that won’t change until you learn to start with a well drawn backbone. Do nothing else until you perfect...
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