Bachin Laser Basics

Engraver Master is the default software that comes with a Bachin diode laser engraver.  While there are many other options out there, this one is pretty simple to use while you get things figured out.  In this post, I'll walk you through how to upload an external image to the software and get it ready to engrave. See the Bachin Diode Laser Engraver here. If you have not yet created an image file, see this post for instructions on how to do that. Now that we have the image file created, we need to upload it to the software to burn.  When you open Engraver Master, the home screen looks like this. This screen shows four tabs at the top: Print Picture, NC Sender, Quick Tagging, and Device Settings.  I use all but Quick Tagging quite regularly to prepare an image to go.  Also on this screen is the tool used to position the laser head before starting.  That tool is on the left side of the screen with the buttons X+, X-, Y+, and Y-.  We will use those ...

  On this thread, I'll be posting the different projects I do as part of my cutting board business.  I primarily use this laser to customize the cutting boards I engrave.  Most of my business comes from realtors and title agents that order batches of 15-20 at a time.  To save space, I'll probably only post one or two from those orders.  This is a collection of the different projects I've done with the settings and sizes of the different pieces (newest at the top).  Enjoy!  October 8, 2020 This is a cutting board being used as a closing gift.  The main stripe is sapele, framed by two thin cherry stripes, and the majority of the board is made from maple.  The board measures 9"x15" and the engraving is sized at 65mmx112mm.  Settings were 2100 speed and 100% power.  The burn took 5 minutes 44 seconds.

 When I got my Bachin laser , I did a lot of experimenting to get my settings down.  Playing with speed and power are the two ways to dial in the color of the burn, but depending on the wood species and design of the product, speed and power can change for each burn.   Here are the settings I use 90% of the time: Now even though you have those, there's a couple things you have to take into account with each burn.  Sometimes, you are burning an image across multiple species of wood.  The burn will not come out even unless you lower the speed to around 40% and hit it with 100% power.  And even if you do that, it's not going to look good.  Be prepared to see the burn look different on each species.  So what speed/power combinations do you use in this situation?  Pick the species that is the lightest in color and go with that.   I figured these numbers out a couple ways.  The first was just by plain trial and error.  I wo...

 On this thread, I'll be posting the different projects I do for my friend Courtney Hinson.  Courtney is retired Air Force, with multiple deployments and accolades to his name.  He started Warrior Leatherworks as an outlet after his time in the military.  He makes leather journal covers, and I do the custom laser work on each one.  Since most of his clients are former military friends of his, you will see many symbols pertaining to his time in the Air Force.  This is a collection of the different projects I've done for him with the settings and sizes of the different pieces (newest at the top).  Enjoy!  October 6, 2020 This is the front cover for the book.  The quote is by Buddha, and the customer's last name is listed.  The quote, name, and font were all selected by the customer.  The font is called Blackadder ITC. (Settings: 3000 speed, 50% power, line mode) Awarded by United States Armed Forces, The Parachutist Badge, also common...

 Engraver Master is the default software that comes with a Bachin diode laser engraver .  While there are many other options out there, this one is pretty simple to use while you get things figured out.  In this post, I'll walk you through how to create an external image and get it ready to upload to the software. Step 1: Find the image you want. The first step in all of this is to find the image you want.  If it's something out on the internet, make sure it is a free-use image.  If you are creating your own image, there are a lot of design software programs to do that.  Personally, I like to use Microsoft Publisher.  I use it a lot to create documents and images for work, so it makes sense to me to use it.  If you have another program to create images, that's great.  These steps should still work for you. Find Microsoft Publisher in the lower left of a PC by typing in "Publisher".  In Publisher, I create/upload the image on a blank page...

 Welcome! In February of 2019, I purchased a 2.5w Bachin desktop diode laser engraver .  I purchased it to enhance my cutting board business.  I wanted to be able to customize boards for clients, and hopefully expand the services I was able to offer.  Since then, I have spent countless hours testing, experimenting, and playing with it to make it work for engraving wood.  I have had many people ask about my experience, so I though I'd write it all down here and share the knowledge I've gained.  Enjoy!