Get stencils made?

[David Mary]

Aside from TUS and Electromark, what are my options, including service providers or individuals who make and sell them per customer images, and DIY options, resources, tutorials? Thanks!

 

[Britt_Askew]

I have Got them from Ernie at Blue Lightning Custom Stencil twice and was happy both times.

 

[N.W. Gean]

My wife has a cricut vinyl cutter that I use to make stencils. It's pretty easy to work with. I think they're a little cheaper than they used to be.

 

[polish avenger]

I have Got them from Ernie at Blue Lightning Custom Stencil twice and was happy both times.

Ernie's son, Bo now runs the stencil biz. Good service, good price, good product.

 

[Cliff Carter Knives]

Hi David, I too was wondering this same thing a while ago. I did a bunch of research on how to cheaply get more customization out of my etching.

Where I landed was lasers. The cheaper way to do it is to buy an inexpensive, low powered laser from Amazon and then cover the area you’re going to mark in nail polish. The laser will burn your design through the nail polish and you can etch the steel underneath. There are several makers on this forum that do that, but I can’t think of their handles.

The other laser option is to go with a fiber laser. Much more expensive, but they can do wild things that the lesser powered lasers can’t. They also don’t need nail polish to work. They will laser engrave the steel directly.

 

[David Mary]

Thanks everyone. Contacted Blue Lightning and awaiting word back.

 

[David Mary]

I never followed up here, but since I am researching this again, I thought I would report. I contacted Bo, gave him some .pdfs of my marks, asked for a quote, and he ghosted me. I ended up going back with TUS, but I am still looking for alternatives.

Cliff Carter Knives I am sending a DM.

 

[SS369]

http://www.img-electromark.com/

 

[David Mary]

http://www.img-electromark.com/

Aside from TUS and Electromark

 

[David Mary]

My wife has a cricut vinyl cutter that I use to make stencils. It's pretty easy to work with. I think they're a little cheaper than they used to be.

I would love to hear more about this, if you don't mind.

 

[SharpBits]

Older threads that might help: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/cricut-maker-for-stencils.1714109/

T Taz in second post mentions the Cricut.

S

Thread 'lazer/engraver to make stencils?'

Dec 22, 2021

I am thinking of getting a laser engraver so I can make my own stencils. I know lasers can not easily mark stainless so I was wondering if anyone makes their own stencils , if so how and if you use a laser are you satisfied with the results. I want to be able to make and mark lots of things. so ordering stencils is not an option.
Thanks in advance . shaker

• shaker
• Replies: 44
• Forum: Shop Talk - BladeSmith Questions and Answers

Also some info on KnifeDogs.

Yes, I'm avoiding thinking about troubling things, so I'm doing searches for stuff I will never need.

 

[N.W. Gean]

I would love to hear more about this, if you don't mind.

I think it's gotten cheaper since then, I see knockoffs around the market, like the silhouette. You can get a little one for about 100 bucks, don't need a big one, we're making tiny stencils here. Vinyl is cheap too. Don't need the fancy stuff. I think transfer tape helps with more complicated logos, it's been awhile since I cut any. Can't reuse the vinyl, the etch ruins it. But it's cheap enough to be one time use on each knife. I had someone else make my logo for it, specifically asked for it to be easy to stencil, since I knew I'd use it for etching.

 

[Jeffinn]

I have a Silhouette and it makes some pretty impressive stencils. As stated above, the stencils are usually done on self sticking vinyl and are a one time use item. The only negative is that the cutters have some problems with intricate patterns so your success depends on the stencil complexity and the size needed.
Jeff

 

[Linus Knives]

I used a cricuit vinyl cutter to try to cut out my stencils. The problem was that my design was too intricate for the cricuit cutter to cut as small as I would have liked.
Recently I got a laser that will laser directly onto the steel (xtool f1) and I really like it!
Yes, a cricuit will work but only for one-time use stencils and only if you're design is not very small.

 

[Crag the Brewer]

David, from what I hear, those self made stencils aren't likely to satisfy you. I briefly looked into them too before using the same stencils as you....
Your DM stencil is fairly intricate, lots of details. I think you need a higher end stencil product.

*I'm watching this link. And look forward to seeing/learning more

I personally think everyone should show their work, so we can gauge how effective your stencils or laser marks look.

 

[Linus Knives]

Here's a picture of mine, I just went out to my shed and grabbed a scrap piece of AEB-L for this test so it's not hardened. This is with 2 passes (about 35 seconds each) on my laser. Dark enough for me.

 

[Linus Knives]

And here's a picture of the whole logo. This is also 2 passes (took 3 min 11 seconds) Again, this is all unhardened but the laser doesn't have any problem with the hardened stuff either.

 

[gps2388]

Electromark/TUS
Hopefully not a naive question, but why not these two sources? Previous experience? I'm looking to upgrade too from the Brother P-touch stencils

 

[navman]

Quick update to this. I initially ordered stencils from TUS, they stencil material works but is a bit thin (the initial purchase also shipped to the wrong address, but that was my fault.). I have since started ordering from IMG. Patricia is the best, and the stencils are thick blue plastic.

 

[Jeffinn]

The thin stencils from TUS work just fine, I got over 100 knives with my first stencil. I’ve used stencils from both of the sources mentioned and the quality of the etch was the same from both.
The etching fluid used will also have an impact on the etching, different steels may require different etching fluids. I believe IMG sells a variety pack of etching fluids so you can try out different fluids on different steels.
Jeff