Humbucker Base & Cover Engraving

[jrdamien]

Anyone have any ideas about relatively easy and reproducible ways to engrave humbucker covers and baseplates?

Has anyone tried and/or had any success stamping a humbucker cover with a metal punch?

[LtKojak]

Anyone have any ideas about relatively easy and reproducible ways to engrave humbucker covers and baseplates?

It's called a "Laser Engraver".

Has anyone tried and/or had any success stamping a humbucker cover with a metal punch?

No.

[David King]

You could pick up a used 2D engraving pantograph for very little and have someone with a CNC mill make you a master engraving in brass or plastic to trace. Another way would be to apply a mask and chemically etch or sandblast the exposed surface.

A metal punch could work but it will distort the metal surface.

[jrdamien]

You could pick up a used 2D engraving pantograph for very little and have someone with a CNC mill make you a master engraving in brass or plastic to trace. Another way would be to apply a mask and chemically etch or sandblast the exposed surface.

A metal punch could work but it will distort the metal surface.

Pantograph. That's exactly the kind of idea I was hoping for. Excellent.

[g1]

It's called a "Laser Engraver".

I have no idea how good this machine would be or if the price is reasonable, but just passing on a link I came across elsewhere:

https://www.yankodesign.com/2019/12/...ing-even-food/

[StarryNight]

Most lasers don’t engrave on reflective surfaces. You would need something called a fiber laser. I think they start around $6k. Also I don’t think you’ll have much success engraving chrome plated covers. You would need to plate them after engraving. Etching or maybe diamond drag engraving might work on nickel plating.

[kayakerca]

You can engrave metal with a regular CO2 laser when the surface of the metal piece is coated with a marking product such as CerMark.

[zparts]

Anyone have any ideas about relatively easy and reproducible ways to engrave humbucker covers and baseplates?

Has anyone tried and/or had any success stamping a humbucker cover with a metal punch?

The least expensive rout is to have a metal stamp custom made. Should be less than $200 of you can supply the artwork. Make a jig to center it up and strike it with a hammer.

That's how I did it back in the day before I could afford to have baseplates made in high enough quantities to justify having our logo engraved.