How to make a transfer

[Tinbasherdan]

Now then, as I’m skinter than a skint thing I’m making a present for mrs tbd, it’s a prop from one of her favourite story trilogies, his dark materials. It’s a decorative alethiometer for those that know the story.

The issue is I have to somehow have these symbols on a 61mm o/d, with a height of 13mm max, and to make it more interesting, it forms a concave taper of about 20 deg! Any advice or ideas? As cheap as humanly possible though

cheers

 

[Ali]

What material are you transferring on to? If it’s a metal, some sort of acid etching?

 

[Tinbasherdan]

What material are you transferring on to? If it’s a metal, some sort of acid etching?

It’s onto alu, I don’t know if you could etch nearly enough at that size?

 

[bigegg]

1. print in reverse using a laser printer,


2. (difficult bit - might take a bit of experimenting). lay on aluminium (or steel), and use swmbo's iron to melt the transfer onto the metal.

3. google "salt water etching". basically using a battery, a cotton wool bud, and salt water.
aluminium will etch with caustic soda.



there are specific types of paper/light curing gel that makes the whole process easier.

 

[bigegg]

if you could get away with copper, use a custom circuit board supplier to etch one from your design?

i'm not sure what you mean by "tapered" in your description, tho? do you mean that the metal object is tapered? or just the design?

 

[Tinbasherdan]

if you could get away with copper, use a custom circuit board supplier to etch one from your design?

i'm not sure what you mean by "tapered" in your description, tho? do you mean that the metal object is tapered? or just the design?

The surface it’s on forms a conical taper inside, so it slopes down about 20deg from outside to inside

 

[bigegg]

The surface it’s on forms a conical taper inside, so it slopes down about 20deg from outside to inside

you'll have to etch it flat, then roll it to shape.

 

[mtt.tr]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Clear-Inkj...ocphy=9045041&hvtargid=pla-699306381836&psc=1

Never tried but might work

 

[northwest]

I have used this stuff with some success in the past, the decal stuff that is. You can airbrush lacquer over it to make it permanent.

 

[julianf]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Clear-Inkj...ocphy=9045041&hvtargid=pla-699306381836&psc=1

Never tried but might work

That stuff was the whole reason i got into doing panel work. Its pretty much impossible to get it to look "factory". I mean, its fine if youre ok with a bit of a shoddy DIY finish, but if youre after anything greater, its just a disappointing road to nowhere.

 

[julianf]

Now then, as I’m skinter than a skint thing I’m making a present for mrs tbd, it’s a prop from one of her favourite story trilogies, his dark materials. It’s a decorative alethiometer for those that know the story.

The issue is I have to somehow have these symbols on a 61mm o/d, with a height of 13mm max, and to make it more interesting, it forms a concave taper of about 20 deg! Any advice or ideas? As cheap as humanly possible though

cheers

Have you got a photo or a screen shot of what youre trying to make? I cant picture what youre after from your description (but it is 11:30, ive been working all weekend, the jobs not complete, and am only here as im taking a break...)

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Something like these I'd assume

2ahUKEwjizp7Zi6jmAhXPSsAKHedBAqsQ_AUoAnoECBEQAg&biw=412&bih

 

[sako243]

I don't have any real suggestions but it might be worth having a chat with my friend Janine, she's got a sideline doing similar things. If you do get in touch say that Ed recommended her and she'll either look after you or start making jokes about Ted

It might be the kind of thing that she'd be able to laser engrave except when I stopped by a month or so ago the laser was in storage at the family construction company's warehouse.

If you do ask her to do any work she might eventually send an invoice for not very much. I'm still waiting for a bill for some slates she engraved four years ago...

The website doesn't show much but she does a lot of trophy engraving for shoots (we shot together for Wales in 2007 in the States which is how we got to know each other well). We've used her quite a bit for engraving slates with photos for weddings or anniversaries etc. but the company has also used her for cutting out some plastic blanking plates for systems we build.

Oh and she's useless at responding to emails / texts so best to try and phone directly.