My custom beer caps.

[ChrisVZ]

A couple months ago I bought a laser engraver and have been tinkering with it for a while. A few days ago, an idea struck me. Why not use my laser to vaporize the paint off a bottle cap to make them into custom labels. This is the result of my first batch of caps.

I had to make these one at a time, and it took quite a while. I am currently prototyping a jig that will allow me to engrave 50 in one shot.

 

[AZCoolerBrewer]

That’s pretty badass. The cap looks great and I love the artwork.

 

[JohnSand]

Very cool.

 

[Bamos6928]

That is awesome!!!!

 

[ChrisVZ]

Thanks for the compliments guys. I have finished my jig and can now do 50 caps at a time. Only thing left is to figure out what to brew next.

 

[AZCoolerBrewer]

Well, I wouldn’t mind getting a gross of caps. If they said AZ Gold, I might be tempted to buy some.

 

[MaxStout]

That is really cool--nice job! Get that scaled up and you'll have homebrewers lining up at your doorstep.

 

[dawn_kiebawls]

I'll be at the front of that line!


Seriously though, if you think you'd ever be interested in taking some orders I'd be more than happy to send you a drawing/ideas/caps and payment!

Either way, that is bad ass and I'm super jealous...I already know your beer/wine tastes better because of it

 

[Jag75]

I'd definitely be interested in buying some with my logo.

 

[Jayjay1976]

How many watts does the laser need to be in order to do this??

 

[BrewerBrad82]

Was this a diode or CO2 laser?

 

[ChrisVZ]

How many watts does the laser need to be in order to do this??

I am not sure what wattage is required, but I am using a 40W CO2 laser, running at about 10mA. I don't see why a diode laser couldn't do this though. It just has to be able to vaporize the paint off the surface. It might take multiple passes though. I will be able to test this next week, as I am expecting delivery of a 2.5W diode machine on Monday.

 

[ChrisVZ]

Was this a diode or CO2 laser?

40W CO2 laser.

 

[BrewerBrad82]

40W CO2 laser.

Ebay special K40 laser? Ive been contemplating one. I currently have a 2.5 watt diode machine. It leaves a little to be desired.

 

[ChrisVZ]

Ebay special K40 laser? Ive been contemplating one. I currently have a 2.5 watt diode machine. It leaves a little to be desired.

Ya, Chinese K40. It works, but has it's own quirks. If you do get one, be prepared to swap out the bed that comes with it, its junk. Still tying to work out how to do an adjustable bed for it. After martket options run as much as the machine itself. And the mirrors/lens too.

 

[Jayjay1976]

Can you provide links to these machines? Could also be used for custom beer coasters. I'm interested in maybe buying one.

 

[BrewerBrad82]

Just the first listing that popped up, but this is generally the machine:

https://www.ebay.com/p/Upgraded-40w...Interface/17017370466?iid=222779192360&chn=ps

There are also tons of YouTube vids on it, search "K40 laser"

 

[ChrisVZ]

Yeah, my controls are a little different, but same machine.

 

[Jayjay1976]

Oh man, it can etch glass too?? Now I definitely need to get one. I imagine beer glasses are too tall to stand up in side, in order to add nucleation sites at the bottom of the glass?

 

[ChrisVZ]

Ya, Beer glasses are too tall. The lens is a 2" focal distance and clearance to the laser head is less than that. But it does a great job at etching Glass and mirrors. 8"x8" back lit mirror I made for my bar.

 

[Jag75]

ChrisVZ that is awesome

 

[Jayjay1976]

That is flippin' gorgeous!

 

[ChrisVZ]

ChrisVZ that is awesome

That is flippin' gorgeous!

Lots of people thought so. I ended up making and selling 12 of them right before Christmas.

 

[Horseflesh]

I too enjoy my laser! Those caps look great.

Since I keg, I’m working on making magnets with all the relevant beer words to stick up as a menu.

 

[ChrisVZ]

I too enjoy my laser! Those caps look great.

Since I keg, I’m working on making magnets with all the relevant beer words to stick up as a menu.

Not a bad Idea, a magnet plate over each tap with descriptions on bottle caps. I like it!

 

[ChrisVZ]

Can you provide links to these machines? Could also be used for custom beer coasters. I'm interested in maybe buying one.

Custom beer coasters you say? I’ve done that too. Some Harry Potter themed coasters.

 

[OneFeather]

Really cool. Would you know if a much lower power laser would work for just etching? Something like this...
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FQNQPYP/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[ChrisVZ]

Really cool. Would you know if a much lower power laser would work for just etching? Something like this...
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FQNQPYP/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Looked at this type and they seem to have a slow print speed. I don’t know if it’s because it is a diode based laser or because it is only 1 watt. I should know by the end of the week, as my 2.5W diode laser arrived today. I will be playing with it once I assemble it and figure out the software.

Edit: here’s a decent video of one in use.

 

[Jag75]

Hey guys I just got the caps and coasters chrisvz made . Very happy with them . Excellent job.

 

[AZCoolerBrewer]

I got mine today, thanks Chris.

 

[Jag75]

 

[BrewerBrad82]

Looked at this type and they seem to have a slow print speed. I don’t know if it’s because it is a diode based laser or because it is only 1 watt. I should know by the end of the week, as my 2.5W diode laser arrived today. I will be playing with it once I assemble it and figure out the software.

Did you have a chance to play around with the diode laser yet? What software does it use?

 

[ChrisVZ]

Did you have a chance to play around with the diode laser yet? What software does it use?

Got it built and have played around with the Eleksmaker software that it comes with, but find it a bit lacking in features. Test engravings are a bit underwhelming too. Some gaps in the scan lines that did not get engraved at all. More experimenting and tuning to do yet.

 

[BrewerBrad82]

Sounds good. Let me know how it turns out!

 

[ChrisVZ]

I created another post about this, but thought those of you following this thread might like to see my latest creation...

 

[AZCoolerBrewer]

One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,
One Ring to bring them all, and in the darkness bind them,
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.

Just thought people might want the translation

 

[S-Met]

One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,
One Ring to bring them all, and in the darkness bind them,
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.

Just thought people might want the translation

Why are you quoting zeplin lyrics?

 

[ChrisVZ]

Did you have a chance to play around with the diode laser yet? What software does it use?

Tried to make the mirror in the above pic using it and the results weren’t great. Scan lines evident and a weird brown discoloration left behind.

 

[Tagobolts]

wow this is some cool stuff your doing here!

 

[ChrisVZ]

Thanks. I enjoy creating things. That's why I home brew. I also 3d print, and do some wood working. Currently saving up for a CNC router. That toy isn't going to come cheap. $2000 will take a while to save up, but would really expand the number of things I can make.