On the outside of a bowl i will use wire to burn my rings in. However, on the rim of a platter I need help on how to burn the rings in. I've tried smalll pieces of Formica with minimal success. On the attached platter I cut the rings in using a D-Way beading tool and them tried the Formica. Had to use a black archival pen to darken in the rings. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
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Burning Rings
- Thread starter Steve Doerr
- Start date
Dave Landers
Beta Tester
I have pretty good success with countertop laminate, but I feel like formica brand is too thick. I use sample squares of the cheaper stuff. You can probably sharpen the formica a bit with a sander. For rings like on that platter, I'd use the rounded corner of the laminate.
The wood has to be moving quickly enough to generate enough friction. Larger diameters are more challenging to get a ring to burn well all the way.
Other things I've heard of people using - playing cards, the edge of an old sanding belt, hard wood scraps (Blackwood, ironwood etc)
The wood has to be moving quickly enough to generate enough friction. Larger diameters are more challenging to get a ring to burn well all the way.
Other things I've heard of people using - playing cards, the edge of an old sanding belt, hard wood scraps (Blackwood, ironwood etc)
You aren't building enough friction if you can't get a black line with Formica. Practice on some scrap to get the feel for a good speed and pressure. Never good to start a new technique on a finished project! I
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All good advice
I’ll repeat the most important to me a sharp edge will build heat and is much much better than a wide one.
I’ll repeat the most important to me a sharp edge will build heat and is much much better than a wide one.
I sharpen Formica to a knife edge and turn the speed to 2000 or more. You will have to resharpen as this edge will not last for all rings.
I went to the home center ... told them I was thinking about redoing my kitchen counter-tops. They gave me a lifetime supply of the house-brand they sell. I sharpen the edge, crank up the speed, and get a nice dark line (plenty of smoke!).
Thanks everyone for your advise. The Formica samples are pretty thick and I was not sharpening them. I will give it a try and see what happens. I will also use your advise Gerald and go to the big boxes in town and see what they have for samples.
One other idea. I know a guy with a laser engraver. A friend or company near you that has one with a rotary table may be able to burn lines for you.