laser etching or engraving?

[wm]

I have a project in mind (Marlin 336 trapper from a standard carbine) and I was thinking of dressing this one up a bit. I would like to have some artwork done on the receiver. I've always admired the Maple Leaf on the side of the Canadian Commerative Win 94 or doing some oak leaves and acorns in a Germanic style.

Does anyone have any experience with an outfit that can do this sort of laser etching well & reasonably priced?

Any thoughts or suggestions cheerfully appreciated.

Wm

[Chuck 100 yd]

The examples I have seen seem to be rather shallowly done and make me wonder if it will hold up for long. I would want to see his work before sending a gun to be done.
Good luck.

[Ysabel Kid]

The examples I have seen seem to be rather shallowly done and make me wonder if it will hold up for long. I would want to see his work before sending a gun to be done.
Good luck.

+1

I've seen some nice examples of laser etching, but all have been pretty shallow. I've heard it called a "poor man's engraving". Someone may do it deep, but I just haven't seen it myself.

[cubrock]

Gary Reeder does laser engraving that is deeply cut.

[Malamute]

Does he do laser engraving, or electro-acid etching? The latter isn't difficult to do. It's applied with a template pattern, applied to the metal, then put in an acid bath with electric current. How deep it etches is dependant on how long it's left in the bath. Once the setup is in hand, it doesn't cost that much to do. The stuff I've seen of Reeders looks like the acid etch, but I may be mistaken.

Some etching can be fairly detailed. I doubt anyone could wear it off.

I don't know if it's etching or laser engraving, but I sure like it.

[KiwiKev]

A beautiful rifle!

[cubrock]

Malamute,

Did a bit of digging and you are right about Reeder - he doesn't do laser engraving. He does acid etching which he then goes over with a Gravermeister. Learn something new every day!

[Griff]

Malamute,

Did Gary Reeder so that rifle? Regardless, it's fabulous!