OT: Best way to engrave plastic?

m_mcgovern

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My daughter needs an expensive calculator for High School next year and the school recommends engraving it.

From what I read online, it appears that laser engraving yields better results than a traditional engraving machine....

Is there a brick and mortar store that does this?

How about someone on the forums here?

Thanks!
 
I'd engrave the crap out of it with a pocket knife and india ink. Nice laser engraving can be concealed using the method I just mentioned. Not to mention nobody is going to want to steal the expensive calculator with the hideous engraving and if they do it will be a tough sell and they sure as hell wouldn't be able to use it at the school!
 
Ah, yes, the TI-83+...

Can't say as engraving your name on something is really going to help prevent it from getting stolen. It's just going to get filed off. But I'd recommend putting her name on it, inside the battery compartment, under the batteries. Nobody's going to look there to remove the marking.

But, not really seeing how a calculator like that is going to be a high theft item, anyway. It's a requirement, so everyone already has one. And the kind of lowlifes that just like to steal stuff aren't going to be that interested in a calculator. Besides, there's all kinds of newer, cooler portable electronics to steal, what with iPods, smartphones, and 3d handheld games...

-Ian
 
This is what my pops used to engrave mine back in the day. I had one stolen and after that everything was engraved.

astro-pneumatic-1205-die-grinder.jpg
 
When I was in high school, I took a coat hanger and fashioned three branding irons out of it for my initials. I heated them up in a candle and pressed them onto the plastic. Pretty low tech, but worked well.

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When I was in high school, I took a coat hanger and fashioned three branding irons out of it for my initials. I heated them up in a candle and pressed them onto the plastic. Pretty low tech, but worked well.

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I'd like to see someone try to sand or file those initials off!
 
I'd like to see someone try to sand or file those initials off!

Exactly. I was the main supplier of games (Tetris & Blackjack with graphics) and "academic" helper programs. Even the teachers wanted to get their hands on my calculator. When the TI-92 (the qwerty one) came out, I got one and I was pre-emptively banned from even bringing it into the classroom.
 
http://www.lowes.com/pd_94688-353-2...&currentURL=/pl__0__s?Ntt=engraver&facetInfo=

I have a generic version of one of these, and its handy for all kinds of stuff. Want to mark your new edge connector parts and solder side - there ya go.
You can adjust the stroke and it will engrave fairly heavily, plus going over it multiple times will make it even deeper. I suspect it'd be hard to ever sand it out if done properly.
 
Exactly. I was the main supplier of games (Tetris & Blackjack with graphics) and "academic" helper programs. Even the teachers wanted to get their hands on my calculator. When the TI-92 (the qwerty one) came out, I got one and I was pre-emptively banned from even bringing it into the classroom.

I dub thee Calculator MacGyver :)

It turns out they took it to a mall and were able to get it engraved mechanically. It turned out good.
 
I engraved my name in the back of my phone with a laser. Unfortunately, I had previously been engraving some metal, and I forgot to dial down the power. I ended up setting my phone on fire.
 
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