I am trying some slate, I have sprayed with clear finish before lasering and it turns out great. Should I spray again after lasering to protect the image?
Please post photos, so we can see it or the process involved.
I don’t cover mine as it no longer works very well as a coaster. All the sweat off the cup just rolls off the coaster.
Might make yourself a pair or more of them and try different ways to treat them. I did some initially and use a slate tile protective coating. Actually didn’t like the results much.
These are from my machine:
Hang in there, there are lots of people here that do this.
Yours looks pretty good for a diode.
I do. I think it seals the engraved part.
I myself have been through this and at the time, considering the comments I received, I realized that it is necessary to take into account the purpose of the project.
In the case of slate, if it’s to make a coaster to be used, the finish will eliminate its purpose, which is to absorb condensation or liquids that drip from the glass.
If it’s for strictly decorative projects, as I’ve also done, I don’t see why not give it a finishing treatment.
A coaster without a finishing treatment, to be used for its purpose, has a “shelf life” that expires as soon as it becomes stained by drinks or contaminating liquids that seep into the pores of the slate. It can still be used, but not with its initial beauty.
On the other hand, there’s the advantage that if this happens, the user can always order more from you. 
The photos aren’t great because the photographer doesn’t know anything about photography either 
. But I’m leaving some coasters that I made for you to use, a cheese board, and a decorative wooden cutting board that I made with a food-safe coating. The coating was applied after recording (although I’ve tested it, and in the case of slate, it works better applied before engraving).
(upload://fKBqIL3SeVLAX81ktL1BzOPE35Q.jpeg)
Nice coasters Jack, Would it help to laser in a moat! Irish climate doesn’t promote sweating all that often.
I live, in what’s considered the SW Desert, so most of the year we are in single digits, humidity wise. When the monsoon season arrives, the moisture from the gulf and Mexico slides north into Arizona increasing the relative humidity and dramatically increases the chances of a thunderstorm. Usually it’s so dry here, it just bakes everything.
Had a pool installed, so took one of the days off from work.. Turned out to be a 122F day… 
Last nigh we had a batch of thunder storms, so this morning the temperature is about 65F with an humidity at 99%, so it can get moist. However, I like to work in the garage and I run my machine at about 18C (64F), that’s under, but near, the dew point. I have never seen condensation on the tube itself. Maybe I’m not far enough under the dew point.
I think a coaster should absorb the liquid, to make a useful trough you’d have to know how much liquid you intend to store… It’s likely someone has figured that out…
I’ll keep your suggestion in mind… Thanks.
Funny you should mention it. I was just watching a program on TV about a community in desert…in the US, They live off grid and a guy said it gets over fifty F/120C. We’ve had a good run of sunny weather thanks to the jetstream moving further north…been waiting decades for that to happen. It’s just above thirty most days and it’s work to even think about work. Last time we saw this seems like the 1970’s so none are complaining.
Much respect to you real hot zone dwellers.
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Oh yah this humidity is greeeeat. I also am in Az. but I have no garage to work in. SO… living in a 65 +commune I have to work on the patio. That’s right. But I’m tough for a old guy so I just keep on. It’s covered and I have a small swamp kooler that does nothing during humid days. I am in Mesa and new to this here engraving stuff and find it addicting and frustrating. Mostly frustrating because I know very little about computers and less about LB.
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You don’t figure this stuff out by osmosis, it takes time to learn.
But most people can deal with watching a Youtube. If not Youtube, there are plenty of sources of information around. Remember you have the most incredible tool, the Internet.
Moved to Phoenix in the mid late 70’s after an uncle moved here and I got out of high school.
We have always had swap coolers, if it’s dry enough you can drop the temperature by 20F. As you say, when it get over about 30% humidity it only makes it more sticky.
Now live in the Verde Valley… still gets hot.
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Hi Jack. This is not a LB question but what’s the best site to find info on why my Falcon Pro will not burn?
Thanks.
I would suggest contacting Creality directly. They should be able to give you more a more accurate answer to your question.
I have a weather station here in Florida. It never gets below 40% relative humidity. They call less than 60% “dry” here.
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I did Jack, but you know how that goes. 
E mailing back and forth, one a day, is a pain. But they did asy they were going to send a new module. But, I bought one on Amazon from laser tree and It is doing the same thing. So ai is wanting to change the settings in LB because laser tree mod is not, I do not understand all the laser electronics talk, compatible. Grrr
@DBat Please create a new topic with your laser issues and we follow from there, post the $$ GRBL settings and your device.
All together we will find a solution.
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