Using Borax Method to laser engrave an image.

[@tammienyce3223]

ANd now I know the rest of the story. Always wondered what the Borax method was and what it was used for. Now I know. Your video was so helpful. Thank you for making and sharing it.

[@lazerking1701]

You are very, very welcome.

[@Desert_Woodworker]

One of the best video explanation on Borax with the laser...

[@lazerking1701]

Thank you so very very much!!

[@adventureswithcrystal]

Thanks for making that easy to learn. So many video's complicated it....

[@thomasash743]

I find i have to reduce my power when using Borax. Normal may be 32-35% power, using Borax 15-20% power.

[@GunnerAl9]

Is there a chance you can provide that file - I'm a retired Marine and would love to create a plaque for my two brothers who were also Marines. Great video. I prefer the brush on method vice spray as you control the amount of Borax displaced over the wood. I try not to get the Borax near the live edge trim as when it dries at times, there is white reside left in the wood edge and if you seal it, you can still slightly see the white, even if you try to air pressure spray it out.

[@donaldchase329]

20 Mule Team Borax available in most grocery stores in the laundry section.

[@fredietrevino4476]

This video is amazing and thank you for showing us!! I know you mention that you air blow it but do you put any sealer or anything? Thanks in advance

[@lazerking1701]

@@fredietrevino4476 I usually add a clear sealer spray like a poly gloss spray from Home Depot. But it is not necessary.

[@Jer0867]

4:30 If you're going to use a brush, why bother spraying it in the first place? You might as well just mix the solution in a bowl, and then brush it on!

[@lazerking1701]

My preference.

[@patrickobrien4266]

Another great video , thank you so much !

[@lazerking1701]

You are so very welcome and thank you for your support

[@TalkingGIJoe]

Why did you not mix the water/borax in the measuing container first?

[@ramonhamm3885]

I'm going to skip the spray bottle if you can just brush it on, why get one more thing dirty?

[@TommySpero]

Peter - Great video! Noticed the NY accent right off. I'm on LI myself. Question, do you think this would work if the wood was whitewashed first? I'm doing black and white two tone pieces - painted white, masked, then painted black. It's a pain in the ass removing all the tape. If this would work it would improve my workflow and output. THANKS IN ADVANCE!

[@lazerking1701]

Not sure but dont see why not.....my office #....631-730-7228

[@3DJapan]

Surprised you had to order Borax, I got mine from the supermarket.

[@Coopdeville06]

Is it anhydrous borax?

[@glennmartonic6376]

borax def works but but have to be very careful it doesnt smear when prepping for final coat.....this is toughest part when using borax....soot

[@ParleyPCat]

Wow, looks great! Can’t wait to try it. Do you know if borax causes any issues when applying a wood finish? Great work, thank you.

[@lazerking1701]

I would gently blow away any sooty residue before applying a clearcoat finish

[@jasniHD]

how much measurements for borax and water... i mean.. 100g borax for how much liter water...

[@lazerking1701]

You would have to go back to the video because I tell you the measurements

[@sergioaguis]

Mine if I touch it the black does disappear. Is it normal?

[@lazerking1701]

As I stated, in previous replies, once I was done, you’re going to have some loose soot . At that point, I lightly brushed whatever was loose and then I sprayed from a distance of about 12 inches a clear coating to protect the lettering.

[@fyireviewsandhowtos3118]

Do you wipe the image down before adding a finish and if so what do you use?

[@lazerking1701]

After I’m done engraving using this method, I use that mini keyboard, vacuum cleaner and lightly vacuum up any loose soot . They approximately 8 inches away from the surface. I lightly spray it with a clear polyurethane gloss spray before I brush on a product called crystalac which provides a very smooth clear glass light finish.

[@fyireviewsandhowtos3118]

@@lazerking1701 thank you.

[@SensSword]

Lowes has large Borax box for something like $7 last I checked (mid 2023)

[@eskienut]

Amazing. Does this work on any type of wood? Thank you. You make it look so easy.

[@lazerking1701]

We have tested it on bamboo, basswood, birch. I don't see why it wouldn't work on any type of wood...if it can be engraved, you can use the borax method.

[@Cluanar]

preference but i like the non borax better :-) better details.

[@stixstudios3380]

Same here. Or perhaps something in-between could work? The borax version has lost too much detail in the shadow area and looks way 'too' black for wood.

[@MrTigg93]

What is the non borax method?

[@camarogs1]

Open your eyes and see it next to the borax method. I do belive his power should have been reduced more.

[@dukestang]

Can you seal it afterwards or will it smear?

[@lazerking1701]

Yes you can....I would very litely use a soft bristle brush or vacuum to remove the loose soot first.

[@BitsndBobs]

You can find borax at any grocery store in the detergent aisle.

[@expressivecardsngiftsbykim]

Can you please tell me how you stopped the soot from coming off? I have a xtool M1 and have been given so many ratios to do the borax. No matter what they all smear, even if you clear coat it. Suggestions?

[@lazerking1701]

Sorry for delay....once done engraving I take a mini vac and suck away the majority of loose soot . The from 12--15" away I spray the clear coat. Dont spray close but from afar so the spray drifts down and locks the remaining soot in place.

[@satalaj]

The one without borax looks good to me 😊

[@lazerking1701]

Thank you

[@satalaj]

@@lazerking1701 by the way this is my first time to see how to apply borex solution on MDF. Thanks for sharing 🙏

[@lazerking1701]

@@satalaj Very welcome

[@mondo1318]

Omg great work sir!
Question, I didn’t know about the borax method prior to this video. I engraved a thin piece of Baltic birch and it came out fine but was to make the piece pop now, can I use the borax post-engraving without ruining the piece u think?

[@lazerking1701]

Its gonna be tricky...make sure you align the image exactly to prevent a double image...

[@mrsnak6119]

Hi, Great video! I'm assuming that was a Dithered image? What DPI/LPI was this done at?

[@lazerking1701]

The dpi was set at 318

[@JohnMark61355]

Is the black just from soot? Thank you.

[@lazerking1701]

yes....very gently brush off the excess.

[@JohnMark61355]

@@lazerking1701 Thank you.

[@ecsoftball]

What I don't like about the Borax method is the smear factor with all the soot. Is there a way to avoid this?

[@lazerking1701]

I had the same problem in the beginning, but what I do is a very lightly vacuum it with a bristle brush, very lightly to remove any loose suit. From there, I caught it with a clear spray, and let it dry.

[@laurapigg5132]

air assist on laser engraver

[@KellyNall]

I would love to see what it looks like if you did the same exact process leaving out the borax. How much of this is due to your sanding the wood with 150 grit sandpaper and wetting it?

[@lazerking1701]

W/o the borax its a plain wood engraving. The sanding was minimal to smooth the surface.

[@bryanmartin2144]

What speed and power would you use with the Beamo

[@lazerking1701]

Using the beamo laser, we use a speed of 150 mm/s and the power of 25

[@mikewood9514]

hi.thanks for the vid. have not done any borax method yet.would like to know if the borax method gives off more fumes and also does it give off any residue that could damage lens and mirrors. many thanks. mike

[@lazerking1701]

Not at all my friend.

[@mikewood9514]

@@lazerking1701 thank you kindly.

[@ramonhamm3885]

Is there actual burnt borax residue left on the wood that can brush off if you rub it accidentally or does the wood itself blacken?

[@lazerking1701]

Very lite residue whick I easily brush off with a fine paint brush before sealing the wood.

[@DavidBishopinc]

Hello there. Is the Borax ok to use on a cutting board? Will it be food safe? And may I ask, what is the minimum computer requirements to use with a 10w diode laser? I use a Mac for all my design work, but looking for the cheapest PC laptop that I can run the designed projects from. Does that make sense? Can't find an answer for that. Thanks great video my friend.

[@SensSword]

If it works with Lightburn, you're good. Not that expensive at all.

[@Kmorlandhy16]

Does this work on engraving on bamboo boards? How do you remove the extra dark engraving to show the details without smearing and ruining the image and board

[@lazerking1701]

We very carefully brush or use canned air from a distance of about 12". Once done we coat with Crstallac to protect the image. Found here....thecrystalacstore.com/?sca_ref=571072.xTU6BWeyYN

[@amberlyprime6791]

I wonder if it would work on MDF?

[@lazerking1701]

Havent tested on MDF as I personally don't like working with it but I don't see why not.

[@hache_raw]

I want the opposite. My Sculpfun S9 is engraving in shades of black. *I've tried every speed+power possible combination* and I get from almost invisible black to really black. But what if I want brown? I live brown designs the most :')
Today I'll try with LPI combinations but I think it will be the same...

[@NickhealeChinnayya]

Well you want the opposite. You can upgrade to the s30 ultra 11w. It gets brown engraving. My S9 just died. On the S30 i tried lots of setting could get only brown. Can’t make it dark black. Ig I’ll need to buy another S9 or use the borax method. I’ll try it on oak plywood

[@jasonhnash05]

Unfortunately Borax is illegal in Europe so can't do this

[@haxensalat]

Lol american units: tablespoon and ounces.. godddaamn why

[@BlueGeckoLaser]

Just learn to use your laser instead of relying on these gimmicks. This isn’t engraving this is soot. You can’t do anything now unless you spray some kind if sealer on the results. That’s not engraving dude!

[@lazerking1701]

I have to disagree with you "dude" It has worked well for us and thousands of others that use this method.

[@brentncindy9023]

Did it smear with the borax??

[@lazerking1701]

After we were done with the engraving, we very lightly vacuumed it with a soap, bristle brush to get any loose foot off the engraving. This way when we sprayed it with the clearcoat, it was sealed in and did not smear.

[@lazerking1701]

It’s supposed to say soft bristle brush, not soap

[@fyireviewsandhowtos3118]

Do you wipe the image down before adding a finish and if so what do you use?