How to make a pro-looking 3-D amp badge?

[ViperDoc]

At the outset, I’m not a professional. But I thought it would be cool to make a pro-looking 3-d amp badge to put on the front of my British style builds. I’ve looked into hobby CNC routers. Anyone have a good way of making these without getting too invested? Thanks!

[fredfretter]

There is the "lost wax process". We used this method as an art student to make everything from jewelry to sculpture.
There is the modern method of going out and buying or contracting someone with a 3d printer. There are probably others but
can't think of any now.

[Phil_S]

There are people or places with 3-D printers where you can deliver a file and they will print it for you at a reasonable cost. Also, look for maker spaces (local coop type shops that extend memberships) that have 3-D printers available for DIY use. Look on youtube for info on low cost 3-D printers and I think you'll conclude you shouldn't get one.

[xtian]

3D prints still look DIY, at least from consumer models. But there's metal SLA printers which might be cool.

https://www.google.com/search?client=sa ... a+printing

[ViperDoc]

Thanks all. The badge on my Bogner 212 looks smooth and polished, almost like it’s poured. My Avatar cab badge looks miter-routed and painted. I have a 3-D SLA printer but it’s not big enough. Seems the best looking might be to route a piece of acrylic sheet. Maybe by hand with a Dremel...? That might look the worst!

[statorvane]

You might think about etching metal for your badge. Here's a link with photos of etched pedal enclosures - reveals a 3-D like surface. Scroll down and you will see what I mean. Pretty cool I think.

https://ampgarage.com/forum/viewtopic.p ... er#p192611

[fredfretter]

I forgot about a product that have used at my print shop. Photo polymer letterpress plates. It is similar to making rubber stamps, but much more rigid. It is a plastic form, used to imprint on paper and other materials, rendering a nice debossed effect. The plate is produced by placing a high contrast litho film negative or positive on top of the material, placing this in a vacuum frame and exposing to UV light source for a proper amount of time. The polymer plate is then rinsed and gently brushed with warm water, removing unexposed polymer and leaving behind a raised image. It is then dried and exposed again to UV light to harden more, if needed. Boxcar Press makes plates for business and hobbyists.