u/Books_Not_Advice — reddlx

Hey everyone! I wanted to share my complete workflow for making enamel pins from scratch using a fiber laser. I currently produce up to 50 simple pins (or about 25 highly detailed ones) a day using this method. Hopefully, this helps anyone looking to get into pin making!

My Setup & Materials:

Laser: 60W JPT MOPA M7 (110mm lens)

Material: 1mm Brass sheet

Enamel: Pébéo Ceramic (cold solvent-based enamel)

Chemistry: Citric acid, baking soda, white spirit (mineral spirits), rubbing alcohol

Abrasives: 600, 1200, and 2500 grit wet sandpaper

Finishing: UV rubber gel top coat (nail polish) with a UV lamp (99s timer) or 2-part doming epoxy

Tools: Fume extractor, insulin syringes, pin posts, and butterfly clutches

Design Preparation

Prepare your vector artwork. Ensure the design has closed paths and clear boundaries to act as "walls" for the enamel. Eliminate any overlapping lines or stray vector nodes. Keep in mind that lines that are too thin won't hold enamel.

Pro tip: Always set your outer cut line as a separate boundary layer, not as part of the engraving design.

Software Setup (LightBurn)

Import your vectors and scale them. Check the preview to clearly see where the deep engraving (enamel recesses) will be. I separate my layers: one for deep engraving, one for a cleaning pass, and one for cutting.

Laser Parameters

I use a three-step process: Deep Engraving, Cleaning, and Cutting.

Engraving (Fill): I use high DPI (around 508, but you can go 900+ for fewer passes). Set your angle increment to 37 degrees to avoid moiré patterns and deep ridges. Note: Don't make the bottom too perfectly smooth—a slight micro-texture actually helps the cold enamel adhere better! Also need 0.1-0.3 mm deep engraving.

Heat Warning: Balance your speed and power. Do not overheat the brass, or it will warp.

Cutting (Line): I use conservative cutting settings. Depending on your settings, a 1mm brass sheet might take around 30+ passes to cut cleanly.

Pickling (Acid Cleaning)

Pop the cut pieces into a warm bath of citric acid. Stir gently like a soup. This eats away the oxidation and laser soot. Don't leave them in too long! Once clean, neutralize the metal in a bath of water and baking soda to stop the chemical reaction. Dry the pins with a lint-free cloth.

Enamel Application

I fill the recessed areas using cold Pébéo Ceramic enamel. My secret weapon? Insulin syringes. They are perfect for precise application into tiny details.

Important: This enamel is toxic, so use ventilation.

Apply the paint in a single pass. Do not layer it. Find the right balance so you don't overfill and spill over the brass walls into other colors.

Curing

Place the pins on a perfectly flat surface. Allow 1 to 3 days for the enamel to fully polymerize and harden.

Wet Sanding (The Ice Water Hack)

Once cured, carefully wet-sand the surface. Progress from 1200 to 2500 grit until the brass walls are flush and shiny.

Huge tip: Use ice-cold water. The cold prevents friction heat from softening the enamel.

Troubleshooting: If you see gray smudges on white paint (caused by brass dust), gently wipe it with white spirit, then immediately wash it with soap. A drop of dish soap in your sanding water also helps prevent dust from sticking!

Doming & Top Coat

Clean the pin thoroughly with alcohol. For a quick finish, I apply a single layer of UV rubber gel top coat and cure it under a UV lamp for 99 seconds. For a more premium and durable finish, I use clear 2-part doming epoxy.

Attaching the Hardware

Attach the pin post to the back using a strong 2-part epoxy glue (or solder them on before the painting stage if you have the gear). Let it cure for 24 hours. Attach the butterfly clutch, and you're done!

Let me know if you have any questions about the laser settings or the process!

P.S. I added my exact LightBurn laser settings (Speed, Power, Frequency, Q-Pulse) in the comments below!

Hello everyone,

Post approved by moderators.

Last year, a close friend of mine passed away, leaving behind his grandfather’s (a war veteran) stamp collection. It is a substantial collection, mostly focused on the 1970s Soviet Union and the Eastern Bloc, though other periods are present.

I want this collection to go to genuine collectors who are actively looking to complete specific series or thematic sets. I would prefer to send them to many different people who will truly appreciate them, rather than giving everything to one person.

The details:

Target: People who actually collect series/thematics (please mention what you collect in the comments).

Cost: The stamps are free.

Shipping: Worldwide from Ukraine (except Russia and Belarus). Shipping is at your expense, though small sets/individual stamps can be sent via standard letter mail.

Timing: I will be ready to process requests and ship items starting after May 10th.

If you are looking for specific series, years, or themes from the USSR/Eastern Bloc, please let me know. I can send separate sheets, envelopes, or specific stamps to help complete your collection.

Please comment below with what you are looking for, or send me a DM.