This reboxed dd-5 looks pretty cool.

[REPTAR]

Using pickguard material seems like a cool way to get some new looks on future pedals.

[hammerheadmusicman]

looks pretty cool. I wonder if laser etching would work on that stuff. if you could etch it down to the black, it'd look awesome!

[pickdropper]

looks pretty cool. I wonder if laser etching would work on that stuff. if you could etch it down to the black, it'd look awesome!

I wonder, too.  My fear is that it would leave a melted appearance as a lot of plastics like that do.  If you reduced the power level and properly dialed in the speed and frequency (likely set low) of the etch it might work.  I bet it would take a decent number of passes, though.

You'd need to make sure it isn't vinyl as some are.  I don't know about all lasers but the one I use can't do vinyl as the fumes from cutting ruin the laser.

[patrickbrose]

Use a pointed router style bit on a dremel with the flat router base. Freehand is tough, but you could build a template and go from there. You'd be surprised how fine of a line you can do with one of those and a bit of practice.
-P

[hammerheadmusicman]

looks pretty cool. I wonder if laser etching would work on that stuff. if you could etch it down to the black, it'd look awesome!

I wonder, too.  My fear is that it would leave a melted appearance as a lot of plastics like that do.  If you reduced the power level and properly dialed in the speed and frequency (likely set low) of the etch it might work.  I bet it would take a decent number of passes, though.

You'd need to make sure it isn't vinyl as some are.  I don't know about all lasers but the one I use can't do vinyl as the fumes from cutting ruin the laser.

should we expect to see a work of art etched into a strat scratchplate any time soon then?

[pickdropper]

looks pretty cool. I wonder if laser etching would work on that stuff. if you could etch it down to the black, it'd look awesome!

I wonder, too.  My fear is that it would leave a melted appearance as a lot of plastics like that do.  If you reduced the power level and properly dialed in the speed and frequency (likely set low) of the etch it might work.  I bet it would take a decent number of passes, though.

You'd need to make sure it isn't vinyl as some are.  I don't know about all lasers but the one I use can't do vinyl as the fumes from cutting ruin the laser.

should we expect to see a work of art etched into a strat scratchplate any time soon then?

Likely not.  It's a cool idea, but I don't have the stock here and I suspect I can't etch it.

[wolfingsworth]

Scratchplate> pickgaurd. Never heard that name for it, but I like it better

[hammerheadmusicman]

Never heard scratch plate? Think it's an English thing..