# LED sign that I made and want to use X-carve to etch the digits **URL:** \ **Category:** Projects\ **Created:** [June 7, 2016, 4:04pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/led-sign-that-i-made-and-want-to-use-x-carve-to-etch-the-digits/24678 "2016-06-07T16:04:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![StephenCook](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/stephencook/32/73911_2.png) [@StephenCook](https://community.inventables.com/u/StephenCook)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2016, 4:04pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/led-sign-that-i-made-and-want-to-use-x-carve-to-etch-the-digits/24678/1 "2016-06-07T16:04:59Z")
I have already made this sign. I would like to etch the Plexiglas that covers the digits to make them look better. Any software suggestions. The Easel does not cut back and forth like a laser does when it rasters graphics. I would like a nice clean cut with the cut areas acting like a difuser for the LED light. It works perfectly fine and I made a remote control for it. I just want to make it look better. ![](https://cdck-file-uploads-canada1.s3.dualstack.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/flex009/uploads/inventables/original/3X/5/0/5009e9d87cde249f3325534b5aec94e4e018c5f2.JPG) ---
**Author:** ![StephenCook](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/stephencook/32/73911_2.png) [@StephenCook](https://community.inventables.com/u/StephenCook)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2016, 4:06pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/led-sign-that-i-made-and-want-to-use-x-carve-to-etch-the-digits/24678/2 "2016-06-07T16:06:21Z")
This is what I am going for. ![](https://cdck-file-uploads-canada1.s3.dualstack.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/flex009/uploads/inventables/original/3X/7/9/7991eea4262b3c4ceccf5b8a8bcd0de784d600c8.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![BillBucket](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/billbucket/32/84345_2.png) [@BillBucket](https://community.inventables.com/u/BillBucket)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2016, 5:36pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/led-sign-that-i-made-and-want-to-use-x-carve-to-etch-the-digits/24678/3 "2016-06-07T17:36:40Z")
So, why not just sand it down? It sounds like you’re going for an even diffuse surface, like you would get from sandpaper. ---
**Author:** ![NAM37](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/nam37/32/67432_2.png) [@NAM37](https://community.inventables.com/u/NAM37)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2016, 6:08pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/led-sign-that-i-made-and-want-to-use-x-carve-to-etch-the-digits/24678/4 "2016-06-07T18:08:30Z")
There is a little info here: > [@Acrylic sign success. 12 x 24 in. on the 500mm X-Carve](https://community.inventables.com/t/acrylic-sign-success-12-x-24-in-on-the-500mm-x-carve/18812): > > I made this sign for my grandson’s other grandpa since we both ride bikes. Here’s the settings for those who want to know. 12in by 24in by 0.25in cell cast acrylic from ebay. Cut depth .025, depth per pass 0.01, travel 100in/min, spindle speed 17000 (setting 3 on my Makita trim router). I lied to Easel by telling it I was using a 1/32 bit when I was really using a 1/16. That got rid of all the little red uncutable places on the chain. The bit was a single flute upcut from Drillman1 on ebay. ---
**Author:** ![StephenCook](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/stephencook/32/73911_2.png) [@StephenCook](https://community.inventables.com/u/StephenCook)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2016, 6:25pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/led-sign-that-i-made-and-want-to-use-x-carve-to-etch-the-digits/24678/5 "2016-06-07T18:25:45Z")
I would use a sand blaster but its very messy. Also I am trying to learn my X-Carve system. ---
**Author:** ![B.F](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/b.f/32/87399_2.png) [@B.F](https://community.inventables.com/u/B.F)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2016, 1:05pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/led-sign-that-i-made-and-want-to-use-x-carve-to-etch-the-digits/24678/6 "2016-06-08T13:05:12Z")
vinyl film that replicates a frosted etched glass look. The 3500 Series is perfect for entrance door logos and point of purchase advertising when a unique or classic looked is needed. The adhesive on the 3500 Series film is is crystal clear so it is perfect for glass and mirror applications. Film Technology: Cast Film thickness: 2 mil. (2/1000") Finish: Matte Durability: 5 years Conformability: Flat / Simple Curves and Corrugation Adhesive: Permanent/Clear Application range: Minimum 50° F ![](https://cdck-file-uploads-canada1.s3.dualstack.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/flex009/uploads/inventables/original/3X/7/a/7aa170b1ab369b35b3383f96309f1e00ed858578.png) ---
**Author:** ![StephenCook](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/stephencook/32/73911_2.png) [@StephenCook](https://community.inventables.com/u/StephenCook)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2016, 2:17pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/led-sign-that-i-made-and-want-to-use-x-carve-to-etch-the-digits/24678/7 "2016-06-08T14:17:51Z")
Sounds nice but would cause issues as the film would degrade in the out doors. The sign is subjected to heat and humidity changes. ---
**Author:** ![JayReynoldsIi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6de8d8/32.png) [@JayReynoldsIi](https://community.inventables.com/u/JayReynoldsIi)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2016, 5:07pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/led-sign-that-i-made-and-want-to-use-x-carve-to-etch-the-digits/24678/8 "2016-06-08T17:07:04Z")
actually the durability rating for vinyl is 5 yrs outdoors and typically it will get another 2-5 if not in a situation where it is getting scratched or messed with.I do vinyl. ---
**Author:** ![Traxxtar](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/traxxtar/32/67235_2.png) [@Traxxtar](https://community.inventables.com/u/Traxxtar)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2017, 1:54pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/led-sign-that-i-made-and-want-to-use-x-carve-to-etch-the-digits/24678/9 "2017-03-30T13:54:28Z")
I’m interested in the microelectronics that make it work and about that remote control. What components did you use? Links to items? ---
**Author:** ![TheWhittler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ad7895/32.png) [@TheWhittler](https://community.inventables.com/u/TheWhittler)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2017, 2:27pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/led-sign-that-i-made-and-want-to-use-x-carve-to-etch-the-digits/24678/10 "2017-03-30T14:27:07Z")
You could always make a black frame/surround for around/in between the digits, and then seperate squares for the top/bottom bits actually inside the digits.