08 Aug 2010, 11:03
Yes, I can do more crystals, any color. If I can start with 3/32 stock, that saves a lot of time; otherwise, I have to start with 1/8, and mill it down to proper thickness. This also involves a re-polishing step, to remove the machining marks. These latest ones are also being done on a pantograph, instead of CNC. A friend has a Deckel GK-10 3D machine, and, for a suitable bribe, allows me some limited time on it [I actually used one of these when I was working in the tool-and-die shop; I did all the engraving on any injection mold that needed lettering or logos on the finished part, so I'm reasonably confident I'm getting best-performance results]. Dimensions can be so tightly controlled that the finished parts fit the cases better than the original glass [sort of what you'd expect from parts coming off an $18K tool]. AND, if I can get a suitable laser-cut lettering template made, we take the final step...the HAMILTON logo on the crystal. I have someone looking into that in LA, so, unfortunately, it's out of my direct control, and I can't be certain of the time frame...but, it WILL happen [so, don't go gluing these in with really permanent adhesives; when the time comes, if anyone wants, they can return a crystal to me and get it back logo'd...for a reasonable charge, I hope...sorta depends on the whims of the pantograph guy, too]. So, for the immediate future, I'm not going to say any more about that until I actually have the logo template in my hands...
I'm happy the parts I've made so far are getting such positive reviews...