Engraving Hard Anodized Flashlights

[Aloft]

So that my valuable flashlights don't disappear, I was thinking of getting them engraved by a jeweler or trophy/plaque type engraver.

First, is the aluminum (especially the HA-III) engravable?

Second, will tearing into the anodizing harm the flashlight or cause any corrosion?

If any of you have HA-III lights, like Surefires or Arcs engraved after purchase, what do you think? Is your light good as new?

Some folks have said that once engraved, it is difficult sell your light. SELL MY LIGHT, ARE YOU CRAZY?

Thanks for any info. . .

 

[Reptilezs]

many flashlights on the market are laser engraved. if they are being done mechanicly with a machine or hand tool youll probly want to use diamond bits because of the ha 3 anodize

 

[capnal]

I think you are on the right track for having it done by a professional. I am often asked questions similar to this by some of the cutomers I deal with. We offer anodizing for any aluminum product we sell, and, although we do not do it in house, we have great relationships with the vendors that do. What you should not do is think of anodizing as a plating that sits on top of the aluminum. It is actually an electro-chemical process that is formed with the aluminum itself. Therefore, engraving into it afterwords should work just fine.

Here is a link that gives a pretty good explanation of what is involved and occurs during the anodizing process.

Anodizing Aluminum

Although that page is referring to anodizing aluminum product in bulk, the process is the same, all the way down to tiny items such as Arc AAA for example.

Engraving after the anodizing process is common in other products, such as this high dollar Abel flyfishing reel

 

[TnC_Products]

Laser Engraving is the way to go. It doesn't penetrat the aluminum so you don't have to worry about corrosion. When you get something HA what it does is penetrates the aluminum .001 deep and also builds up .001 on the outside which is actually .002 in thickness. I engrave and cut HA all the time but your best be would be to laser engrave it. If you were to machine engrave it that should be fine since the lines a so small you shouldn't see any corrosion.