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Thursday, July 27, 2017

Engraving with the Cricut Explore **new instructions included

***Keep in mind that these tools have been updated to fit in place of the blade on the right side of the machine.  
Ooooh wait till you see what the Cricut Explore can do!  How about etch or engrave aluminum tags!!?  I used the Chomas Creations engraving tip to make these tags.  I did use a multi cut of 2 and the highest pressure in the software.  I'm still trying to figure out the software for the Explore, so I don't have a tutorial just yet.  If anyone has ideas on making this easy, please share!
I used some of the chalkboard fonts for these.  You can see more about these here... chalkboard fonts
These dog tags and other aluminum shapes and sizes can be found at Ohax Industries!
Keep in mind these tools have been updated and now fit in the right side of the machine in place of the blade.

Here is another tag I did as well!  I love these chalkboard fonts as they show up really well over any open font.






Like what you see? Leave a comment to let me know!

61 comments:

  1. Thank you for posting this! I have your engraving tip and needed some ideas for using it!

    I did post about your pen and marker holders on my blog. I love using them! Check it out: http://www.withglitteringeyes.blogspot.com/2014/10/explore-writing-options-and-alternative.html

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  3. Hey Amy, I'm curious to know if you've tried this little tool with leather?

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  4. Laura I have not tried leather. If you do try it let me know how it works! Amy

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  5. Hi! I received my etching tip for the explore. I have a question - do I need to put a popsicle stick under it when I put it in the holder? When I drop it in mine, the tip is on the mat. Also, How thick do you recommend metal clay be rolled and dried for etching? Thanks!

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  6. I figured out how to install it properly. However, when I went to engrave, it barely scratched the surface of a sheet of copper. Is there a way to get a deeper etch?

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  7. Try using a multi cut of 2-5 depending on how well it works. Some metal pieces are just too hard for the machine. It doesn't have the power to engrave on things like steel. Aluminum works very well!

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  8. I used the engraving tip in the Explore on blanks & it barely scratched the surface. How can you change the pressure or use multi cut if it is in the pen holder slot? Thank you!

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  9. I bought this engraving tool but couldn't get it to engrave at all . I have the explorer , any tips?

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  10. Here is what I did... Go into your owners Explore Manual and you will find all the info in Section 2B Page 2-10...

    -Sonia

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  11. Will this attachment work with the Cricut Expression?

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  12. No the tip for the Explore will not fit in the other Cricut machines. You can find one that will fit here.... http://www.amychomas.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=19&zenid=ouquu6crqaeuf6045orlo11em6

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  13. I just got the Cricut Explorer etching tool, and I can't get it to etch much at all on a variety of materials. It's the same as the standard scoring tool even with max pressure and multicut

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  14. Will this tool work this the Cricut Explore One?

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  15. I'm sorry it will not work in the One. It is a different sized blade holder.

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  16. Hey! How do I order one of the engraving tips? I started my own home business and I've have tons of requests for engraved tags

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  17. They are in my store! www.amychomas.com
    If you have an Explore machine look for the Explore category.
    They are on back order but will be back before January 18th.

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  18. bought all 3 pieces for the explore air would like to know if you have or will do a video on using the engraver on different materials I learn best visually as I now many othersdo Thank you

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  19. I'm about to go insane trying to "trick" my new Explore into embossing into an aluminum soda pop can. I have watched endless videos about using the scoring pen (doesn't work) even when using the pressure on the highest setting. When I am able to get a great result (with cushion under the metal, I have those awful roller marks.
    Also, when I practice using pre-loaded art I get a better result but when I use my own uploaded art I get only a ---- (scoring look). Any suggestions?
    I bought this machine for this purpose only and I'm about to take it back after like 20 hours of trying!!!!

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  20. Nice Information! I personally really appreciate your article. This is a great website. I will make sure that I stop back again!
    discount coupon code

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  21. Would this work to etch into a very thin wood?

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  22. It sure will! As long as the wood is thin enough to fit under the rollers on the machine!

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  23. Amy, is there anything available for the Cricut Explore One model?

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  24. Yes there sure is! The Explore One engraver can be found here... http://www.amychomas.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=27&products_id=142

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  25. Hi, would this tool work with the new cricut explore air 2?

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  26. Yes this will work in the Explore Air 2. All of the Explore tools will.

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  27. What thickness of aluminum like tags found on amazon.. or other sites.
    Where do you recommend

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  28. Do you think your engraving toil could be used with card to create an embossed image? I've tried with the scoring stylus, bit that doesn't work....

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  29. The engraver may rip paper depending on the thickness. The machine doesn't have the pressure to emboss on thick cardstock. It can emboss on vellum and thin metal sheets though.

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  30. My daughter placed first at the Louisiana HOSA Convention in the Foresics category. She received a gold medal and I would like to engrave it for her. Can you recommend a good font to use and how many times should I go over the writing?

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  31. You would have to be able to fit the medal under the rollers in the machine. If you can do that you can give it a try. Search my blog for chalkboard fonts. And I would go over 3-5 times depending on how hard the medal is.

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  32. Amy I just purchased the explore air 2 and am wondering if I can use the engraving tool in it. If so, which one, the pen or the actual tool you show here in the blog.

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  33. You can use all the tools that fit in the Explore in the Explore 2!!

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  34. can you engrave small objects such as a flat metal bar sized 30mm x 5mm?

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  35. That's a great idea really. This is simple but unique and looks quite interesting activity. Thanks for sharing this post. I am going to try something new like this surely. Keep sharing.
    Custom brass plaques

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  36. Hello, I just ordered the engraving tool. It said where I ordered it that it does fit the cricut explore one. But all the cricut machines I'm seeing it used on has two spots for needles, engraving tools. My cricut explore only has one spot. But it does fit. I haven't tried it yet. I hope it works. If not can I send it back?

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  37. I am new to the Cricut world, I apologize for asking...can this be used on the Maker or is there a different engraver for that machine? I am a bit overwhelmed. �� thanks so much!!

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  38. I just got my engraver and it will not fit in port A but will port B what can i do

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    1. Cassie, me too! Do you know best font & setting for port b?

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  39. How long does the blade last? Or how many keychain blanks (for reference) can it etched before it dulls?

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  40. Can you engrave a picture of someone on the dog tags

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  41. Cassie,same here. Do you know best font & setting?

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  42. The Maker has a pecific engraver that fits in the blade holder and not the pen and scoring stylus holder.

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  43. It's an awesome blog.Enjoyed the whole time I spent here.Thanks

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  44. I just got this for christmas and it will only fit in port b on the cricut explore air 2...which model is used in the pictures that fits in port a? Port b leaves a rough cutting look and doesnt look nice at all?

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  45. Do you know if you can etch or engrave livestock ear tags such as this one

    https://www.google.com/search?q=etched+livestock+ear+tags&client=ms-android-verizon&biw=360&bih=612&tbm=isch&prmd=sinv&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjqqvKu8ODfAhVHVK0KHSI9DKcQ_AUIECgC#imgrc=3I6R-yLgIMpOXM

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    1. I've been wondering this as well! There is nothing on it anywhere... Have you tried it? Did it work? What machine do you have?

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    4. Has anyone tried this? I’ve been wondering the same thing? Thanks!

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  46. I absolutely love learning new ideas 4 my cricut & very much rely on websites like this to learn however I have to be honest I'm not a big fan of the example shown for this particular product it looks hand made with a shaky hand. In no way is this a criticism of yourself but just the blade & how it completed the task given I'm not sure about buying this tool yet sorry x

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  47. The tool I received fits into the B slot, I can't find the one that fits into the A slot. I have a cricut explore air 2. It does engrave, however, I would like to use the writing version. I like the chalkboard font as well, but that won't work for cut. Where can I purchase the tool to fit into the writing chamber?

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  48. What material setting should I use on my cricut maker? I’ve tried the aluminum foil material and adjusted the settings but it doesn’t seem to do much. Have you figured out the pressure and multi cut settings for the maker yet? I didn’t see anything posted but I was super excited to try my blade out finally. (I am using a 16 gauge aluminum stamping blank and I tried to do multi cut 4x and changed my pressure setting to 133. )

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  49. I have the Air 2. The tool I received only fits into the B slot, I can't find the one that fits into the A slot. It does engrave, however, I would like to use the writing version, in using A slot. I like the chalkboard font as well, but that won't work for cut. Where can I purchase the tool to fit into the writing chamber?

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  50. I cannot for the life of me figure out how to work the Engraving Tip for the Explore! Slot A is the pen slot and the directions say to put it in there. The pressure of the blade does not affect this slot. Is there a video on how to use the engraving tool in an Explore?

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  51. I am so sorry. I just saw these posts. There is a new tool for the Explore so that it works in the Maker as well. It now goes in the right side in place of the blade. I will fix the directions on here to change that. This is an old post. Sorry about the confusion.

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