side project: CNCBadges

posted Oct 14th 2007 3:32pm by Will O'Brien
filed under: news

Want something different for your latest PC? I’m starting to offer custom CNC cut case badges made on my mill. I’m starting off with 1″ x 1″ badges made from .125″ thick 6061 aluminum alloy. The test cuts above should give you a decent idea of what I’m talking about. (The edges are a bit rough because I need to order some proper engraving bits.) I’ve just about gotten the kinks out, so I’m going to start accepting orders now. Engraved badges are $6 and shipping’s just $1 in the US. Everything is very, very beta - let me know if you have any questions.

Eliot said that I could pimp my little venture if I give away some Hack-A-Day badges. So drop a comment - I’ll pick five or so at random (unless you’re a tool) to receive a free badge with the Hack-A-Day logo. I *might* consider offering Hack-A-Day badges to raise money for the EFF, but it’s still up in the air.

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Comments [114]

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This sounds really friggin’ cool, if I wasn’t strapped for cash right now, I’d get one.

Also, this is my first comment here, at hackaday.

Posted at 4:43 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by Weclock

Always wanted some Hack a day swag but could’ent make it to any conferences. Let us know when you order those bits and I’ll be more that happy to grab a couple.

Posted at 4:48 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by Jester

Hey! Greetz from Brazil! Nice badges you got made! I wish I had an cnc machine…

Posted at 4:52 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by rescbr

Nice site you shouldve made it hackadayshop.com and start selling other things too! There might be money in that business. You could make deals with other hackers and sell their products..

Posted at 4:58 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by hrf3420

very nice! i’d love a little nametag or something in that.

Posted at 5:00 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by lucas vd weiden

You could offer a “Special EFF Edition” and donate some of the money from that to the EFF. You should see how these do first.

Posted at 5:03 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by Max

neg wants!

Posted at 5:04 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by neg2led

This is a really neat idea. Until I get around to making my own CNC mill *cough* I may send a DXF or two your way.

Posted at 5:04 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by dan

what better use to put some hours on your mill than making custom badges :p

Posted at 5:09 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by Peter

man, if only they weren’t a little bigger.. they’d make a great apple logo cover-up on my new imac.

Posted at 5:10 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by forkbeard

Thats really cool - I’m interested in buying one - but if I could make a request - on a round plate, about 2″ diameter. I just moved from a BMW convertible to a Plymouth Voyager - I want to cover the Plymouth insignia really badly. Great project!

Posted at 5:12 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by Frollard

I would put one of these on my antec lanboy, but the LCD badge is now a PSone screen. I could use one for my case badge graffiti media server though.

Posted at 5:14 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by Weirdguy

Can I get one with the Hack-a-Day logo? Maybe add that as an option? And for that matter, why don’t you open a Hack-a-Day store with some shirts/stickers? Perhaps it exists and I’ve missed it over the years?

Posted at 5:16 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by ThatMonkey

If I had a CNC machine, I would make so many little badges that I wouldn’t know what to do with them all…. but, alas, I do not…

Posted at 5:20 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by Tyler

That is sweet.

Posted at 5:22 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by Deranged

i want one to slam onto my integra…

Posted at 5:23 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by rashani

i love hack a day! i love these badges!!

Posted at 5:24 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by ramsay

terrific!

Posted at 5:29 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by Troy

shipping to the UK isn’t very much; only about $3 or so.
Just a heads up. Ya know, because you have readers in the UK.

case badges look good, but you think you could make a version in acrylic too, I have a sweet idea for an LED illuminated badge i want to hack together!

Posted at 5:30 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by pedro

Why the nasty surface finish on the plane area? How did you manage to get it that uneven? (I’m not trolling, it’s just that I’ve never managed to get surface that bad when machining in aluminum).

Posted at 5:33 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by lerneaen hydra

thats awesome! I visit the site daily and while I don’t understand everything you cover, I try to learn!

Posted at 5:34 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by feffrey

sweet… these look really nice… i’ll order one when i get the time.

if you sell enough of these, maybe you could get rid of the ads?

Posted at 5:34 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by TGBM

Awesome idea, I’d love to have one!

Posted at 5:35 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by tiuk

Glee. Kyle Wants Badge. Kyle always read hackaday. Kyle want Badge for Laptop.

Posted at 5:38 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by Kyle Yankanich

very awesome

Posted at 5:46 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by austin y.

Man, I’ve been watching this site for a couple of years now, and through that time I’ve become a huge proponent of DIY. Being poor and lacking tools, I’ve started a DIY “fund” ($5 every Sunday night) to save up for things like parts to build my own CNC mill. This is cool stuff here, and not too expensive, either. I just might have to buy one. Or make one.

Way to go on keeping this site full of the latest absolutely bangin’ hacks!

Posted at 5:47 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by Dash_Merc

i am not a tool, i am not a tool! (altered mrs. doubtfire line [original: i... amnotacook, i... amnotacook!])
please, i am not desperate for a badge, it makes no nevermind to me. if you desire, pick someone else whom you would rather give it to.

Posted at 5:48 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by not a tool

Now that kicks ass! Aluminum + CNC + Hack-a-Day = The Shiznit!

Posted at 5:51 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by Diesel

those look amazing. I would totally get one.

Posted at 5:57 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by expo25kr

If someone wanted to do an order, what format would you want the graphics in, any preference or are you doing the conversions? Also, any chance of bulk order of 50 or so? I was thinking like early bird perks for a LAN party registration, nice and inexpensive but damn cool looking.

Posted at 6:13 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by lofidelity`

Thats pretty awesome,
One day I’ll definitely buy one, so I can customize my case a little more, other than the Air China sticker and the random graffiti I’ve made with my trusty Sharpie.

Posted at 6:16 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by DanDan

Selling engraved aluminum plates, great idea. Any chance you will start offering larger ones anytime soon (possibly 4″x4″)?

Posted at 6:20 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by Chris Rybitski

sweet, I’d love to have one of them. Gotta love CNC.

Posted at 6:20 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by Joe

you might want to try using a countersinking bit for engraving, but u really have to watch the depth with things that angle

Posted at 6:32 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by cartufer

cool — i’ve been meaning to make a cnc mill, just haven’t had the time or money!

i’ll gladly take a badge

Posted at 6:35 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by alex

I can happily recieve a badge if you have any to spare.

Oh, and is #hackaday on EFNET the official irc?
If so, a few info’s/links would be recommended.

Posted at 6:50 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by Whitewiz

hack-a-day badges would be a good idea to raise money. i say go for it, more money means better things…

Posted at 6:52 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by kolwon

hahaha
super sweet
the only thing better than a hackaday sticker is a hackaday case badge!

Posted at 6:59 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by fiendskull9

i bought one! these are teh awsum

Posted at 7:06 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by califrag

Oh, I just love these Will. Think you could make me a custom one for my Ford Taurus? Just a nicle little round hackaday emblem? Please?

Whether I win one or not, I’ll be getting one of these for my case for sure.

Posted at 7:08 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by Andrew

man i can’t wait to buy one and maybe pimp it out even more, i’ll
probably try and put some LED’s in and maybe use my schools new
plasma cam to cut out “Hack A Day” hopefully i can.

Posted at 7:21 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by Sean aka wwsean08

If you want something custom shaped, email me and we’ll figure it out. Rounds are coming as soon as I find a good source for them.

Posted at 7:24 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by Will OBrien

Did you make this CNC machine in true HAD fashion, or is it stock? (Just curious. )

Posted at 7:44 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by Redbluefire

awesome idea and project

Posted at 7:45 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by crgwbr

The machine is a Sieg X2 manual mill that I converted to CNC. You can read about it here: biobug.org/machine-shop/mill/

Posted at 7:53 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by Will OBrien

Great idea!
I so want one of those on my scooter (my current Apple sticker just make it go slower).

Posted at 7:56 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by Bard Lund Johansen

Makes me want to break out the plasma torch and cut some larger versions myself. Might I suggest getting a few anodized in some nice colors as well?

Posted at 8:10 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by Drewid

Count me in.

BTW great site.

Posted at 8:10 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by riffer

Those look nice, would look even better if they were on my server case.

Posted at 8:18 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by Harrison

I’d love a Hackaday badge.

Posted at 8:19 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by Pfiffer

ooooooooh, delicious.

Posted at 8:20 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by Steve

I’m in for one.

Posted at 8:23 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by Trimzulu

They look pretty good, but 1 question - how thick are those badges?

It could just be zoomed in really close… but those look like some chunky badges.

Posted at 8:27 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by camperdave

hey hardwire here from Australia these badges look great and i would like some hackaday swag please lol :D :D :D :D keep up the good work guys

Posted at 8:38 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by hardwire

One of these would be sweet to stick on my laptop and parade around highschool. I wonder if anyone would recognize it.

Posted at 8:39 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by Mike

i will get one of these when i build my new computer.

Posted at 8:42 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by Elliott

Dude one of those would be amazing!

Posted at 8:51 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by Nick H

HAHA look at all the post from the newbs wanting a new badge. anyway looks awesome would look really well in black brushed aluminum too.try them on different materials and see how they come out.otherwise they look great.

Posted at 9:05 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by Uberwon

They look pretty snazzy.

Its definitely on my Xmas list for this year.

Peace

Posted at 9:31 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by Timmy

Will, Put me in the list for the badge drawing

Thanks

Joe

Posted at 10:36 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by Joe Pitz

Wow thats so cool. Ive always wanted to build my own CNC machine but never had the motivation. I am an engineering student and a programmer so it wouldnt be too hard for me lol.

Posted at 10:58 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by flubba86

Add me to the list! Thank you!

Posted at 10:58 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by Jakeh

oh nice!… now that would make a computer case pretty damn sexy

Posted at 11:06 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by LPS2

Generic suck-up comment!

Posted at 11:38 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by Alex

Very cool badges. I’d love to get one of those.

Posted at 11:48 pm on Oct 14th, 2007 by Henry

Yet another incentive to build a CNC machine. Looks good. The question is: where would it look better, on a high-end rig or the old Apple Mac Plus (for nostalgic purposes).

Posted at 12:00 am on Oct 15th, 2007 by HaX80r

Sweet. I’ve been thinking about hacking myself up a CNC machine for a while, but mainly don’t have the time. Glad to see you’re having fun with yours.

Posted at 12:04 am on Oct 15th, 2007 by Bobby Ferris

Please put me in for the drawing.

Thanks

Joe

Posted at 12:15 am on Oct 15th, 2007 by Joe Pitz

Sounds like an interesting business venture and the price sounds very reasonable!

Posted at 12:16 am on Oct 15th, 2007 by Alan

I’d love one. And to Lerneaen Hydra, it could be metal “dust” from the milling.

Posted at 12:57 am on Oct 15th, 2007 by Matt Rasmussen

Very nice, I have an old Unimat mill that I very much want to turn into a cnc, and every time I see a project involving diy cnc, it just makes me more enthusiastic about the whole diy lifestyle!

-Naiden

Posted at 1:37 am on Oct 15th, 2007 by Naiden

awesome!!

Posted at 2:12 am on Oct 15th, 2007 by lance-o-matic

I’ll find a box to put one on.

(It might not be mine.)

Posted at 2:25 am on Oct 15th, 2007 by colin

WANT. WANT. WANT. Also would LOVE Hack A Day Stickers.. and T shirts… and everything wonderful under the Moon’s night sky. :]

Posted at 2:32 am on Oct 15th, 2007 by Hybridchemistry

I think this is a great idea, there’s no such thing as too much Hach a Day schwag!

Posted at 3:25 am on Oct 15th, 2007 by Andrew

those are pretty cool, and it looks like your mill has pretty decent resolution. nicely done…i like the idea of using these to help support the effort. keep up the good work!

Posted at 3:51 am on Oct 15th, 2007 by kyle

I’d like a badge, if only I weren’t such a tool

Posted at 4:42 am on Oct 15th, 2007 by thip

Hey I ordered a bunch already, one for each pc that I am building, but how about one for the hood of my car?

I am the guy who got the hackaday tattoo after all…

Either way nice work.

Posted at 7:30 am on Oct 15th, 2007 by Darkrom

If you were hacking a case, you could just cnc the stuff right into the case. I am customizing a rackmount case right now, but I have no cnc equip. If I had one, I would have to take on a second job to feed it material for all my projects

Posted at 8:03 am on Oct 15th, 2007 by Ronald_55

Very nice. Great way for me to replace that CoolerMaster logo badge.

Posted at 8:25 am on Oct 15th, 2007 by elric

I am the tool you’re looking for!! regardless that’s pretty neat

Posted at 9:08 am on Oct 15th, 2007 by deadlight

Those are quite simply the dogs gonads! No doubt about it. One would look amazing when it covers up the nasty Dell logo on my PC at work.

Add me to the draw for some Hack A Day swag too!

Posted at 9:10 am on Oct 15th, 2007 by Simon

I love these, they would look great on my case.

Posted at 9:30 am on Oct 15th, 2007 by Richard

Those are neat-o bandit-o!

Posted at 9:34 am on Oct 15th, 2007 by unsupported

That’s a really good idea. Actual metal instead of plastic.

Posted at 10:01 am on Oct 15th, 2007 by Derek

Everyone else “Don’t need no stinking badges!”, but I do. That’s a cool idea. Are you just making them with Hack-A-Day logo’s or can we get other things engraved for an added fee?

Posted at 10:01 am on Oct 15th, 2007 by Jayson Allen

Add me to the chance to win, cause it might end up on a thinclient I am modding for my site (Not up yet.)

And any chance you can try a cutout instead of an engraving? How does it look like on .092″ aluminum flashing? Can you pick up a small sheet (6″x10″ for .35 cents at home depot) and try it out with the hackaday logo outline? I use the flashing as prototyping for metal designs, but its all diagonal cutters, tin snips, and ball point hammer for what I do. I don’t have a fancy smancy cnc mill.

Posted at 11:57 am on Oct 15th, 2007 by cde

very cool, ive been trying to mod my own pc case from scrath would like any imput you have hackers of the world unite

Posted at 12:00 pm on Oct 15th, 2007 by dragon

Kudos on the badge. If I don’t get a freebie I’ll have to order one.

Posted at 1:11 pm on Oct 15th, 2007 by wolff000

Great idea! I can’t wait until I get my own CNC mill going…

Posted at 1:35 pm on Oct 15th, 2007 by Tyler

Engraved bits would “pop-out” even more if some paint was wiped in to the grooves and then wiped away from the surface. That being said, you could offer a black, red, blue, green etc.. option.

Throw in some DIY anodizing and you’ll have tons of options. But a green anodized Hackaday badge with black accents would be just right.

http://astro.neutral.org/anodise.shtml

Posted at 2:29 pm on Oct 15th, 2007 by Sp`ange

Word! They’d probly be more like $10 if you ordered them from outside. Yeah self-sufficiency!

Posted at 2:37 pm on Oct 15th, 2007 by R*

Very cool idea. A few questions. Will you do different shapes and sizes? What kind of detail can you do? Hopw deep is the engraving and can you get them anodized in different colors?

Posted at 2:42 pm on Oct 15th, 2007 by Dan Zylenko

Can you send me one in New Zealand?

Posted at 3:14 pm on Oct 15th, 2007 by ClenchedTeeth

Pretty cool, I thought it was done with a laser at first glance. Not to shabby for a cnc mill.

Posted at 4:49 pm on Oct 15th, 2007 by Kyle

Oh man I’d love to be picked to BUY at least three for my various machines-wait- make that four!

Coolest logo ever!

Posted at 5:23 pm on Oct 15th, 2007 by strider_mt2k

CNC milling looks like a good way to make some money. Those badges look awesome, love to get one!

Posted at 5:30 pm on Oct 15th, 2007 by ed b.

I’ve been hear since the first post, hook me up!

Posted at 5:43 pm on Oct 15th, 2007 by chris

Kickass idea, I’ve already got a laser engraved top to my case. Would be awesome to have my own custom fan grill. Maybe i’ll buy one for ya.

Posted at 9:58 pm on Oct 15th, 2007 by WindWalker

if i hadn’t already ordered a badge for my case i would’ve gotten one of these, they’re WAYYY cooler. and a Hack-A-Day badge would look sweet proudly displayed on my case!!!

Posted at 10:50 pm on Oct 15th, 2007 by Brian

i like those CNC badges! sweet although they look real rough.

Posted at 5:11 am on Oct 16th, 2007 by polera mopeddelar

hack-a-badge contest coming soon.

Posted at 6:29 am on Oct 16th, 2007 by Antonio

that SO needs to be on my 68 Volvo 145s.

TECHNOVIKING DOESN’T WANT BADGE. BADGE WANTS TECHNOVIKING!

Posted at 8:16 am on Oct 16th, 2007 by Ryan G. Griffin

Ayo I am a Lasic Computer Engineer, Basically i write programs for cnc fusion lasers. Have you ever thought about outsourcing your badges? My company charges $100 an hour for custom laser cuts and i could get at least couple thousand on a 96×48 sheet of metal…. and it would only take a couple hours… also i could do any thickness of metal.. Just a thought

Posted at 11:28 am on Oct 16th, 2007 by SovietGhost

pretty cool, I would love to see one up close *(as in one for free)*
good luck with your venture

Posted at 2:00 pm on Oct 16th, 2007 by enigma-

hook me up!!!

Posted at 2:41 pm on Oct 16th, 2007 by pepethekingprawn

im not going to lie, those badges are freakin cool. i need one.

Posted at 3:42 pm on Oct 16th, 2007 by tophiannan

I love the idea of a custom plate for my PC. There could be a market for these things for a small office, or group, although I suppose plastic would be cheaper. Nice way to pimp out a machine.

Posted at 3:46 pm on Oct 17th, 2007 by Tom Levesque

Greetz from Holland (yes that tiny country in europe),

I’m not gonna lie: I want one, that badge (logo and cnc-ed aluminium) would look kick ass on my flightcased pc.

It’s a good idea btw. It’s hard to find industrial looking stuff for your pc out there

Posted at 7:07 pm on Oct 17th, 2007 by krispy

So where’s the LEDs?

Posted at 8:27 am on Oct 18th, 2007 by Chris

How do I buy one? paypal? let me know I want one.

Posted at 8:36 am on Oct 18th, 2007 by Jason stair

Dude… Nice badges! gotta love the hackaday logo, i wish i had a CNC mill, i LOVE the hackaday logo.

Posted at 9:56 pm on Oct 19th, 2007 by BomberBoysk

very cool. i would definetly pay 7$ for that!

Posted at 2:14 pm on Oct 20th, 2007 by Paul Sesink Clee

I want one! Hell, send me all of em.

Posted at 6:59 pm on Oct 23rd, 2007 by ilya

side project: CNCBadges

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