Question: Hard Anodized billet aluminum engraving?

[DiamondCactus]

I have some people asking me to engrave a little something on some Air cooled Crank pulleys, they are billet aluminum that has been Hard anodized, is this some thing that will hinder me?

they have these ones.

thanks for your advice.

http://cbperformance.com/catalog.asp?ProductID=1448

 

[g.rohrbaugh]

As a machinist by trade, hard anodize may chip a little. I know this from threaded holes that have been undersize after threading. But looking under the normal eye you may not not to see it
Gary

 

[tbear]

Maybe this will help you. It also depends on how thick the hard anodizing is. It is sometimes used to re-size bores on aluminum blocks. Should tell you how hard it can be. And there is always some below the surface.

 

[DiamondCactus]

thanks guys I really appreciate it.

 

[Tim Wells]

I've engraved several AR15/M4 type lowers that are hard anodized and it is a little chippy due to the thickness but not noticeable with the naked eye. I do not try to do things with the same level of detail I would on non coated metal and even then I use a narrow graver to keep the chipping down. Go for it.

 

[Neo Dutch]

Just watch that your swarf doesn't scratch some colour off.