Can You Etch It – Laser Engraved Manhole Cover Coasters

Welcome to Can You Etch It, the web’s first laser engraving series that specializes in laser engraving strange, unique, and even common items. Today I’ll engrave several cork coasters with a manhole cover design.

How many times have you seen a manhole cover?  If you are like most people, that number is in the dozens if not the hundreds.  Yet, how often have you ever taken the time to look at the design?  Have you ever thought of what these ordinary covers are covering?  If you have ever worked for a utility company, chances are that you have.

Manhole covers are vital to our modern life.  Invented way back in Ancient Rome, these ordinary covers provide  utility companies access to their equipment and lines.  Some of the covers are decorative (like some in Japan) while others are ordinary and boring.  Luckily, many are interesting enough to catch someone’s eye and in this case, be turned into designs that are laser engraved on to cork coasters.

Why laser engrave a manhole cover design?

Interesting designs can be found in places we don’t expect.  Something just catches our eye and brings back a memory or we just like it.  For those of us that have worked in telecommunications, the bell symbol often takes us back to the stories told by co-workers that, as I was told, “have shoes older than you are” (that was one of my favorites).

I have always been amazed at the ordinary items from years gone by.  Often, these items are decorative in some way when they did not have to be.  To me, that shows pride in the work and a desire to create beauty in everyday items.  The simple logos are often what draws me to certain items.  In this modern world, it is easy to forget the power of a simple drawing or logo to convey emotion and meaning.  For me, there is great meaning and history in the simple bell logo.

Here is the video showing the coaster being engraved. The engraving took a little over 5 minutes so the video is sped up to keep it short.  At the end of the video you can see the final result. For more pictures, check out the end of the post.

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Can You Etch It Roundup

For those of you who are keeping score, here’s the list so far: manhole cover coaster, armadillo notepad, wooden postcard, a mat board picture frame, a mat board ruler, a hammer award, mini clip boards, an anodized aluminum ruler, hair bow, a couple of American Flags, a gift card holder, plastic labels, South Dakota frig magnet, a few failed light switch plates, a taco shell, Mount Rushmore coasters, house numbers, a cutting board, 6 social media icons, a mirror, a hand-drawn robot design, a CD jewel case, a pair of drum sticks, a luggage tag, a fishing reel, a couple of impact sockets, a drinking glass, a little industrial labeling, a baseball, a Frappuccino bottle, a tennis ball, 12 Scrabble tiles, a custom ink stamp, Thank You cards, M&M’s, a slice of bread, a clothes pin, a cinnamon stick, a sweet potato, a walnut, and a toothpick.

Let me know if you have any suggestions for future installments.  Have a great weekend.

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The post Can You Etch It – Laser Engraved Manhole Cover Coasters appeared first on Book Worm Laser & Design.

Have you read these posts?

1. Can You Etch It – Laser Engraved and Cut Woodworking Templates
2. Can You Etch It – Coasters
3. Can You Etch It – Laser Engraved Mat Board Ruler