Today we’d like to introduce you to Randolph Bauder.
Hi Randolph, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I am just a guy who likes to create stuff. My name is Randolph. I live in College Station TX and I am a die hard Aggie. I hold an associate degree in Mathematics, and a Baccalaureate degree in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University. I enjoy science, tinkering, and creating and have enjoyed it for most of my childhood and all of my adult life. I have had somewhat of a fascination with lasers too. Earlier in my adult life, I didn’t envision myself starting a business like this, but when I had the opportunity to start laser engraving a few years ago, I was all too eager to jump on it!
It started when my best friend Logan Brackin, a professional bladesmith and owner Brackin Blades Forge let me know he needed someone to do logo engraving on his knives. This is where it began for me; I started Vita Nova Laser Design™ as a business to engrave his logos. I invested in the hardware needed and spent an initial 400 hours learning graphics design, the software, hardware, and physics behind the operation and production of laser engraving. I started engraving his logos and slowly began taking custom design and engraving orders from then on. I have continued to learn more and more as I go. I currently work out of my garage and have a blast working with my clients. I engrave everything from tumblers, to knives and guns and I think I enjoy hanging out with my clients as much as I do engraving. Who knows how this business will grow, but I am excited to provide the service, excited to meet the folks I work with, and find joy in providing a product that others can enjoy for years!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One of the biggest challenges to overcome is the VAST number of different materials that are engravable. With the hardware I currently have, I am able to engrave all kinds of metal, steel, gold, platinum, titanium, aluminum, etc, most polymer/plastics, and leather (sorry folks, I don’t do radioactive metals or isotopes. I want to live a long life haha). keep in mind though, there are dozens of types of polymers, and hundreds of metal alloys. There are subtle differences in the way each of these alloys engrave and the finishes available. It can be quite a challenge to figure out how to properly engrave each of these individual alloys or plastics. Much of my ability to do so was gained through hard work, and a TON of practice. I spent hours and hours learning how modifying the laser pulse frequency, input power levels, galvomirror speeds, and laser timing effect the engraving output and final product. This is where much of my knowledge comes from. I do enjoy experimenting though, and even though I have learned alot, there is tons more to learn so I spend a lot of time experimenting with new materials and new techniques. Each time I complete an experiment, I review the results under microscopic magnification to see the microsurface roughness/finish.
It’s been a long road, mostly smooth, but has taken a significant amount of time to really dig into the details to learn my craft more.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Vita Nova is Latin for “new life”. I am a believer in Jesus and how He has breathed new life into me, I follow this as a sort of mantra. I want to breathe new life into the designs and ideas of those that bring them to me. I am a professional laser engraver and engrave on all metals, most plastics, and leather. I specialize in design and engraving on knives and guns, and I most especially like doing full pistol scrollwork (it is a very beautiful, rewarding result on these). Feel free to look me up if you want to learn more, www.VNLaserDesign.com and on Instagram|Facebook|Twitter, @VNLaserDesign.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Honestly, just use me as your engraver. I appreciate your support as a small (very small) business. It is hard to get noticed. I love talking with folks and I love hearing their ideas. It is a blessing to get to help others create cool stuff and put them on items that will last generations. Look me up and see if I’m right for your needs. If you have something you need or want engraved or designed, I’m your guy! If I have done engraving for you and you liked it, let someone know. That is the best way to spread the word. I don’t to advertising, so you all are the ones I need! Thank you for your support.
Contact Info:
- Email: VNLaserDesign@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.VNLaserDesign.com/
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/VNLaserDesign
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/VNLaserDesign
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/VNLaserDesign
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsJvVlGc-4tzwT8e3e8iJjw
Image Credits
Randolph Bauder
