Scott let me know about Martin and Bre’s “new year’s project” on Make in which they use a 25W engraving laser to do a “fingernail etching” using a computer controlled plotter-type device with their hand restrained inside it during the procedure which took just a few frightening but painless seconds. Over time, the “calendar” will grow off of their fingernails — “instead of checking off boxes, we clip off our nails”.
Now, maybe like me you’re saying that’s not really body modification (any more than hairstyles or nail painting is)… But really, there’s no reason that this same method couldn’t be used to do a scarification project on skin as well… I’d just want to be very, very certain the machine was tuned to the right power level!!!
Photo by Bre.
BME/News and Modblog highlight only a small fraction of what
Woot! I submitted something! Hopefully next time I submit it’ll actually be of me.
Woot! I submitted something! Hopefully next time I submit it’ll actually be of me.
BTW, I forgot to mention this but if you follow the MAKE link, there’s a video of it being done.
BTW, I forgot to mention this but if you follow the MAKE link, there’s a video of it being done.
very neat. I’d like to see more intricate designs too
very neat. I’d like to see more intricate designs too
WOW, that’s awesome!
WOW, that’s awesome!
Oh, that’s so awesome!
Oh, that’s so awesome!
I’ll bet you could use this to temporarily brand new fingerprints onto yourself.
I’ll bet you could use this to temporarily brand new fingerprints onto yourself.
This looks fantastic even if it is only temporary. What will they think of next.
This looks fantastic even if it is only temporary. What will they think of next.
very interesty, great idea, i agree whit bucket of bunniees…infinit things can be done.
ps: i wacth modify – the movie, download… i didnt buy… im sorry… great documentary !!!!
where can i download more documentary like that one???? :/
very interesty, great idea, i agree whit bucket of bunniees…infinit things can be done.
ps: i wacth modify – the movie, download… i didnt buy… im sorry… great documentary !!!!
where can i download more documentary like that one???? :/
Is it possible to accurately calibrate the scale of the etching to the rate of nail growth? Do nails grow evenly or are they affected by certain biological factors?
Regardless, I like this a lot.
Is it possible to accurately calibrate the scale of the etching to the rate of nail growth? Do nails grow evenly or are they affected by certain biological factors?
Regardless, I like this a lot.
oh man i herd of fingernail tattoos but not laser etchings in them. where the hell can i get a laser from?
oh man i herd of fingernail tattoos but not laser etchings in them. where the hell can i get a laser from?
Paleblue — Perhaps if he wants time to pass more or less quickly he can alter his diet? 🙂
Paleblue — Perhaps if he wants time to pass more or less quickly he can alter his diet? 🙂
this is cool looking.
this is cool looking.
i would like too see how it looks from farther away. neat idea!
i would like too see how it looks from farther away. neat idea!
laser etching would be awesome to do on a larger scale somewhere on the body like the forearms, calves,etc
Would definitely be a lot more precise then current methods used.
laser etching would be awesome to do on a larger scale somewhere on the body like the forearms, calves,etc
Would definitely be a lot more precise then current methods used.
oh wow, that is really cool.
I’d do that, it beats acrylic nails!
oh wow, that is really cool.
I’d do that, it beats acrylic nails!
I must say this is beyond cool. This is the realm of geek modification.
I must say this is beyond cool. This is the realm of geek modification.
Wow, I think that’s amazing.
Wow, I think that’s amazing.
wow, that actually has pretty nice detail
wow, that actually has pretty nice detail
I think my fingernails grow faster than that.
I think my fingernails grow faster than that.
That’s ace!
That’s ace!
i want to do that with a piece of pizza etched on my fingernail that way when i cut my nails it will look like its getting eatin.
i want to do that with a piece of pizza etched on my fingernail that way when i cut my nails it will look like its getting eatin.
It looks like the right thumb caught a little skin on the 2008. I would like to know where one could go to get this done or if it has to be a DIY.
It looks like the right thumb caught a little skin on the 2008. I would like to know where one could go to get this done or if it has to be a DIY.
I always enjoy Bre Pettis’ podcasts and I hope to see the next one about this. Nail growth is effected by how much “wear and tear” they go though eg. Your dominant hands fingernails grow faster then your other hand and your toe nails grow slower then your hands.
I always enjoy Bre Pettis’ podcasts and I hope to see the next one about this. Nail growth is effected by how much “wear and tear” they go though eg. Your dominant hands fingernails grow faster then your other hand and your toe nails grow slower then your hands.
That’s fucking awesome.
That’s fucking awesome.
Superawesome! 😀 I do wonder to what extent it can be used on flesh though, since people are not exactly flat 😛
Superawesome! 😀 I do wonder to what extent it can be used on flesh though, since people are not exactly flat 😛
I like it !
I like it !
BuddyHaggard — Neat, I didn’t know that… it’s always interesting what “primitive” aspects are left in us.
BuddyHaggard — Neat, I didn’t know that… it’s always interesting what “primitive” aspects are left in us.
This is awesome! I think I could benefit from one that says “Stop biting me” over and over on every nail. 🙂
This is awesome! I think I could benefit from one that says “Stop biting me” over and over on every nail. 🙂
thinking of all the ugly and gross toenails I have seen here some people really should get “clean me” or “I need pedicure” on their nails. I guess I would get “I’m in a hurry” because my fingernails grow very fast.
thinking of all the ugly and gross toenails I have seen here some people really should get “clean me” or “I need pedicure” on their nails. I guess I would get “I’m in a hurry” because my fingernails grow very fast.
wow, that’s pretty awesome. i’m sure my nails grow faster than that, though, but i think a pattern or something would be really pretty if done right
wow, that’s pretty awesome. i’m sure my nails grow faster than that, though, but i think a pattern or something would be really pretty if done right
i really love the idea of this.
i really love the idea of this.
Whether this is classed as a modification or not, I think it looks fanatastic.
Whether this is classed as a modification or not, I think it looks fanatastic.
Fabulous! Too bad my weak nails are always breaking.
Fabulous! Too bad my weak nails are always breaking.
Awesome idea, but there are tons of issues with it being used for scarification. You’re limited by focus – the beam can only be focused on a flat surface (within ~1/8″) or a cylindricalish object with the right tools. Try “engraving” on a curved body surface like your arm and chances are you’ll be better off having someone do it the old way.
Awesome idea, but there are tons of issues with it being used for scarification. You’re limited by focus – the beam can only be focused on a flat surface (within ~1/8″) or a cylindricalish object with the right tools. Try “engraving” on a curved body surface like your arm and chances are you’ll be better off having someone do it the old way.
that’s the greatest idea i’ve seen in a long time. from watching the video, i love how he finds holding his thumb in the hand-clamp hurts him more than actually having the laser go across his thumb 🙂
that’s the greatest idea i’ve seen in a long time. from watching the video, i love how he finds holding his thumb in the hand-clamp hurts him more than actually having the laser go across his thumb 🙂
I posted on my IAM 5 months ago about wanting to use a laser for a scarification/branding. Skin takes a bit higher temperature to burn than a fingernail does, so I was aiming for a 250-300mw laser with a specific focusing lens. Of course, without the money to buy or build said laser, I haven’t been able to try it yet. Should be pretty simple to make a physical stencil first to make sure you keep your lines straight and free-hand it.
I posted on my IAM 5 months ago about wanting to use a laser for a scarification/branding. Skin takes a bit higher temperature to burn than a fingernail does, so I was aiming for a 250-300mw laser with a specific focusing lens. Of course, without the money to buy or build said laser, I haven’t been able to try it yet. Should be pretty simple to make a physical stencil first to make sure you keep your lines straight and free-hand it.