Wood recommendations for engraved palques

[keith]

I have the opportunity to cut out certificates or plaques for a local sales rep to give to his customers. I've seen nice solid wood plaques engraved with very tiny letters with amazing accuracy. I believe the ones I saw were laser cut. These plaques would have a company logo, a "certificate of appreciation" title, and a few lines of text. I've heard that certain woods work better than others, and that some don't have to be sanded or stained after - they simply look great natural. As an experiment I tried this with MDF and Oak and larger letters came out fine,
5589 but the smaller letters chipped (see the capital "A")
5590

My questions are as follows:

1. Has anyone done this succesfully?
2. What type of wood should I try?
3. As a ball park, what speeds and feeds would you suggest?
4. What size cutters?

I'm sure more questions will follow - I'm going on vacation tomorrow for a few days but will check back ASAP. Thanks!!!

-Keith

PS - sorry for the small pics - I had to reduce the size so they could get uploaded

[mikejohn]

Keith
I have done quite a few of these in beech, at 18000rpm(router) at 50mm(2")ps, with a 60º V-carving bit.

.............Mike

[keith]

Thanks, I'll give it a shot.

-Keith