Small engraving project on mild steel

[sallystrothers]

Looking for comments on feasibility and pointers. I have a small engraving project with three words about 3/8" tall by 2.5" long and I would like to do it on my shark. I am not sure the type of steel but I think it is a mild steel. Is this possible? Not trying to make a habit, it is just a one time job. What kind of bit? How deep per pass? Do I need to get come cutting fluid on the surface? I have reinforced the table so the tolerances should be better than from the factory. I even considered cutting a flat surface out of wood across the path to lay the metal on top of to ensure flatness relative to the gantry.

[Wolffie1]

Depends how deep you want the engraving.
On aluminium I go for .5mm pass at a time.
I have used just a V-bit and it worked OK but now I have bought a diamond bit so that I can use quick engrave.
For such a small piece I didn't bother with cutting fluid.
Depending of the thickness and size of your material, you can clamp it directly to the table, I did.
Hope this helps

Cheers
Wolffie

This was my first sample, I didn't bother cleaning it up