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Laser Cutter / Engraver Information and Resource Links
Materials that are safe and unsafe to use with a laser
Materials you can safely cut with a CO2 laser:
Plywood, hardwood, paper, cork, acrylic, thin Delrin. thin ABS, thin Polycarbonate
Materials you can safely etch with a CO2 laser:
Wood, cardboard, aluminum (painted or anodized), stainless steel (with special coatings), plastic,marble, stone, tile, and glass.
NEVER laser these materials because they produce gasses that are toxic to humans, corrosive to your laser cutter and/or catch fire easily.
PVC (Poly Vinyl Chloride)/vinyl/pleather/artificial leather
Thick ( >1mm ) Polycarbonate
ABS over 1/16"
HDPE/milk bottle plastic
PolyStyrene Foam
PolyPropylene Foam
Epoxy
Fiberglass
Coated Carbon Fiber
Any foodstuff (unless the laser is dedicated to food only)
More detailed info here... atxhackerspace.org/wiki/Laser_Cutter_Materials
Plywood, hardwood, paper, cork, acrylic, thin Delrin. thin ABS, thin Polycarbonate
Materials you can safely etch with a CO2 laser:
Wood, cardboard, aluminum (painted or anodized), stainless steel (with special coatings), plastic,marble, stone, tile, and glass.
NEVER laser these materials because they produce gasses that are toxic to humans, corrosive to your laser cutter and/or catch fire easily.
PVC (Poly Vinyl Chloride)/vinyl/pleather/artificial leather
Thick ( >1mm ) Polycarbonate
ABS over 1/16"
HDPE/milk bottle plastic
PolyStyrene Foam
PolyPropylene Foam
Epoxy
Fiberglass
Coated Carbon Fiber
Any foodstuff (unless the laser is dedicated to food only)
More detailed info here... atxhackerspace.org/wiki/Laser_Cutter_Materials
Settings for common materials
YouTube videos and channels
If you are looking to get a laser at the lowest possible price then look into the Chinese K40 laser and then modify it per the recommendations on this channel... https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqCyShJXqnElPTUnxX0mD5A. He is able to get a modified $1,000 K40 system to perform as good or better than some lasers costing over $5,000. He is also an excellent teacher. Be prepared to spend quite a bit of time if you want to go through all of his material.
Facebook groups
Chinese K40 Laser Group - The K40 is a good low cost option if you modify its weak points.
RDWorks Learning Lab Laser Forum - This is the same guy as the one in the YouTube channel recommended above. Learn to modify a K40 laser)
Glowforge User Group (GUG) - The glowforge is somewhat expensive but it is very beginner friendly and a solid machine.
Boss Laser Operators - The Boss laser is a good lower cost ready to use alternative to the higher priced Epilog, Full Spectrum and Trotec brands.
RDWorks Learning Lab Laser Forum - This is the same guy as the one in the YouTube channel recommended above. Learn to modify a K40 laser)
Glowforge User Group (GUG) - The glowforge is somewhat expensive but it is very beginner friendly and a solid machine.
Boss Laser Operators - The Boss laser is a good lower cost ready to use alternative to the higher priced Epilog, Full Spectrum and Trotec brands.