SHOP HACKS
  • Home
  • Improve your Workspace
    • Dust Collection and Air Filtration >
      • Table Saw Dust Collection
      • All About Cyclone Separators
      • Dust Deputy and Dustopper Review and Comprehensive Scientific Testing
      • Dust Sheriff Cyclone Separator
      • Dust Collection System Options
      • Air Filtration System Options
      • Why clean air matters
      • Is your shop air safe???
      • How to maintain healthy air in your shop
      • Dust Collection Resources and Links
      • Why I became obsessed with dust collection and air filtration
    • Storage, Organization, Efficiency >
      • How to organize your tools and materials
      • Workbench Build and Restoration Options
    • Improve your workshop floors and lighting >
      • Improve your floors
      • Improve your lighting
  • Improve Your Tools
    • CNC Routing / Milling >
      • What you can make with a CNC router
      • What are your options?
      • Getting Started with a CNC
      • CNC Enclosures
      • My Journey to CNC Machines
      • CNC Router Resources and Links
    • Laser Cutting / Engraving >
      • What you can make with a laser
      • Types of Laser Cutters
      • Laser Cutting Resources and Links
    • 3D Printing >
      • What you can make with a 3D Printer
      • Which 3D Printer Should I Buy?
      • 3D Printing Tips and Tricks
      • 3D Printing Resources and Links
      • My Journey to 3D Printing
      • Modified Makergear M2 with Heated Build Chamber
    • Vinyl Cutting / Graphics
  • Shop
    • The Ultimate Air Filtration System
    • Dust Sheriff Cyclone Dust Collector
    • Shop Vac Hose Connector
    • Drill Organizer with Easy Access Charger Shelf
    • Quik Cleat Organization System
    • Ultimate Flip Top Workbench Plans
    • DIY Hydraulic Lift Mobile Tool Base
    • Chop Stop
  • Community
    • Social Media Channels
    • The Shop Hacks Story
    • Blog
    • Shop Hacks Innovators Program
Machine rocket is also a great laser information site

Under Construction...
​
 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

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.

Forums

  
Get weekly blog articles and early bird discounts for new products
through the Shop Hacks Newsletter.  Every Friday at 3:30 Eastern Time.

SUBSCRIBE to the weekly Shop Hacks Newsletter

Site Map

Improve the feel and efficiency of your shop...
  1. Organization and Efficiency
  2. Floors, Walls, Lighting
  3. Dust Collection and Air Filtration​
Improve your Tools...
  1. CNC Routing and Milling
  2. Laser Cutting and Engraving
  3. 3D Printing
  4. Vinyl Cutting and Graphics
Shop Hacks Products...
​Build Your Space
© Copyright, Shop Hacks 2019
  • Home
  • Improve your Workspace
    • Dust Collection and Air Filtration >
      • Table Saw Dust Collection
      • All About Cyclone Separators
      • Dust Deputy and Dustopper Review and Comprehensive Scientific Testing
      • Dust Sheriff Cyclone Separator
      • Dust Collection System Options
      • Air Filtration System Options
      • Why clean air matters
      • Is your shop air safe???
      • How to maintain healthy air in your shop
      • Dust Collection Resources and Links
      • Why I became obsessed with dust collection and air filtration
    • Storage, Organization, Efficiency >
      • How to organize your tools and materials
      • Workbench Build and Restoration Options
    • Improve your workshop floors and lighting >
      • Improve your floors
      • Improve your lighting
  • Improve Your Tools
    • CNC Routing / Milling >
      • What you can make with a CNC router
      • What are your options?
      • Getting Started with a CNC
      • CNC Enclosures
      • My Journey to CNC Machines
      • CNC Router Resources and Links
    • Laser Cutting / Engraving >
      • What you can make with a laser
      • Types of Laser Cutters
      • Laser Cutting Resources and Links
    • 3D Printing >
      • What you can make with a 3D Printer
      • Which 3D Printer Should I Buy?
      • 3D Printing Tips and Tricks
      • 3D Printing Resources and Links
      • My Journey to 3D Printing
      • Modified Makergear M2 with Heated Build Chamber
    • Vinyl Cutting / Graphics
  • Shop
    • The Ultimate Air Filtration System
    • Dust Sheriff Cyclone Dust Collector
    • Shop Vac Hose Connector
    • Drill Organizer with Easy Access Charger Shelf
    • Quik Cleat Organization System
    • Ultimate Flip Top Workbench Plans
    • DIY Hydraulic Lift Mobile Tool Base
    • Chop Stop
  • Community
    • Social Media Channels
    • The Shop Hacks Story
    • Blog
    • Shop Hacks Innovators Program