For beginners: laser cutting guides
Choosing a laser, safety, your first cut. Every article on for beginners, with short answers and tables of real values.
3 min · 14.11 · Quick answerCan a Diode Laser Cut Acrylic?A blue diode laser (445-455 nm) cannot cut clear or most light-coloured acrylic, because the light passes straight through. It can cut thin, dark…6 min · 14.11Diode vs CO2 Laser: Which One Should You Buy?Buy a diode laser (10 W+) if you mostly cut thin wood, engrave, and want a small, cheap, low-maintenance machine. Buy a CO2 laser (40 W+) if you…6 min · 14.11Your First Laser Project: Cut a Christmas Ornament Step by StepTo cut your first Christmas ornament, download a free 3 mm plywood SVG or DXF, import it into LightBurn or your laser app, confirm its size,…3 min · 14.11 · Quick answerHow Long Does It Take to Laser Cut a Wooden Ornament?A typical 3 mm plywood ornament about 90 × 124 mm with 0.47 m of cutting takes roughly 1 min 48 s on a 10 W diode laser, 44 s on a 40 W CO2 and 22…6 min · 14.11How to Start Laser Cutting: A Beginner's GuideTo start laser cutting you need a laser (a 10 W+ diode or a 40 W+ CO2 machine), vector software such as LightBurn or the maker's own app,…6 min · 14.11Laser Cutter Safety: Ventilation, Fire and Eye ProtectionLaser cutter safety rests on four habits: vent smoke outdoors or through a filter, never leave a running laser unattended, wear eye protection…3 min · 14.11 · Quick answerWhat Laser Power Do You Need to Cut 3 mm Plywood?A 10 W diode laser can cut 3 mm plywood in about 2-4 passes at slow speed, 20-40 W diodes manage it in 1-2 passes, and a 40 W CO2 laser cuts it in…7 min · 14.11SVG vs DXF for Laser Cutting: Which File Format to UseUse SVG for most laser work: it carries units, colors and strokes and opens in nearly every laser app, including Glowforge. Use DXF when you work…3 min · 14.11 · Quick answerWhat Is a Laser Cut File and What Should It Contain?A laser cut file is a vector drawing, usually SVG or DXF, that tells a laser where to cut and engrave. A good file has closed paths at real-world…3 min · 14.11 · Quick answerWhat Is Kerf in Laser Cutting?Kerf is the width of material a laser burns away along a cut line. In 3 mm plywood it is typically 0.1-0.25 mm, depending on the laser, focus,…6 min · 14.11Cricut vs Laser Cutter: What Changes When You Make the SwitchA Cricut cuts with a blade and is best on paper, vinyl, fabric and very thin wood. A laser burns through material, so it cuts 3 mm plywood and…4 min · 14.11 · Quick answerDo You Need a License or Permit to Own a Laser Cutter in the US?In the US you generally do not need a personal license to buy or own a hobby laser cutter. Rules that can apply are local: zoning for home…4 min · 14.11 · Quick answerHow Much Electricity Does a Laser Cutter Use? A Home Cost ExampleA laser cutter costs very little to run compared with its material. Electricity use is power in kilowatts times hours, so a machine drawing 200 W…6 min · 14.11Can You Run a Laser Cutter in an Apartment or Rented Space?It can be done, but a laser cutter in an apartment needs a vent to the outdoors, a fire plan and, in most cases, your landlord's agreement. Smoke,…