What you need to know about laser etched wood
Woodworking is a hobby, there's always room for new equipment, and with home lasers getting more affordable, now is a good time to explore how they might fit into your shop. You might be wondering how to laser cut wood, or how to convert your 3D printer into a laser cutter so you can try it out before you make a big purchase.
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But cutting isn't the only application for a woodworking shop. If you just want to leave your signature on a project, like with a wood burning tool? This is where laser etching comes into play.
In this article, we'll go into the ins and outs of wood laser etching, including the right wood type, tips and tricks for achieving clean etching, and even services you can use if you don't want to buy your own.
Not all woods are suitable for laser cutting, and while any laser cutter can etch, some are better than others. In the following sections, we'll discuss some important considerations to help you decide which wood and laser cutter is best for you.
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Unlike inorganic materials like etched metal or glass, wood has some quirks that can affect the quality of the final product.
Working hardwoods are very different from working hardwoods. Cork, any furniture or cabinet maker can tell you. Hardwoods are more difficult to cut, carve or even seal, and can be a test for even the most experienced woodworker, and using a laser is no exception. Hardwoods generally require higher power settings to use because they are so dense, which means cheaper lasers are not up to the task.
Closely related to the sap level is the color of your wood. Laser etching is a combustion process that darkens the wood underneath. The rule of thumb is to use light-colored wood to make the most of this.
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Simply put, more sap a darker image when the laser hits the wood because the melted sap helps burn the impression in. If that's what you're looking for, look for wood cut in summer, as trees cut in winter tend to have less sap, resulting in a lighter "ghost" look like the one pictured above.
Any laser engraver cutter can etch wood, as any machine capable of cutting material can also simply burn the pattern onto the surface of the material. If you're looking to buy a new laser, the overall price can range from $200 to a few thousand dollars -- just the tip of the iceberg. Accessories can push prices up even further.
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