Explainer: Which is the Best
Wood for Laser Engraving?
Are you on the lookout for the best wood for laser engraving project? If yes then your search ends here with our detailed explainer of how to select wood. Read along.
Type of Wood and Laser Engraving
Laser cutting and engraving have penetrated the DIY and art industry in a way that revolutionized how people used to make crafts out of wood. Light beams cut and engrave the wood in less time and also do their job most accurately. But people who just enter such a niche often get into trouble when they select a wood that is not suitable for their laser cutting and engraving hardware.
Engraving and cutting on wood that is not compatible with your laser or doesn’t comply with your customer’s requirements can end up in a real disaster, i.e., burnt surfaces, irregular cuts, and more. To select a wood for laser hardware, you have to consider these three things:
1. Type of Wood
Woods come as softwood, hardwood, and plywood in the market. The first ones (pine and cedar etc) are easier to cut/engrave with a laser but produce more residue during the operation. If your laser hardware has safety and air assist systems (like the one found in Ortur LM3) then you will be fine with this wood type.
Hardwoods like cherry, oak, and maple are denser and require higher-power laser modules for their cutting. The most commonly used wood is plywood which is engineered in a way to be friendly when used for laser cutting.
2. Thickness of Wood
Another factor is the thickness of the wood which is commonly categorized as thin wood somewhere in between (1-3 mm), medium being 4mm to 6mm and thick wood above 7mm. The thin ones are mostly recommended for fine cuts and require less power (a 10-watt machine will do).
The 4 to 6mm is the sweet spot for wood thickness and is also commonly used when dealing with structural and decorative projects (10 to 20 watts recommended). Ortur Laser Master 3 20W can also perfectly handle thicknesses of 10mm or more.
3. Quality of Wood
Three ways to check the quality of the wood that affects the final engraving; grain Consistency is the most important as it will ensure smooth cuts, especially for 1 to 3mm wood thickness. Also, look for wood that is dried out and does not have any Knots and cutting defects.
Now, that we know how to select wood for laser engraving here, below are the most common types of woods that one should go with laser cutters and engravers when making DIY projects or small-scale products.
- Birch Plywood
As mentioned above, plywood is most commonly used for laser cutting and engraving niches as it produces less fumes and is easier to handle as well. Moreover, it usually has no defects or issues like knots. You also get a smooth surface with a consistent grain and is suitable for making wooden signs, small to medium furniture components, and commonly used decorative items. - Basswood
Lightweight, pale in color, and has a smooth texture, which makes it ideal for engraving and cutting using a laser machine. Best for intricate designs in the craft category and is readily available. If you are planning to start a business of wooden products made with laser cut and engraved, this is recommended. - Medium Density Fiberboard
Commonly used for laser cut projects due to easy cutting, and is significantly cost effective. You also have virtually no grain patterns on the surface and gives smooth engravings when processed through a laser cutter.
The Ortur LM3 is optimized for all these three kinds of wood and gives you reliable results thanks to its “Quick Focus Stick” which has enough power to deal with all these wood types and gives consistent results due to an integrated air assist system.
Wrapping Up
When selecting wood for laser engraving projects, the entire experience can be overwhelming as laser cutters come in different specs and sometimes with bottlenecks. We recommend opting for the Ortur LM3 laser cutter and engraver which is optimized for most of the wood types out there and is also coupled with ultra-efficient safety systems to ensure smooth operation.
