Laser Cutting & Engraving
Settings, safety and alignment for diode and CO2 lasers, plus the box-making basics.
Safety & Materials
1 rule
Dialing In Settings
4 rules
Make or Break ShopSpeed / power test
For a new material, run a speed-vs-power test grid on a scrap of the real stock and read the best cell straight off the sheet.
The Crawlspace CraftsmanMax power in LightBurn
Set your controller’s max S-value (e.g. $30 = 1000 in GRBL) to match LightBurn’s S-value max so 100% in software actually drives the laser at full power.
Steve Makes EverythingSettings library
Run one focused material test to find good settings, then save them as a named material profile — build a library so each material is dialed in once, not re-guessed every job.
Laser EverythingGalvo timing & delays
Set jump delays to a safe baseline, then tune Start TC and Laser Off TC on a hatched-square test card until the fill lines just meet the contour with no gap and no burn-in.
Maintenance & Alignment
2 rules
Laser 101Beam alignment
Align the mirrors so the beam lands in the same spot at the near and far end of each axis — use a tape target and low power to walk it in.
Steve Makes EverythingMachine maintenance
Clean the lens and mirrors on a regular schedule and keep the rails and exhaust clear — a dirty lens quietly steals cutting power.
