Wood is the most popular material for hobbyist laser cutting — and for good reason. It's forgiving, widely available, and produces beautiful results. But settings vary significantly between wood types and thicknesses. Here's a practical reference for the most common woods.
Not all wood behaves the same under a laser. Basswood and thin plywood are the easiest — consistent density, clean cuts, minimal char. MDF cuts well but produces significant fumes due to the binders used in manufacturing. Hardwoods like oak and walnut require more power but produce beautiful engraving results.
The biggest variable in wood cutting is not the species but the specific piece. Knots, grain direction changes, and density variations within the same board can cause inconsistent cuts. Always test in an inconspicuous area first.
Basswood and birch plywood are the most commonly used materials in hobbyist laser cutting. They cut cleanly and engrave with excellent contrast. Plywood may have voids in inner layers that cause the laser to behave differently — buy quality plywood for consistent results.
| Material | Thickness | Mode | Power (10W diode) | Speed (mm/min) | Passes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basswood | 2mm | Cut | 75% | 400 | 2 |
| Basswood | 3mm | Cut | 85% | 300 | 2 |
| Basswood | 4mm | Cut | 90% | 200 | 3 |
| Birch plywood | 3mm | Cut | 90% | 250 | 2–3 |
| Birch plywood | 6mm | Cut | 95% | 150 | 4–5 |
| Basswood | 3mm | Engrave | 40% | 3000 | 1 |
MDF cuts cleanly and consistently because of its uniform density — unlike plywood, there are no voids or grain variations. However, MDF contains formaldehyde-based binders that release toxic fumes when cut. Always cut MDF in a well-ventilated area or with proper fume extraction. Never cut MDF without ventilation.
| Material | Thickness | Mode | Power (10W diode) | Speed (mm/min) | Passes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MDF | 3mm | Cut | 90% | 200 | 3 |
| MDF | 6mm | Cut | 95% | 120 | 5 |
| MDF | 3mm | Engrave | 45% | 2500 | 1 |
Hardwoods require more power than basswood or plywood but produce exceptional engraving results. The contrast between engraved and natural wood is much higher on dense hardwoods like walnut and cherry. For cutting, multiple passes at moderate power give cleaner edges than one slow high-power pass.
| Material | Thickness | Mode | Power (10W diode) | Speed (mm/min) | Passes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oak | 3mm | Cut | 95% | 200 | 3–4 |
| Walnut | 3mm | Cut | 95% | 180 | 3–4 |
| Cherry | 3mm | Cut | 92% | 220 | 3 |
| Oak | 3mm | Engrave | 60% | 2000 | 1 |
| Walnut | 3mm | Engrave | 55% | 2000 | 1 |
The depth and contrast of a wood engraving depends heavily on species, grain direction, and moisture content. Engraving across the grain typically produces more consistent results than engraving along it. For deep engravings, multiple passes at lower power produce better results than one high-power pass.
Masking the wood surface with transfer tape before engraving reduces smoke staining on the surrounding wood and makes cleanup easier. Remove the tape after engraving for a clean finish.
Focus precision is critical for clean wood cuts. Even 0.5mm of defocus noticeably increases the kerf width and char. Check your focus before every job, especially if you changed material thickness.
Air assist helps wood cutting significantly — it blows char and combustion gases away from the cut path, reducing char on edges and preventing the occasional flare-up on resin-heavy pieces like pine.
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