1/4” Cedar planks

[jl1]

Has anyone tried to cut and engrave through 1/4” cedar wall planks? Success? Settings?
LMK

[ovm.steve]

I use them a lot. They’re soft but look great when you get the settings disked in.

[jl1]

Settings?

[evermorian]

Welcome!

You might be able to find some by searching this category and, @ovm.steve might respond but, you would really be better served learning to test for your own settings. Materials from different sources vary. Materials from the same source vary. Machines vary some.

This post from @evansd2 lays out a solid methodology for figuring out settings:

New material cut test method

Don’t know what settings to use on a material? The only way to be sure is to test. Good news! You can effectively test on a thin strip on the edge of your material, it’s fast and easy. I use this shape to do so (SVG attached): [Material_test] Click here to download/save Or click here for the ZIP: Material_test.zip (3.3 KB) To use: Set the first operation to score (the numbers). You’ll use these to identify your cut pieces later. Set each of the curve shapes to a power/speed combo t…

[ovm.steve]

I don’t have any “one” setting for most material. There are a lot of variables in cutting and engraving; for wood there is species, grain, desired effect, thickness of material, ply or solid, surface smoothness, whether or not I masked… some of these factors change within the piece.

@evermorian

This post from @evansd2 lays out a solid methodology for figuring out settings:

I always do a few test pieces, but this post that @evermorian shared with you is the procedure I followed to arrive at my starting point.

This setting was for seasoned cedar (from pallets) with a smooth sanded surface. The focus was purposely set wrong to reduce laser lines and soften the edges.