Neoprene is a chloroprene polymer. Although the “experts” on Reddit and Instructables, etc think it’s the same as chlorine compounded PVC, it’s not. I know ULS and Boston Laser have it on their “good to laser” list. Epilog has had it on both the good & bad list on and off. Not sure where they’ve landed.
A CO2 laser cuts it very nicely. Some of the other wavelength lasers not so much. No hydrochloric acid damage
Look for the black anti-fatigue rolls. Do NOT use the grey squares, from what I understand, the fumes are toxic. You may have to confirm, but I don’t use my forge GF to cut that kind.
Sorry, Will. I can READ. Harbor Freight’s prices are low because they buy from assorted suppliers (see my previous notes about inconsistencies). The ones in your store may well be EVA or perhaps you got a sales person who hasn’t looked at the packaging in a while. Did you go check or just call? We gave our four packages of Neoprene mats to the yoga studio next door.
YMMV. These posts were made to assist. Everyone is welcome to cut whatever they would like in their machine. For those (edited: not speaking directly to you, Will) are using a machine at a Makerspace or other shared facility, I’d like to think you’d err on the side of caution out of consideration for others. I belong to three and all of them ban Neoprene.
I got this foam from Joann’s but good luck finding it. They had 5 different foams 3 of them NOT laser safe in 5 different areas. be very certain of the foam type. This stuff is totally laser safe.
I used these settings on SKS foam from Blick, then stained with leather stain and painted the edge decor with a silver Testors pen. Top and bottom pieces are actual leather, and the two armor pieces are foam. Love how this came out.
Oh dang, thank you. So you think they had used the OP’s settings? I only ask because the back and forth between comments with settings, I am excited to try this on my LARP armor.
I’m still around, but COVID slowed my costuming stuff, then I had some work that I couldn’t share. My current settings for 5-6mm are below. I no longer buy from Harbor Freight. I mostly buy from TNT Cosplay or a local source.