Favorite material?

[evansd2]

As always, previously:

[POLL] The best material to laser is

The best material for a finished product is… (Choose up to two) poll If you have specific details about why your choices are best, feel free to comment.

5 best materials of all time

I’ll Go First! Clear Acrylic Leather Wood Cork Particle Board

Favorite ProofGrade Materials?

I’m working on my first PG order and was wondering what people had purchased that they particularly liked. I know that everyone’s needs will be different but I am looking to experiment with this first order and thought knowing what others like might help with my (and others) order. Any comments about PG materials that people have in hand would be great. One question, I want to make a bag with a handle to carry very lightweight crafting materials that are about 10x24x1. I don’t want the bag a…

Best and worst hardwoods

I have seen some different threads talking about different woods (like I had the best day) so I already am thinking of staying away from Rosewood and Lacewood, and I know there is the wood toxicity database, but that seems to indicate all kinds of common woods are irritants. From just general experience, when it comes to fire, irritants, etc, what have been the best and worst hardwoods you might have used in your GF both for engraving and cutting? I want to get into thicker wood than is sold in…

…then some more specific slices:

Best & Cheapest prototyping material

Hi All, When I get my GF, I am going to embark on a dream… an series of art pieces that will be the perfect match for my new laser. This will require a great deal of experimentation. I can see myself blowing through a great deal of material to see if I can get all the components to both function correctly and move in a way that provides the desired effect. it involves stacking both 1/8", 1/16" stock. Possibly thiner. So here is my question… What do you think will be the most economical so…

What's the best laserable structural material?

For GF, that is (If I had a kilowatt-class laser I’d be all over the steel or titanium). I’ve been thinking probably baltic birch, maybe in phenolic-clad, but really not sure. Might be acetal (but spendy), might even be acrylic if you could get away from the cracking and brittleness. Some of the other plastics aren’t really laserable. Experts?

Best Material for living hinges?

So I made a few Magic the Gathering deck boxes for my son and his friends to store their commander decks in. I used draftboard and they looked great, but after a few weeks of use the hinge broke at the base. I am assuming it was mechanical fatigue from regular use. Does anyone have recommendations for better material or for methods of reinforcing the hinge? Thanks!

Best-smelling Burn

So over the past few days I’ve spent 11 hours engraving basswood. Just have to say, not only did it completely cover up the smell of the 10 hours of acrylic I’d done in the past week, I think it’s my personal favorite-smelling material I’ve ever used. I mean, it actually smells good to laser it! Can’t say that about many materials.

What's the best laserable structural material?

For GF, that is (If I had a kilowatt-class laser I’d be all over the steel or titanium). I’ve been thinking probably baltic birch, maybe in phenolic-clad, but really not sure. Might be acetal (but spendy), might even be acrylic if you could get away from the cracking and brittleness. Some of the other plastics aren’t really laserable. Experts?

Durable parts for machines

What would be the best material to use for a durable part in some type of CNC machine or other object requiring precision machining but high strength that can be cut with a Glowforge? For example, making the plates and various mounts for a home made CNC. In this example build, the maker uses Garolite for the plates. He machined them with a router on the first version of his CNC made with MDF and aluminum brackets… Garolite is strong but has some problems as to suitability for lasers. http://ww…

Coaster Materials

I am looking for recommendations on what materials work best to make a coaster. I am interested in using a type of wood and acrylic like TroLase from Trotec Materials. Is there a material that is easily available that will not damage with getting wet? Or is there a cheap coating I can apply to a material to get the finish that is best for a coaster?

Matierals

Hey all! I am wanting to purchase materials with my gift card from glowforge and wanted to know what is the best material for painting? I want to mainly make ornaments! Thank you in advance!

… and many many other “what’s the best X” type threads on here, just rummage and you’ll find more information than you bargained for.

https://community.glowforge.com/search?q=best%20in%3Afirst