Observe first use?

Laser
1

Good morning, I just finished the Thunder Laser 101 online course. I feel pretty good, but would feel better if someone with more skill would observe me for my first use. I’m trying to cut paper and tissue paper. Google said the latter might need a CO2 cannister to prevent it from catching fire so I wonder if one of the smaller lasers I still need approval on might be better for that.

I’m only trying to cut a donut for the first run so I promise not to take up too much of your time if anyone can observe my first use of the Thunder for the regular paper or get me squared away on the less powerful ones for the tissue paper.

Any evening this week or most of next weekend open. Thank you :blush:

2

I can help you out. I have been doing a lot of laser cutting lately. The CO2 we already have, it’s actually right next to the machine. All of the machines have a variable power, you can set them to barely kiss a surface or full blast. The only real difference between the thunder lasers is the size. The epilog is a different kind of laser, that’s very precise for engraving, but for your purposes the thunders will do just fine.

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  1. Lowest power. Use the lowest power possible. If you have to do a little bit of hand touchup on tissue paper with a scissors that’s not a disaster.

  2. Tests. I suggest you do some small tests (one inch squares perhaps).

  3. Settings. I’ve cut a lot of paper, but unfortunately I can’t read my settings files via the Jump server. IIRC, I’ve used about 8 - 10% power for “regular” paper and nearly full speed. IIWM, I’d start my tissue paper tests at about 4% power. That shouldn’t be enough to catch fire and if you have to increase the power on your tests that’s not a big deal.

  4. Tabs. You will probably have to hold down your tissue paper so it doesn’t blow around. I suggest you leave at least four tiny tabs on your pattern because otherwise it can raise up after it has been cut and get caught on the cutting head as the head move around. If your donut is huge, consider 8 tabs. Then just cut them with a scissors.

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