Bamboo

[Bill Overturf]

Does anybody have a recommended setting for Bamboo using an 80 watt laser (Rayjet 300 80 Watt)

[Joe Pelonio]

I only have 45 watts but engrave it at 90% speed 100% power. Cutting 1/4" I use 8 speed 100% power.

[Chester Lindgren]

I have a 75W Speedy 300 and we've been engraving bamboo plywood with 100-Power 35-speed (no cutting as the pieces are 3/4" and 1.5" thick...)
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[Doug Griffith]

Not to hijack this thread but I've been doing a bunch internet scouring looking for bamboo plywood. Not the typical bamboo, but the beautiful architectural type. In fact, I just bought a 4 x 8 sheet of a Neopolitan variety. The stuff is expensive. Expect to pay between $200 - $400 per sheet. There is also sugar palm, coconut palm, sorghum, and other varieties that are just as beautiful. They are renewable green products that I wish were more accessible both in obtaining and purchasing.

If anybody knows any good resources, please let me know.

Check out:
www.plyboo.com
www.kereiusa.com
www.teragren.com

Oh, this stuff is dense. I doubt many users on the creek have a laser capable of cutting it.

[Scott Shepherd]

Nice work Chester! Thanks for sharing.

You're right Doug, it's hard to vector. We did a 200 piece job which was 6 or 7 sheets of it (4'x8') a couple months ago. My first attempt was to vector it. While it did it, it did it slow and charred really bad. I think I even had to use multiple passes on 1/4" thick. That was one of the plyboo versions. It can be hard to locate. I had a tough time getting my sheets of it.

I've got a 3/4" thick job coming tomorrow, so it'll be hitting the router first!

[Steven Cox]

Our 60w machine cuts up to 4mm thick at 90% power and 8mm per second cutting speed. Engraving at 20% to 30% Power, 200mm per second speed with interval of 0.1

Bamboo Ply is great stuff to use and cuts/engraves beautifully, photo's come out fantastic. The only draw back is you must ensure you fully seal it including the edges before applying any top coats of clear, because it can go mouldy a few weeks later if its not sealed sufficiently and totally wreck the job. Clear top coats are not enough!.