Laser cutting acrylic mirror

[James Aldrich]

I usually cut acrylic mirror from the back side. But i do sometimes etch the front. Has anyone laser cut the acrylic mirror from the front before? Is it safe on the laser?

Jim

[Rodne Gold]

We cut from the front to stop melt from marking it , we cut with the masking on.

[Brian Robison]

The best way I've found so far is to get a plastic vector grid from Mike Null. I do a lot of mirrored acrylic and it was always a problem on the metal vector grid.
Why do you need to cut mirror side up?

[James Aldrich]

I sometimes engrave tihe mirror from the front, then need to cut it to a specfic shape. It would be easier to engrave than cut without moving the mirror. If I had to engrave the front than flip the mirror over to cut, it would be hard to align the mirror for proper placement.
Jim

[Kenneth Hertzog]

I have cut mirror from both directions with no problems. It was explained to me that when cutting thru the clear and the mirror on the back side the clear would absorb the backflash. I've not had any problems.
ken