finishing baltic birch

[tony mazzone]

I see items made out of baltic birch plywood all the time on the internet and just recently tried cutting some. I wasn't too happy with the results. I've made ornaments out of 1/8" alder that really looked nice. I wanted to try the baltic because it is cheaper but the edges char. Do most people put a coat of finish before they laser cut them. I imagine that the unfinished wood will get dirt and smudges on it that will not easily be removed.

[Michael Hunter]

Birch does show up smoke residue rather badly.
For jobs which need to be smart, I varnish with quick-dry stuff first (2 coats with a quick sand between) which makes it much smarter and easier to clean.
You can always sand unfinished stuff after lasering, but then you need to blow the dust off with an air-line as it sticks to the resins on the cut edges.

[Chuck Stone]

I slap on a coat or two of plexitone first. It seals the wood and
I get less residue. Anything left on the edges cleans up fast
with a rag and a little Simple Green or Krud Kutter.

I save the leftover clear acrylic scraps in a clean jar and cover with
acetone.. shake it up every now and then till the acrylic melts.
Thin with more acetone to a consistency you like. It can also be
tinted with dyes

[Craig Matheny]

Tony what settings are you using on your laser? I cut this stuff all day and very little residue or charring 45w epilog 100 pwr 18 sp 500 pulse