Stuff you SHOULD NEVER try to laser

**Mitchell Andrus** · 08-05-2006, 9:45 AM

It's about time to compile a "don't do this" list for the benefit of those of us who haven't yet tried and failed.

The big one: PVC

There are likely things that burst into flames, turn to goo, release harmful gasses, shatter, etc. How about it.....

Mitch

**Guy Hilliard** · 08-05-2006, 11:05 AM

High lead crystal (24%) tends to shatter when engraved, but low lead (5 - 10%) seems to work better than ordinary glass!

Tempered glass can cause no end of problems, when you break the surface it turns itself into little pieces. It may take 5 seconds or 5 weeks but it will turn into little tiny cubes. Note that sand carving seems to work well with tempered glass and I haven't a clue as to why.

UHMW is OK (not great) in thin sheets (< 0.032") but turns into a molten mess in thicker sheets making a mess much like melted wax.

Guy

**Bruce Volden** · 08-05-2006, 11:34 AM

I have not tried it but I have heard styrofoam is a no-no??!!Bruce

**Bob Belt** · 08-05-2006, 12:01 PM

Tho not a no-no, HDPE (high density polyethylene) is a tough cut. It to melts like wax. A better sub is ABS.
Bob

**Dave Jones** · 08-05-2006, 12:03 PM

Styrofoams are made from polystyrene, so I'm guessing it's not bad for the machine like PVC, which turns into hydrochloric acid. But the fumes from styrofoam are going to be fairly toxic (like many plastics).

These are guesses. I don't know.

**Joe Pelonio** · 08-06-2006, 3:49 PM

The front of a mirror, it will bounce the beam and engrave the underside of a glass top, or damage a lense.

Some varieties of polycarbonate cut nicely, others produce a bright yellow smoke which I have not been able to identify as harmful but it's a little scary.

Fingers and other human body parts, or small live animals.

**Mark Rios** · 08-06-2006, 3:51 PM

How about a piece of fruit? Could you laser a banana?

**Thomas Hempleman** · 08-06-2006, 4:51 PM

Originally Posted by Mark Rios

How about a piece of fruit? Could you laser a banana?

You could. But they're much better fried.

T.

**Lee DeRaud** · 08-06-2006, 5:10 PM

Originally Posted by Joe Pelonio

Fingers and other human body parts, or small live animals.

How about large live...never mind.

**Barbara Buhse** · 08-06-2006, 9:58 PM

do you think if we lasered a peice of toast with a religious icon we could sell it on e-bay?

**Dave Jones** · 08-07-2006, 12:00 AM

I thought about doing that same thing.

**Lee DeRaud** · 08-07-2006, 1:33 AM

Originally Posted by Barbara Buhse

do you think if we lasered a peice of toast with a religious icon we could sell it on e-bay?

Like what, a picture of Yoko Ono?

**Joe Pelonio** · 08-07-2006, 8:05 AM

Yes, a banana would work fine. I've done some fruit, leaves, and cheese. Produce wholesalers are lasering the date on fruit and vegetables now, and a big novelty item is a bean lasered with some nice words and planted in a tiny pot, so that when it sprouts it says something on it.

http://www.spoonsisters.com/Merchant...uct_Code=47901

**Brent Brod** · 08-07-2006, 6:20 PM

Originally Posted by Barbara Buhse

do you think if we lasered a peice of toast with a religious icon we could sell it on e-bay?

I made an Elvis toast for a friend. She has it in her office/shrine. I was thinking if you "found" some Elvis toast on your plate at a diner in New Mexico, what a price it would command

**Pete Simmons** · 08-09-2006, 1:28 PM

A mirrored surface.... is there any real danger to the laser, lens, tube or mirrors?

The beam has been through all those items on its way to the target, so can a reflection really do any damage?

Thread: Stuff you SHOULD NEVER try to laser

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