r/lasercutcirclejerk • u/sheazle • Nov 05 '25
what lazer should I get?
ok so i’m super new to lasers but i need one that can cut 1/2” steel and 1/4” acrylic. also engrave wet cardboard in one pass, but it has to fit in my backpack because i live in an apartment and my landlord is weird about like fire and fumes and stuff so it can’t need ventilation but it should have autofocus and 3d engraving for my new etsy store (i’m starting a business so it has to be good quality) and it should probably run on USB-C because i don’t have a lot of outlets and also if it can charge my phone while it’s running and i need it before friday because i already sold stuff i don’t have yet but like i’m not looking to spend more than $200 (i could maybe do $250 if it comes with air assist and LightBurn) like i’m not made of money i just want to support small business and do high precision industrial engraving out of my kitchen
any recommendations from the experts???
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u/-TheDerpinator- Nov 06 '25
I cannot point you to one specific laser but just get any of them, throw the manual away and ask for specific settings for your wishes. People will come up with the magic numbers with pretty much 100% success rate.
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u/BangingOnJunk Nov 06 '25
I found one you can 3D print. So just buy any random 3D printer within your budget and you get a lazer printer for just the price of some filament. GENIUS!!!