This seems simple with the LightBurn software - just a matter of getting the right combination of speed/power/passes values. I need to carry on experimenting with different materials, and I need to tackle combining engraving (brick courses and maybe score lines) on the same job as cutting. The physically larger Master 2 might be much more useful for modellers working in 4mm or above. The cutting area of this original "Master" model is definitely limiting too - around 150*160mm, but is generally OK for me working in 2mm scale. This sounds promising - I don't know if it will just be more powerful, or perhaps a different wavelength? Hopefully it will work as an upgrade for the existing machines.Īt the end of the day, I had in mind to buy this machine as a replacement for the Silhouette cutter without all the issues of trying to prise card off the carrier without ripping, and with sharper corners to small shapes. However when I was talking to Ortur customer service (very helpful - they helped me realise I was mistaking mm/min and mm/sec speeds!) they mentioned they are planning to "release a LU2-1 laser module in July, which it's specialized in paper cut". I don't know how much difference the 20w version would be - I doubt much. They do all need several passes at low speeds though - upto 7 or 8 passes.Ĭlearly there is no getting away from the fact it is a low powered machine.
I've also had good results cutting greyboard (back of notepad) and oiled manilla (which I'd seen recommended in another laser cutting thread). As expected with a diode laser, the black cuts in one pass, whereas white requires about 3 (because much of the light is reflected). No customs charge was applied - perhaps a lighter touch during the pandemic?Īfter some initial confusion from speed settings being quoted in mm/minute but the LightBurn software defaulting to input in mm/second (!) I've got some pretty good results on various types of card and thin ply.ġ60gsm card cuts nice and cleanly with a relatively slow speed. I followed some advice NOT to use the DHL shipping option, and it arrived within just about 10 days via "SprintPack" - strangely using a Royal Mail tracking number throughout.
It cost £150 including delivery from Gearbest. Well, I went for it and got the 15w (4.5w) version of the smaller original "Master" machine.