Are you looking forward to DIY a laser cutter kit for woodworking or need to buy an affordable laser wood cutting machine for beginners with CNC control system? Review this easy-to-follow buying guide with the most popular laser wood cutter, which can handle most wood cuts with ease, from simple wooden letters and signs to complex 3D plywood ornaments and puzzles, as well as wood wall art in various intricate designs.

What is a Wood Laser Cutter?

Laser wood cutting machine is an awesome CNC laser cutting system that comes with a CO2 laser tube to engrave and cut wood (solid wood, hardwood, softwood, MDF, plywood, bamboo), plastic, paper, foam, acrylic, fabric, leather and more nonmetal materials into different 2D/3D profiles and shapes. The cutting ability depends on the CO2 laser power, including 80W, 100W, 130W, 150W, 180W, 220W and 300W and other power options, and you can choose different laser powers and laser cutting table sizes to match your wood cutting and engraving plans & projects.

How to Use a Wood Laser Cutter for Beginners?

Laser wood cutting has the advantages of high precision, narrow cutting seam, high speed, and smooth cutting edge, which is different from circular saw blade to cut wood. However, because the laser focus energy melts the wood, there will be blackening during the cutting process, that is, the cutting edge is carbonized.

The first thing to note is that if you are cutting a thicker wood board, it is difficult to not blacken it, but after my test, I conclude that the wood board with a thickness of 5mm or less can be cut without much blackening, while 5mm The above depends on the situation, the following is a detailed description of what to do to prevent the laser wood cutting from turning black:

Maybe everyone knows that to avoid the carbonization effect of laser cutting, use high speed and low power. This is correct, but some are misunderstood. Some users think that the faster the speed, the better, and the lower the power, the better. In order to reduce the blackening, use fast and low power to cut multiple times. This is very bad, and the carbonization effect may be darker than normal.

Our low power and fast speed must ensure that the wooden board can be cut through at one time. The faster the speed is, the better, and the lower the power, the better. However, if the power is reduced and multiple cuttings are required, the carbonization phenomenon is actually more serious. Because the cut part will be burnt a second time, the more you cut, the more serious the carbonization.

So the first thing to pay attention to is to ensure that it is cut in one time, not secondary cutting, to avoid secondary damage.

Fast speed and low power are contradictory. The faster the speed, the more difficult it is to cut through, and the lower the power, the more difficult it is to cut through. We have to prioritize between the two. According to our experience, fast speed is more important than low power. Use larger power to try the fastest speed that can be cut through. Of course, this needs to be tested to get the best value. The following is the data we tested with STYLECNC's 80W CO2 laser cutting machine.

To cut 3mm glulam boards, we use 55% power and 45mm/s speed. Under this parameter, there is basically no blackening. We use 40% power and 45mm/s speed to cut 2mm plywood. We used 65% power to cut the 5mm plywood at a speed of 20mm/s. The 5mm wood board has started to turn black, but the situation is okay, and the hands are still not dirty. And we tried the maximum cutting thickness of this laser cutting machine, 18mm solid wood panels. Maximum power, turtle speed... (80 Watts is impractical, if you want to cut thick wooden boards, you can buy a 150 Watts CO2 laser tube), it's already dark, and the carbonization is very serious. You can use it with sandblasting machine to process if you care the final result.

Of course, in addition to the power speed that affects the blackening, there is also a very important factor, that is, blowing. You must blow strongly when cutting wood. It is best to use a high-power air compressor, because the other factor of blackening and yellowing is cutting The gas produced is blackened, and blowing can assist in cutting to make cutting easier and prevent fire.

Our test data are not limit numbers, they are for reference only, and some redundancy is left. Because the experimental data can be faster and lower power, but it cannot guarantee a cut through. Because other factors must be considered in practical applications: uneven platform, focal length problems caused by uneven wooden boards, uneven material of the three-ply plywood, etc., all have an impact, so be careful not to use the limit value to cut, it may be poor A little cut through. If you find that it is black no matter how you cut it, it may be a material problem, and the glue content of the plywood will also affect it. It is also very important to find more suitable materials.

Laser Wood Cutting Machine Features and Advantages

1. The top rated laser wood cutting machine with CO2 laser tube adopts more scientific design and high strength sheet metal frame, which can increase the fuselage strength more than 40% to prevent the machine from distortion during long term work. In addition, this structure is very stable and not easy to be out of shape. The sound insulation effect is good.

2. Advanced Ruida 6445G control system for CNC wood laser cutter is the latest generation of laser engraving cutting control system, the control system hardware has better stability, better resistance to high pressure, anti-static properties of interference.

3. New-style high-efficiency RECI laser tube is adopted. Laser beam is more stable than the traditional type. Usage age is more than 10,000 hours.

4. Taiwan HIWIN square linear guide rail will be installed on X axis and Y axis to ensure the laser wood cutter works stably and precisely.

5. The best CO2 laser wood cutting system adopts high quality professional square tube framework, with more than 40% higher fuselage strength than iron sheet structure. This design prevents the laser wood cutting machine from quivering, resonance and distortion during long term work.

6. Red dot position system is added in standard configuration, contributing to simple and precise working position.

7. The  best CNC wood laser cutting system adopts advanced LCD Screen + USB port + Offline Control, with professional motion control chip, which has the functions of consecutively high-speed curve cutting and the shortest path selection, which largely improves your working efficiency.

8. USB offline control system makes the wood laser cutter operation more convenient and faster.

9. Automatic up-down table for the wood laser cutter can be chosen for thick materials and high objects.

10. The cutting and engraving area is 1400x900mm for most of woodworking projects.

11. Unlike 3D printers, it requires no consumables.

Best Wood Laser Cutter Machine Specifications

Applicable Materials 

Affordable laser wood cutters are used for engraving and cutting variety types of wood, MDF, plywood, wood bamboo, acrylic, organic glass, crystal, wood plastic, garments, paper, wood leather, fabric, rubber, ceramic, glass, and other nonmetal materials.

Applicable Industries 

Affordable wood laser cutters are applied to custom woodworking, wood sign making, wood crafts making, 3D wooden puzzle cutting, wood letter cut, wood earrings cutting, wood panel cutting, acrylic cutting, fabric cutting, leather cutting, toys making, computer embroidery cutting, mould making, advertising and building decoration, packaging and printing, paper products cutting.

Laser Machine Work Samples Projects

How Much Does A Wood Laser Cutter Cost?

How much does it cost to buy a laser wood cutter? The price for an entry level wood laser cutter ranges from $980 to $3,280. A hobby laser wood cutting machine costs around $3,680. Industrial wood laser cutting machines cost between $2,000 and $15,800. The final price depends on the laser generator, laser power, table top, and more laser parts & accessories.

How to Buy an Affordable Laser Cutter for Wood ?

How to purchase a budget-friendly laser wood cutter with local pickup or global shipping? This is an annoyance you have to face after browsing and researching. You can do the majority of your shopping online by following the 8 buying steps below. Let's walk you through each step of the buying process.

Step 1. Request A Consult.

You can have a free pre-sales consultation with our sales manager, stating the type of wood you would like to cut, its size and thickness, as well as the shape and profile you require. You can find a variety of power and table size options. We will suggest you the affordable model with fast speed, high precision, good quality, and professionalism to match your specific needs.

Step 2. Get Free Quotation.

We will offer you with our detail quotation based on your consulted cutter. You will get the best machine specifications and the affordable price within your budget.

Step 3. Sign A Contract.

You need to review the purchase agreement to ensure that it accurately reflects your needs and the details of the laser wood cutter you specified, including payment information, terms and conditions, and then sign a contract to stipulate the responsibilities of both parties to ensure the completion of the buying process.

Step 4. Build Your Machine.

We will place a production order with the manufacturing plant and start the machine building process as soon as receiving your signed sales contract and deposit. During the manufacturing process, we will keep you updated with the latest news about your cutter with pictures or videos.

Step 5. Inspection.

The entire manufacturing process is subject to regular inspections and strict quality control. Your machine is inspected before leaving our factory to ensure it is free of defects and can cut wood as you expect.

Step 6. Shipping & Transportation.

After you confirm that the machine meets your requirements, we will start shipping to the agreed address according to the terms of the contract. You can ask for transport information at any time.

Step 7. Custom Clearance.

Customs clearance is an essential step in cross-border transactions. We will provide you with all the documents required for customs clearance at any time.

Step 8. Support & Service.

We can provide professional technical support and free customer service by phone, email, Skype, WhatsApp, online live chat, remote service. We also provide door-to-door service for all types of wood laser cutters in some areas.

Laser Cut Wood Tips

With the development of optoelectronic technology, laser cutting technology has a wider range of uses, and customers' requirements for cutting accuracy have also increased. Generally, there are four factors that affect laser cutting: cutting speed, laser power, cutting accuracy, and material. The first three factors are determined by the quality of the laser equipment itself, and the material is determined by the outside.

Wood is the most commonly used material for laser machining. Generally speaking, it is easy to engrave and cut. Light-colored woods such as birch, cherry or maple can be well gasified by laser, so they are more suitable for engraving & cutting. It has its own characteristics, and some are denser, so before cutting wood, you should first study the characteristics of wood.

The basic principle of wood laser cutting is basically the same as that of laser engraving. Both use high-energy-density laser beams to convert heat energy, which instantly causes wood thermal decomposition and carbonization, thereby removing part of the material. Compared with laser engraving, laser cutting cutting requires a lot of energy, and laser engraving does not need to cut through the workpiece, so the energy required is relatively small. Laser wood cutting generally uses non-contact cutting methods. Compared with traditional mechanical cutting methods, laser wood cutting has significant advantages such as no wood chip pollution, no tool wear, no need to change tools, and no noise pollution. Not only the patterns cut out are more beautiful than those cut out by traditional machine tools, but also the cost-saving effect is obvious.

For Our Work Steps

1.Before-sale,we will try to know your requirement about our cnc router specification and what kind of work

you will do .then we will offer our best solution for your requirement.

2.During production: we will send photos of machines during making. so you can know more details about

the procession of making your machines.

3.Before shipping,we will take delivery photo and confirm  the specification of order to avoid the mistake.  

Machine will be adjusted before it is delivered.

4.After shipping: we will sent out the documents for your customs clearance ASAP . and check the

approximate date of arrival.

5.After arrival: we will confirm with you if machine is in good condition.and see if any spare parts missing .

6.About teaching:  there are some manual and video about how to use machine , if you have question

about it. we will have professional technicist to help you install and teach how to use through skype ,

calling, video or mail.

Factors Affecting Laser Cutting Performance 

Laser cutting machines provide impressive precision and speed, but various factors can influence their performance. Understanding these factors ensures optimal cutting results and enhances the machine’s lifespan. Below are key aspects that affect laser cutting performance for both metal and nonmetal materials:

1. Material Type and Thickness

The type and thickness of the material being cut significantly impact the laser’s ability to achieve clean cuts. Thicker materials, particularly metals, may require higher laser power or slower cutting speeds, while softer materials like plastics and wood can be cut more easily.

2. Laser Power and Focus

Laser power and focus play a critical role in achieving precise cuts. Higher power allows for faster cutting of thicker materials, while proper focusing ensures that the laser beam stays sharp and accurate, preventing errors and inconsistencies.

3. Cutting Speed

The speed at which the laser moves affects the cut quality. Faster speeds can lead to incomplete cuts or poor edge quality, while slower speeds may improve accuracy but increase production time. Finding the right balance is crucial for optimal results.

4. Gas Assist and Pressure

The type of assist gas (such as oxygen, nitrogen, or air) and the pressure used during cutting help remove molten material and prevent oxidation. For metals, oxygen can improve cutting speed, but nitrogen can produce cleaner edges. Incorrect gas pressure can lead to rough edges or excessive heat.

5. Material Surface Quality

The surface finish of the material can also impact cutting efficiency. Materials with rough surfaces or contaminants may cause the laser beam to scatter, resulting in inaccurate cuts. A clean, smooth surface allows for more precise and efficient cutting.

6. Beam Quality

Beam quality, which refers to the laser's focus and consistency, is essential for achieving clean cuts. A high-quality beam results in better precision and smoother edges, while a poor beam may cause uneven cuts or excessive heat in the material.

7. Environmental Conditions

External factors such as temperature, humidity, and air quality can affect the performance of a laser cutter. For example, excessive moisture in the air can lead to condensation inside the machine, potentially causing damage or inaccurate cuts.

Package Of Machine

• The hobby laser cutting engraving machine is packed with cling films first and then film bags.

• The laser machine is packed with wooden case which is reinforced with the iron bar on the top and bottom.

• With this kind of package, all our laser machine can protect well during long trip by sea or by air.

Warranty 

• The whole hobby laser engraving cutting machine: one year.

• CO2 Laser tube: 12 months (this is what laser tube supplier offer to us).

• Laser lens and mirrors: for one month. If the accessories are broken because of quality problems during warranty time, we will change it by free.

• 24 hour technical support online like skype, whatsapp, remote, you can calling us if urgent.

• We offer free training in our factory, and our engineers available to service machinery overseas, but the round-trip air tickets, hotel and meals for the engineers should be paid by our buyer.