Acrylic Sheet For Laser Cutting

If you use a laser for your side hustle it won’t be long before you begin to dabble with Acrylic Sheet for laser cutting.  From signage to keychains and everything in between, acrylic sheets can produce projects suitable for sales.  One of the major issues with acrylic sheet for laser cutting is sourcing the material.

A quick trip to Lowe’s, Home Depot, or the Craft store won’t get you much, if any selection.  I have been buying clear cast sheets from Home Depot for some time only to see the source dry up.  Additionally, there are different types of acrylic sheets.  Some are best for engraving, and some are best for cutting.

I have also sourced material from several manufacturers but never found the “perfect” acrylic.  I found my sources from laser forum discussions.  Conversely,  I have been around the block a time or two as it relates to acrylic sheet material.  It is tough to find a good source.
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Laser Buying Guide 2024

Laser Buying Guide

Welcome to my Laser Buying Guide for 2024.  Selecting a laser engraver is harder than ever before.   There are several types of lasers and more than a few selections within each category.

Over the years I have assembled many lasers and have sold more than a few.  And I seem to get asked the same questions over and over by prospective buyers.

Most new, prospective laser purchasers probably find out too late what their new laser can and cannot do.  It is important to understand the differences in laser types BEFORE you purchase one.
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Creality Falcon 2 Pro Review

Creality Falcon 2 Pro

I was recently provided a very cool laser to review from the innovators at Creality.  They are the Makers of excellent 3D printers and also desktop laser engravers.  I just got my hands on the Creality Falcon 2 Pro, 22 Watt Desktop Laser Engraver($1099).

I have to say this laser engraver has some very cool features not found in other desktop diode laser machines.  The list is quite substantial.

Buckle up for a cool laser ride.
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Algolaser Alpha MK2 Laser Engraver Review

Algolaser Alpha MK2

Around July of 2023 a new startup laser company, Algolaser provided me their first offering.  The machine was the  Algolaser Alpha which I subsequently reviewed here.  Algolaser, while technically a new brand, was founded by the originator of Ortur Laser.   Ortur was pretty much the first commercial seller of desktop diode laser engravers starting sales around 2019.  Graciously, they have just provided me one of their pre-release machines, the Algolaser Alpha MK2 ($749) to shake down.  Buyers can use the discount code MAX100 for an additional $100 off making the price $649.

Currently, my readers are also provided a mid year sale coupon code for the month of June for an additional $20 off.  The code is YTB$20 and it can be applied during check out. 

While the machines look very similar, the Alpha MK2 is slightly longer and contains a very nice touch screen on the front console.

MK2 Touch Screen

And without getting too much into the weeds yet let’s just say that the Alpha MK2 is a much smarter machine with a lot more features. The MK2 runs on embedded software that they refer to as Algo Operating System (AOG).  Power remains the same across both models at 22 watts.  That being said, the laser modules differ somewhat between the Alpha and the Alpha MK2.
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ACMER P2 33 Watt Laser Engraver Review

ACMER P2 33 Watt Laser Engraver

I recently reviewed the ACMER P1 S Pro and the ACMER P1 and now have been provided the ACMER P2 33 watt Laser Engraver ($799) to review.   At no time has ACMER attempted to influence the content of my reviews.  What you will read is exactly what I think.

I’d be remiss in not mentioning that ACMER is releasing their P3 IR and Diode Dual Laser soon!
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Laser Engraver Side Hustle Discussion

I’ve spent a lot more time on Laser Engraver forums lately and picked a few flowers out of those fields.  I’ll do my best to keep this brief and fun.

Poison Gas

Go to any laser forum and there is always one mama bear who will gasp with disbelief when some people post photos of the items they laser.  She (it is usually a she) will then post something like this:

“OMG, don’t you know that item releases Hydrochloric gas which will kill you and corrode your machine?”
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LaserPecker 4 vs xTool F1

LaserPecker 4

I recently got my hands on a LaserPecker 4 (LP4) and am giving it the old one, two.  Conversely, I already own an xTool F1 and thought it would be fun to do a head to head shootout with them.

Both have similar specifications.  And both contain a 2 watt 1064 nm IR laser, and a 450 nm blue diode 10 watt laser.  The working area is roughly similar on both lasers.  Additionally,  both have an extension conveyor and both can be used with a rotary device.

So you’d think that it would difficult to declare one to be better than other?  Trust me.  It wasn’t difficult to determine which one was better.

But we’ll get to that.
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ACMER M2 Rotary Review

ACMER provided me their M2 Rotary Roller ($89) to review.   I am no stranger to laser rotary devices and own at least 7 at the moment.

Many of these rotary devices are similar, however, there are elements that make some better than others.

The first thing I want to say about the ACMER M2 Rotary Roller is that it COMES ASSEMBLED.

There is nothing quite as enjoyable as taking parts, belts, motors and gears out of a box that contains no instructions and trying to put it together.   That simply isn’t the case here.

And it will engrave items from 4mm to 138mm in diameter.  Within that range are 4 width adjustments of 20/40/60/80 mm.
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ACMER P1 10 Watt Laser Review

My new friends at ACMER recently sent me their P1 S Pro to review and they promptly followed that up by sending me an ACMER P1 10 watt laser engraver, an M2 Rotary Roller, and an R10 Enclosure.

I’ll just be featuring the ACMER P110 watt laser in this blog though and will cover the other items in a subsequent entry.

The P1 laser checks in at $339 on their website with the 10 watt laser head.
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Best Budget Laser For 2024 – ACMER P1 S Pro

ACMER P1 S Pro

Desktop lasers entered the consumer market around 2019.  At that time they were reasonably priced.  This is kind of unusual as new Technology hitting the market usually has crazy prices.   However, as laser engravers evolve they are getting more and more expensive.   Finding a great machine at a budget price these days is tricky.   The folks at ACMER Laser Engraver have provided me their ACMER P1 S Pro ($199) to review.

You heard me right.  $199 on their website.  It is also available on their Amazon store for $199.  There are a variety of bundled laser kits as well which contain various options such as an air assist, honeycomb, machine enclosure, or Lightburn software.

Any time a desktop laser engraver pops up in the $200 or so range it excites me.  And this laser really excites me.  I have MANY desktop lasers that I have reviewed and believe me when I tell you that I can tell the good ones from the bad ones.

The ACMER P1 S Pro is a good one.
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