PapaDave commented 2 months ago That is a terrific design and the execution is wonderful. I have never taken to using MDF in the laser because of the interaction of the material and the laser. How do you minimize the burning of the binder by the laser? Anything Ive done with the laser looks like I held it over an open fire to char it a bit. I really like the design. What is the tool it's made to hold?
Sorry Papa, Looking at posting this elsewhere and while re-reading the comments, realised I missed answering your question. One of the main reasons I like to use MDF is it's consistent size (thickness)... if you can consider thickness in the range of Chinese made 5.8mm to 6.2mm consistent... however, I find that the "glue" in the MDF reacts with the laser beam and seems to seal it to a harder perimeter finish... if you don't mind the perimeter's dark color (though it can be sanded off or the edges scraped away with a scraper and hand sanding for openings. The lases seals the edges, providing a less porous surface for application of CA glue... it still does soak it up, but nowehere as fast and if you work quickly, it bonds well. It does char on the top and bottom, but a pass of 240G on the ROS fixes that up... that is why I have put quite a bit of effort into air cup clamps to hold small pieces.
If your first cut is too short... Take the second cut from the longer end... LBD
