Acrylic Cutting & Engraving: Buy CNC Router or Laser Cutter?

[@dougcox835]

I think you're just a teeny tiny bit biased.

[@MimoWorkLaser]

Yeah, you got me. Just a little! How about you? Which one do you prefer?

[@dougcox835]

@@MimoWorkLaser Depends on what you're doing with it. I just have a "toy" cnc with a laser and have had more success with the router actually. My problems are always with alignments and getting things to actually work. The fumes are really nasty with the laser and the router is pretty much nothing.

[@MimoWorkLaser]

​@@dougcox835 Thanks for sharing your experience! For the fumes issue with the laser, you can try using an exhaust fan or fume extractor; it's really helpful. We've had great success with our CO2 laser for projects like cutting logo signage and engraving on acrylic trophies-always clean and precise results. I agree, diode lasers can feel a bit limited, just like a toy, especially compared to more powerful CNC routers. What kind of projects are you working on with your CNC router?