Your first Acrylic Project in LightBurn ( Good Beginner project)

In this video you will learn how to layout a taco stand from start to finish. You will learn the difference between the two different types of acrylic. Learn about node editing and using tool layers for design guides. If you haven’t played with acrylic this video can help you out. Once your done you can use these taco stands next time you have tacos. This video is a little long but it shows the entire process from start to finish!

[@michaelchristopher4859]

Years after posting and it's still relevant today. Helped me learn a great deal. Thank you

[@computercreationz]

Glad it helped!

[@jeanyvesparize5086]

It's clear, clean and precise, and, even if I'm French, I understand everything! Well done and thank you!

[@computercreationz]

Thank you!

[@zainabdelbazzi8623]

The single most directly useful video I've ever found online. Thank you.

[@computercreationz]

Glad it was helpful! thank you for your comment

[@JimmyLee0757]

I'm sure glad I found your channel. I guess I'm one of those guys who bought a laser, thinking just turn it one and make stuff. You make it look so simple but the detail you give in exactly what Need. I bought a Longer Ray5 10 watt set up and made a few hold down clips and burned a few holes in stuff🤣. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge.

[@computercreationz]

thank you for your comments

[@paulriggs42]

This is a great how-to guide, thank you !

[@computercreationz]

You're very welcome!

[@LJMcCart-LT]

You are the best!!! This was our first project with a CO2 laser and it turned out great, thanks to your video instructions.

[@computercreationz]

Glad it helped! thanks for the comment

[@W4AX]

Thank you for a wonderful tutorial. As a beginner it was super helpful. You are a great instructor.

[@computercreationz]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching

[@akc5150]

First time viewer and would just like to say a huge thankyou for making learning how to use Lightburn for easier than anyone else I've seen! Obviously I'm not going to remember it all but I know where to come for tips n tricks!! Subscribed!! 😁

[@computercreationz]

thank you for the comments and sub, I appreciate it!

[@ellewisentinc]

GREAT Video!!!

[@computercreationz]

Thanks!!

[@teque-awanderer1341]

Thank you for the very nice tutorial!

[@computercreationz]

You are welcome! Thanks for watching

[@wallyquantrom2694]

You really do a nice job, so many things right, like not moving the curser all over the place, thank you so much.

[@computercreationz]

I appreciate the input. thank you!

[@fredwienbarg5051]

I really learned a lot from this! Thank you again!!!

[@computercreationz]

You are so welcome! thanks for the comments

[@cindyrobinson2618]

Great tutorial! You have really helped me to learn lightburn…I so appreciate it! I’m not sure why you are not at a million subscribers yet!!! Your videos are so informative!

[@computercreationz]

I really appreciate your comments to my channel. Thank you!

[@bobsheppard5443]

just starting out thanks , really helps

[@computercreationz]

Glad to help

[@can5projects563]

love your video you really know your stuff well done mate

[@computercreationz]

Thank you for your comments, I appreciate you watching!

[@Vikingman2024]

Thanks for an excellent video!

[@computercreationz]

Glad you liked it!thank you for watching

[@karlriley1314]

Your video's are really informative. This is a really good video showing how to work LIGHTBURN. Thanks from a beginner. I just got mine, a 5.5 watt, in late aug 2021.

[@computercreationz]

thank you for your comments, I appreciate it. congrats on the diode!

[@iamsource4me]

Thanks!

[@computercreationz]

thank you so much, I appreciate you tip

[@Raynecolwell]

I love your videos. They have helped me so much!! Thank you!

[@computercreationz]

I'm so glad!

[@campisij]

i have watched your videos several times, and always find a new and usefull tips & details. thxs for the time and dedication without a doubt your explanations are the best and most detailed for newbies like me.

[@computercreationz]

Thank you for your comments, I appreciate your input.

[@germanmarcano5510]

I am just starting in this wonderful world of laser and your videos have been a school and inspiration to get me into doing more things, I have a small diode laser but already in plans to acquire a CO2 laser soon. Thank you very much for your explanatory videos, Always aware of the following

[@computercreationz]

Thanks for the comments and watching my videos, I too started off with a diode laser and quickly learned that they are capable but very slow. Graduated to a co2 and never looked back.

[@gregmullins1296]

Love this video. Thank you so much! I just got a laser and I have been figuring it out. This gives me a great project to try out.

[@computercreationz]

Glad it was helpful!

[@gonk58]

Thank you so much… I learned a lot.

[@computercreationz]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@ramsrjr]

Great video. Thanks

[@computercreationz]

Glad you liked it!

[@SkullyWoodMetal]

Great video, I appreciate the detailed explanation of how it works and how to do it. I can hardly wait for my laser to arrive so I can test it out.

[@computercreationz]

Thank you for your input. I really appreciate it. Congrats on your new laser. They are so much fun!

[@LowVisionUKTerrysView]

I always look forward to watching your tutorials, as soon as I get a notification, and this tutorial was absolutely brilliant. When I first saw it all, I thought, it was going to be so difficult, but the way you break it down and talk us through it, you seem to simplify it in such a way, I can follow what you are doing perfectly. Also, the way you explain what you are doing is extremely helpful to me, as it ensures I understand the reasons behind what you are doing at each point in the process. I have a couple of questions if you dont mind? 1. What exactly is the tool layer, and how do you create this - what makes it different to any other layer please? 2. You mention inlays with acrylic, it would be great is you would do a tutorial on doing this kind of thing, as it would be another learning for me to put to good use if that was ok with you? Again , so grateful for the time and effort you put into your tutorials , I really do appreciate it and built on my toolset for when my laser arrives soon... so excited Terry

[@computercreationz]

Hey Terry, I always appreciate your comments and input. A tool layer is a layer that is never output to the laser. It’s use is for layouts and design guides like you saw in the video. Let’s say you wanted to make sure a circle was a specific distance off of one side of your design. You would create a rectangle and assign one of the tool layers and use a a drawing guide. I appreciate all your comments.

[@carphotography]

at 16:08 where you I to insert and D to delete , you can skip all that and just press T for Trim (when in node edit mode) and it will take away the circle to the intersections, i found this out the other day and it really saves a lot of time :D great video thank you

[@computercreationz]

Thanks for the tip, it seems about the time I think trim will work on something it doesn't. lol Thanks for watching.

[@carphotography]

@@computercreationz yeah i was pressing them I's and D's for a while then i found out T does the same all in 1 key :D

[@warriors475]

Really like your videos great work keep them coming and in the same layman's terms is great thanks for all your time and effort 👍

[@computercreationz]

Glad you like them!

[@rockman49er]

That laser is awesome

[@computercreationz]

it’s been a great machine! thanks for watching.

[@fredwienbarg5051]

Thanks again!!

[@computercreationz]

Any time!

[@JenniferOlin]

This is such a fun project! I don't have a laser yet but now that I know I can make taco stands, I must make it happen! Husband is finally coming around to the general idea; my problem is still finding a space. I want a Thunder 63, I have room for a desktop laser. I don't want a desktop laser. I would take it over nothing, but I would really like a little more real estate to work with.

[@computercreationz]

Thank you for your comments. I really enjoyed making these. You can always get a Nova 24 and grow from there. The demand for these machines is such that if you decided down the road you wanted to go bigger you could see the 24 in days. Nice problems to have :) Just do It!

[@kcx3mom]

I have the 63- while it is a great machine and I can cut full sheets, truly I rarely use the full size. I started with a small one in the house- now I have to be in the Garage. That said if you buy any size thunder you will be happy!

[@bradouellette6558]

What a great video , thank you

[@computercreationz]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mudshark1971]

I love the green tint acrylic. I want to make some of these but dont think they will look as classy clear.

[@computercreationz]

I love the look of the green glass acrylic, it’s one of my favorite acrylic colors. thanks for watching

[@phantienhung93]

thank you sir,

[@computercreationz]

Most welcome

[@3DJapan]

29:21 I don't have Honeycomb. I use slate under my material.

[@transparentpeace2082]

Thanks for another great video! I’m really looking forward to using acrylic! Questions: 1. Any special grit sandpaper you prefer when gently taking down the edges? 2. Let’s just say there was a small flame up when cutting, what do you do exactly? do you immediately stop the machine, whip open the hood and spray with a little water bottle?

[@computercreationz]

Sorry I missed this post! I flame polish the edges on acrylic. Look up on how to do it. It’s easy! Adding air flow is the quickest way to midigate flair ups. If you have the ability to increase air flow while cutting that the best way. Be sure to have the proper fire extinguisher on hand always! Halon or carbon dioxide extinguisher. Dot use a normal abc extinguisher you will ruin your laser!

[@emanuelpelleg281]

Hi. I am new to your channel and to Laser Cutting. Your tutorial on the Taco stand was very clear and very helpful, even for plywood work. I had great difficulties, though, with welding. I tried very hard to follow your example but had to struggle for hours to get a few welding points done. It was very difficult to get the "tongues" to attach well enough to a rectangle so that they will weld, even after strong zoom in. It may be a result of my not so good an eyesight. Would you have any advice on how to make a "welding worth" attachment at the first trial? Thanks Emanuel

[@computercreationz]

I use fluid that is designed for joining acrylic. it fuses the acrylic together as one. be sure you using the right material to join acrylic. regular glue will not work.

[@emanuelpelleg281]

@@computercreationz Hi. Thank you for your answer. I must have expressed myself in a wrong way. My problems were with "welding" on Lightburn!,. when trying to follow your steps on that matter.

[@jbrondos]

From where do you buy your extruded and cast acrylic? Are there any "brands" that are less smelly (or toxic?) than others? If you use glue to put pieces together, what kind do you use? Very helpful video - thanks!

[@computercreationz]

I get mine locally at Jpplus. I almost always buy cast acrylic because I do allot of engraving

[@GunslingerOfficial]

what acceleration are you running on the engraving? looks so quick!

[@computercreationz]

Most of my engraving speeds run between 400-500mm/second

[@nomanmalik4816]

My diode laser 5.5W is not cutting the transparent acrylic. Even with 8mm/min with 100% power at several passes. Can you suggest some settings?

[@computercreationz]

To my knowledge diode lasers will not cut clear acrylic! Very thin black acrylic only but not clear

[@timbartholomew762]

Hello, love your videos very informative. Do you have a video on editing a svg in Lightburn. I purchased the svg and of coarse I don't know how to edit. I am new to the Laser. Thanks .....Melissa

[@computercreationz]

thank you for your comment. yes here is the link. kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3LYeYeKjZejn68

[@gabrielllamas9568]

Hi, i have the 35 100 ive been having problems with my air settings would you mind sharing the psi you use to cut your acrylic. Ive been waisting so much material trying to dial it in and have failed, i do have the digital pressure gauge similar to yours. Thanks for all the great content!

[@computercreationz]

When the laser is at idle push the green button on the low volume air side of your air control panel. Put your finger under the nosel and adjust the needle valve so there is just a faint amount of air coming out. My reading is .01 on my digital air gauge. If you ever see any flair up increase air flow to reduce the risk of fire 🔥 I like using Cast acrylic much better than extruded acrylic!

[@lightning4201]

Thanks. How exactly do you control air flow? Is that through your air assist?

[@computercreationz]

the first step is to turn off the air assist in lightburn , then if you have a THUNDER laser they give you an air control panel on the top left side of the laser . there are needle valves to adjust. if you have another laser you may have to install a air control valves

[@keithspencer4024]

Thank you for the content. I have just started to look into getting a laser printer and just came across your channel. I do woodworking and can see all kind of possibilities this would open for me. For someone with no experience with laser printing or graphic software would you say the learning curve is pretty high. I am just a little nervous that I may be getting a little over my head. Generally is there a lot of Time spent to set up each project?

[@computercreationz]

Getting a laser has made a huge difference in my woodworking business. There are so many things you can make with a laser. The learning curve with Lightburn is not very steep. There are enough good videos out there that you will be surprised how quick you will pick it up. I’ve only been using a laser for just over a year and it’s just allot of fun! Go for it

[@keithspencer4024]

Thanks for the feedback. Ordering on Monday!

[@computercreationz]

@@keithspencer4024 congrats that’s awesome. What did you decide on?

[@keithspencer4024]

Nova 35. I'll have about four months to study up and figure out how to run the thing.

[@computercreationz]

@@keithspencer4024 that whats I would have ordered if I had the space. You will love that machine. It will be here before you know it!

[@kastinnebe3939]

Where did you get those pins to support the acrylic? I'm getting a nova 24 soon and look forward to cutting acrylic

[@computercreationz]

there are honeycomb pins I got the file of the global Thunder Facebook page under files. congrats of your 24, I love mine!

[@lupdogdog5371]

Great video but what software did you use?

[@computercreationz]

LightBurn

[@fredwienbarg5051]

Amazing! How in the world did you learn all of this?

[@computercreationz]

I spend allot of time on KZbin too. lol

[@transparentpeace2082]

Thought of my other question :) Regarding using low air, do you just turn off the “air assist” in your layers setting to use “low air”? Any tips on how to turn the dials to the right amount? (Maybe so you just barely feel the air on your finger during a test?)

[@computercreationz]

You will always want some air flow to protect your lens. It also has to be enough to prevent flair ups. If you have a Thunder laser just use your needle valves below the green lights to adjust the perfect amount of air needed to give you that perfect cut or engrave.

[@phototec]

Hello, I am new to laser engraver and just purchased an 80 watt Red & Black laser from eBay and after installing Lightburn my image looks correct in light burn but is lasering backward on the material, do you know what is causing this to happen?

[@computercreationz]

you home position is not set correctly in LightBurn, go to the wrench icon and verify it’s set correctly with what your manufacture recommends. good luck and congrats on your new laser, how exciting!

[@laizestephane5632]

hy is it possible to cut whit diode laser 10 or 20w ( tool D1)?

[@computercreationz]

I don’t believe you can cut clear acrylic with a diode laser.

[@readingcraze7283]

Can you share details setting on Fill( engraving) like there are so many parameters I don't know what to choose

[@computercreationz]

it really depends on the type of laser you have if you have. use CAST ACRYLIC only for engraving you will get a much better result. sped for my 100 watt co2 laser is around 400mm/s with power ranges 15-20. lines per inch 318 or .08 and I always Defocus 1-2 mm

[@GBLW]

The machine you are using what would be the equivalent on eBay and would you suggest getting one off there or go for the expensive type like the nova 24…? Does the k60 move just as fast as that one you have or a similar speed?

[@computercreationz]

You get what you pay for form what I’ve seen. The eBay style lasers can be substantially slower. Thunder can run 1000mm/s where most typical eBay lasers max out around 300mm/s built quality is substantially better on the thunders. If anyone tells you they are the same they haven’t seen them side by side.

[@thomasstaples3060]

Is it possible to do this with a Ortur Laser Master 2 Pro?

[@computercreationz]

no I don’t believe so, diode lasers have trouble cutting clear acrylic

[@pamfordenbacher1516]

How do you get the engraving to loos so smooth. Mine has lines in it.

[@computercreationz]

Defocus your lens and increase you lines per inch will help

[@computercreationz]

Use cast acrylic for engraving it works much better than. Extruded

[@pamfordenbacher1516]

@@computercreationz Thanks you

[@virenkumar7880]

Which laser machine do you use??

[@computercreationz]

Thunder Nova 24-60 watt and Thunder Nova 35-100 watt. Thunderlaserusa.com

[@TinaThimlarRealtor]

I have the same machine can you screen shot your air settings?

[@computercreationz]

You will turn you air setting off in lightburn which means low volume air. Then adjust the needle valve just below the green light on the low volume air side. Adjust air flow so you can just Bailey feel it coming out of the nosle. Congrats on your 24, it’s a great machine!

[@darlenerobinson5893]

I love your videos. Do you sell this file?

[@computercreationz]

thank you, sadly I’m not set up for selling files

[@diykreatif4408]

Hallo sir,plss..3mm arcylic setting on sculpfun s6 pro ..plsss .it burn .plss help me sir.🙏

[@computercreationz]

I’m not familiar with that brand sorry!

[@diykreatif4408]

@@computercreationz alright,thnks for rply🤘