Should You Buy a CNC or a Laser?

Thinking about investing in a CNC or a Laser Cutter? We show you the benefits of both while making a custom sign. Save 20% on your SimpliSafe security system and your first month is free when you sign up for Interactive Monitoring. Visit SimpliSafe.com/ILTMS to learn more!
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Should You Get a CNC or a Laser? | I Like To Make Stuff
• Should You Buy a CNC o...
I Like To Make Stuff
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[@Iliketomakestuff]

Save 20% on your SimpliSafe security system and your first month is free when you sign up for Interactive Monitoring. Visit SimpliSafe.com/ILTMS to learn more!

[@akumaking1]

Could you do a review of different 3D printers? Or try to make your own?

[@NoName-eh3jd]

hey how is it going with your ghia : )

[@joshfick4107]

Bob Smith Industries insta-set accelerator works great for any CA glue and doesn't hurt painted surfaces or leave a white residue like other activators will. I use a needle applicator bottle for better control instead of spraying, plus you don't waste as much.

[@mars-cs4uk]

You're promoting someone. Did you forget the subject? Just remained you the subject, Should You Buy a CNC or a Laser?

[@bkartonline]

Incredible! This turned out even better than I could have imagined. Thank you for making my silly dream a reality

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Ha! Of course! We love your work and will look for any opportunity to bring any of it to life.

[@GCubedProductions]

LOVED the tag on the end of the video replicating the PBS "thank you". That is a nice nod to the New Yankee Workshop and This Old House.

[@bytesizedengineering]

The only criticism I have for CNC machines is that they don't go "pew pew". This sign made my day. I can't stop smiling. Great work ILTMS!

[@newmonengineering]

Quick tip. For the template at the end, use wax OR Vaseline to cover the template back and edges this prevents the glue from sticking to it. Personally Vaseline is my favorite you can warm it a little and it becomes liquid and just paint it on. Super simple and glue never sticks to it. I also use it in some cases for painting to prevent paint from sticking.

[@reforzar]

I love Brian’s work. So awesome to see the collab. I want one of these signs for my shop!

[@Iliketomakestuff]

We're working on that. 😉

[@nerdyviews]

The New Yankee Workshop was one of my favorite shows to watch when I was younger and I've always seen your channel as a modernized version of it which is why I love watching it so much. Brian Kesinger's art and this episode were especially a treat for me. Definitely takes me back. Great job!

[@robertschaub46]

Love the sign, and thanks for that closing, it really brought me back to sitting with my dad and watching new Yankee workshop

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@gzaros]

Great episode, Bob and Team! I loved all the different areas, along with the tips, you touched upon; especially the primer for MDF. Extra kudos for that tip, thanks! And the sign was awesome too!

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Our pleasure!

[@LutherBuilds]

Love the walkthrough of making one of these signs. I see so many people making them and fewer people taking the time to walk others through the process.

[@SQLJedi]

An absolutely gorgeous sign. I remember watching the New Yankee Workshop. Great comparisons between CNC and Laser. Great job Bob, Josh and Andrew on the video. Keep up the great work.

[@StephenBoyd21]

That sign looks amazing. I’m in the process of deciding laser or CNC so this video helped a lot.

[@ParentsandProjects]

Great video and excellent comparison. I want both LOL. Thanks for running us through the process of making this sign, it turned out fantastic.

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Thanks for watching!

[@patrickmccain9592]

the commercial pip with content video in the background is genius! love your stuff brother!

[@johncaldwell1190]

This is perfect timing since I am wanting to make a sign for my shop that I just rebuilt.

[@jackwriter1908]

That Sign looks incredible... The Art and the actual piece. Truly amazing what happens when two great creators get into contact.

[@Cleopas82]

As a die hard NYW fan, this was epic, especially the "this was made possible by". Although I'm surprised I didn't hear "made possible by a generous grant from the Clagett Family Foundation". And as always, there's no greater safety tip than to wear these safety glasses.

[@GeeksWoodShop]

Can't imagine a better cross over, Brian's work being so amazing. So fun, so fun, great work

[@MCsCreations]

Beautiful work, Bob! The sign looks fantastic! 😃 Thanks a bunch for all the tips!!! Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Thanks! You too!

[@djweso]

I've loved both Brian Kesinger and this channel for some time. Two great tastes, taste great together.

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Brilliant Bob! Super cool sign, and great artist!

[@DIYGene]

Great information on CNCs vs Lasers. Thanks for sharing.

[@aomade6439]

EPIC nod to the New Yankee Workshop. The design, the opening credit music, and the outro "...and viewers like you." Love the homage.

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Anthony did a great job on the edit.

[@StereoMonkey0]

Man I miss Norm and the New Yankee Workshop. I remember the episode where he made signs using different techniques and met a master sign maker that did then by hand. Great homage with the Book of Boba Fett reference

[@Iliketomakestuff]

It was a fun project for an awesome artist.

[@bennettibey9498]

CNC is a large format planer as well. Further CNC tricks can start to replace bandsaws, jointers, and scroll saws at the expense of time and hot glue. I make cutting boards larger than 12" wide ..it is painful to think of life without a CNC to flatten them and make the juice grove. I own a laser and use that for thin high detail projects, but very rarely for cutting as the burnt edge is not my favorite. I would vote 4x4 CNC before laser for woodworkers. My 2 cents. Great video and sign. Now if only CNC machines could prime, sand and paint...🤔.

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Good point. We made a bench out of a huge log a while ago and used the CNC as a planer.

[@SpencleyDesignCo]

This was an excellent video! Thanks!!

[@marklengal9990]

Great video. I like the née look and format.

[@headzsets4337]

When one of your favorite KZbinrs collabs with one of your favorite artists. Watching this surrounded by the six prints I have of Brian's art in my work office. So cool!

[@bkartonline]

Thank you!

[@jeffmorlen]

Love the sign!! Thx for the files... I think I'll make one.

[@thomaslarson133]

I wasn't go to say anything until you mentioned this project on the podcast twice, but this kind of comes full circle for me. I grew up with my dad watching the New Yanky Workshop and being very (in a not too mean way) jealous. He would often say things at the TV like, "Cut it again Norm!" or "Oh just make a perfect joint why don't you?!", and that is how Sunday Morning TV was in the house. . . I started watching your cannel when you were building the Tie Fighter firepit and then binge watched a lot of your catalog.... Afterwards, I called my sister and told her "I think I found my Norm Abram" We both laughed for awhile over it. I to am jealous of the cool things that you build, But I do appreciate that you do talk through the issues you run into and troubleshooting of the problems. I think that is way I don't yell at my laptop screen. I do try to keep up in my own way, I have a fair few of my own projects, some even turn out pretty good.

[@Maddhatter3]

The music touch on the reveal is fantastic! Golf clap, chefs kiss, etc.

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Anthony did a great job

[@311baca]

Love the way you do your sponsors!

[@thebornmaker]

Great job on the sign but extra great job on that finale snow scene. That exposure and color was really nice.

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Glad you liked it

[@gregmullins1296]

Thank you so much for another great video!

[@final182]

After researching for quite a while I just pulled the trigger and bought a laser cutter for my workshop instead off a cnc. Main reason for picking the laser over the cnc was the dust a cnc would create. Other factors where the ease of use (No different tools and less cam) and hopefully that it would be easier to learn by multiple of my collegues

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Very good point. You just have to vent a laser where you have collect the dust from a CNC

[@ivmilicevic]

What laser did you pick?

[@final182]

@@ivmilicevic I got a BRM Pro 900. Its a dutch brand laser. 100 Watt glass CO2 laser

[@ScottMcClintockDesign]

Well done! Thanks for channeling the spirit of Norm.

[@ryandetzel848]

Thank you for the quick intro!!

[@Razer-pm9zp]

Love the video! Personally I feel like using a CNC generally results in a slower workflow, as there is usually a cost of CAM work (generating tool paths for the CNC to go from design to cutting). Feeds and speeds (how fast to cut, how deep to cut, how fast to spin the bit, etc) is an art in itself. That being said, the CNC definitely lets you do more things so there’s always a trade off :)

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Totally agree!

[@AtrumNoxProductions]

Seeing that sign was a blast from the past too!

[@Iliketomakestuff]

I know right?

[@BLau-oi4zc]

OG Maker route: DIY CNC machine, there are sooo many great follow-alongs and 3d printed versions. Great video, i had that question in mind 2 years ago and build the mpcnc. I think you did a good job by putting these parts to the different machines, good to understand for newbies. Also: nice tip with colorcore, sadly i did not found such a material in europe, maybe in the future.

[@MAKEITSF]

That sign is awesome! This made my day.

[@BruceAUlrich]

Great insights about both types of machines. And the sign turned out great!

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Thanks Bruce!

[@grumpywoodchucker]

So much good info in this video!

[@crosencrans1]

I just bought a laser engraver 3 days ago, and it is SO MUCH FUN! I'm also in the process of building a CNC. I can't wait to have some fun with that as well.

[@Iliketomakestuff]

That sounds awesome, good luck!

[@sgsax]

The sign looks really cool and this was a great summary of strengths for each tool, but the sign concept itself cracked me up. Loved the closing credit scene too. 🤣 Thanks for sharing!

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Glad you liked it!

[@hgtydjdjdgh67889]

Looks so good. The colors are perfect

[@sp.arccch6268]

Just for clarity CNC stands for "computer numerical control" so the rig that's moving x, y, z is the CNC, doesn't really matter what's attached to it. So basically both of these are technically CNC whether its a laser, water jet, router etc. Great vid!

[@aaroncherman7629]

This drives me nuts when people reference "a CNC". I get it, some people aren't educated, but this guy should know better. 🤦‍♂

[@David-hm9ic]

Exactly! It’s CNC; not “a CNC.” It is “a CNC router, a CNC laser” and so on. To call something “a CNC” doesn’t tell me what they have.

[@TheNewJankyWorkshop]

Absolutely loved this build. I've seen the sign in person (I'll skip the storytelling here, did that on the Making It ep. 340 comment on Patreon), used to run The New Yankee Workshop website, and got to hang with Russ and Norm for about a decade as their web guy. They'd be proud of this (although I am not sure they would get the reference).

[@MikeLynchMakes]

Oh heck yeah - I just got Brian's email about the The Tusken Workshop Design and I LOVE that you made it into a real sign!

[@Iliketomakestuff]

It was begging to be a real thing.

[@MikeLynchMakes]

@@Iliketomakestuff I couldn't agree more. Loved the little New Yankee Workshop nods in this episode too. Norm would be proud.

[@thestraynetwork]

I just noticed G1 Perceptor on your desk. Awesome!!

[@Maker238DeLoach]

Wish me luck as I enter the digital maker space. I just got your fusion 360 tutorial. And I heard you said that if I need help you guys make house calls. Awesome! Make On my Friends

[@Demasx]

What a gorgeous project!

[@jacobchovanec4240]

Beautiful project, and I love the PBS reference at the end, Anthony nailed it!

[@AnthonyRose]

Thanks!!

[@Iliketomakestuff]

He sure did.

[@ninab9538]

Love the video, lots of great tips! Thank you. ☺ What solvent or adhesive would you recommend using for floating letter (made from color core) on an outdoor sign made of pine?

[@gordonchapman222]

I have premium KZbin membership because I can't stand all the ads. However, I know having sponsored ads 'baked' into the video by the content maker helps the upkeep costs. I doubly apricate how you put a timer bar during the ad so I can easily skip it, thank you so much. After all, after watching a ton of your video's why would I want to see SimpliSafe again and again . Your channel is awesome 😎

[@Iliketomakestuff]

I really appreciate the understanding 👍🏼 Thank you!!

[@gordonchapman222]

@@Iliketomakestuff YW 😊

[@philoara5647]

J’adore vos vidéos ! Merci !!! Pour couper du MDF, qu’est ce qui est préférable : une CNC ou le Laser ?

[@blacktalonbased]

Always a good Thursday when ILTMS uploads.

[@Iliketomakestuff]

I'm glad we can be part of your week.

[@Pop_Gordo]

I recently had this debate with myself. I ultimately ended up choosing a laser for my shop. I make a lot of cutting boards that customers want with their name/logo burned on to it. I think the CNC is fantastic and I will eventually get one but for my needs the laser was the best bet. This is entirely subjective (like you said) and specific to my needs. I enjoyed the video as always!

[@residentmaker]

Great vid! Don't forget to show love to your local makerspace... for folks that don't have the budget for lasers and CNC machines, or don't have the space or ability to handle smoke and sawdust, community shops are a great option to get access to these tools for a monthly fee. Not to mention that you'll meet people to collaborate and share with.

[@Markevans36301]

Nice sign, nice video as always.

[@markdmaker3173]

Cool video, nicely done!

[@andygarcia3407]

Great Video! Absolutely agree thats the choice is subjective, however from my experience in working in a university FabLab, most students tend to lean towards the Laser cutter which is easier to learn and really fast. CNC as a slightly steeper learning curve and needs more set up. So I would say that unless you know you want to cut thick material (over 1/4 inch ) then you are going to be quite happy with a laser cutter, which is what I personally recommend first due to its ease of use and versatility ,and even more so if you are a beginner in these technologies. Sign looks amazing! keep it up!

[@RobinKurtz]

Thanks for the video Bob! Do you have suggestions for CNC and or Laser Cutters?

[@SchysCraftCo.]

Very nice job turned out very well there. Very well explained videos. Hopefully he loves it. Keep up the great craftsmanship and hard work my friends. Keep making. God bless.

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Thank you very much!

[@SchysCraftCo.]

@@Iliketomakestuff not a problem at all.

[@joegoble2134]

What a fantastic result! I'm curious: how do you avoid the white residue that can show up when using CA glue?

[@MartinFutter70]

A beautiful piece

[@marktracy]

Great sign, great video!

[@brianwelling]

Great video! For the color core: what bit, speeds, feeds, direction, cut depth did you use? Thanks!

[@roberth1858]

Enjoyed the video

[@gpaine]

I. Love. The. Anthony. End. Voice. Over. It's a perfect nod to The Old Yankee Workshop!!!

[@Iliketomakestuff]

He says thank you.

[@casperunnerup]

Pro tip. At 14.28 put some shallow shims under the layout template. That way you don't risk gluing it the to sign

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Good call!

[@ericlohr6036]

LOVE your videos!!!

[@JonathanRansom]

Nice sign! I need to get caught up on all the new Star Wars stuff...

[@eliosaile1689]

Love the new intro tunes!

[@sapelesteve]

That sign turned out great Bob! Hope that you are doing well & staying safe there with your family! Oh wait, you have SimpliSafe so of course you are your family are safe! 👍👍😉😉😂😂

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Yes! Thank you!

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Thanks so much

[@matthewroderique7468]

I'm a Signwriter who works in a shop with both the CNC and a laser, and I would agree that you can use each for what they do best but they also allow just like the video to do collaborations using both

[@yemarican]

maaan .. that was truly awesome! I like it very much.

[@bjbresulla]

I laughed instantly at the intro seeing the sign and felt like Steve Roger's in Avengers "I get that reference". Used to always watch new Yankee workshop on pbs.

[@schroederb2007]

Really appreciated the new yankee workshop vibe to the video *in norms voice* the most important safety rule is to wear these, safety glasses 😃

[@davidray2000]

3M makes an adhesive sheet that I attach to the back of my material before I cut it in the laser when I am making signs. The laser will cut through the material and the adhesive, and when I am ready to attach the letters I just peel the backing off the adhesive and stick it down. It's much easier than CA glue. The adhesive is called 3M 467MP Clear Adhesive Transfer Tape.

[@matthewk7487]

Honestly, one project I would be super interested in seeing is building a DIY CNC Router. I've watched so many videos, but nothing as well produced as your content. Really breaking down the process, laying out the parts, and showing the build would be a really cool video if you ever want to tackle it.

[@Iliketomakestuff]

oh boy. That would be hard for us because we aready have one and anything we'd make wouldn't be as good. There are a lot of makers that are currently doing it though. Two Cherries Instruments is building one.

[@vgamesx1]

Honestly, by far the easiest thing to DIY would probably be to get a 3D printer such as an Ender 3 and convert that into a CNC rather than trying to find individual parts or whatever to outright build your own and if you need more space just buy/make a longer bed.

[@ianbedwell4871]

@@vgamesx1 as an importer of cnc I have seen a lot of horrible home made stuff. What must people just getting into cnc don’t think about is the side loading on the cnc bits and the ability to manage feeds and speed of the motor. Most use something like a Drexel tool for the little ones or a hobby router with maybe variable speed for the larger ones. Nether tool is designed for continuous use or for long runs and most suffer from premature bearing failure. I am NOT trying to say buy only, I have also seen some great diy ones but think very carefully about what you intend to cut and how often.

[@macrumpton]

It would be a lot easier to make that sign with just a laser than just a CNC. The ability to make razor sharp inside corners is really useful. Also, you could start a signmaking business with less than $600 buying a large format diode laser, but $600 will not get you anything in the way of a large format CNC. Finally, the noisiest laser is quieter than the quietest CNC.

[@laertdossantos]

Beautiful, gooooood job

[@ajvaldez]

This is awesome, what machine would pair better with a Roland vg540 vinyl printer?

[@IEnjoyCreatingVideos]

Nice job Bob! Thanks for sharing the video with us!💖👍😎JP

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Thank you too!

[@IEnjoyCreatingVideos]

@@Iliketomakestuff Your very welcome Bob! Have a wonderful weekend!😎

[@cweagans]

Do you have a link to that air scrubber you showed in the video? The XL-300? Do you have a video about how effective it is and stuff? I've been in the process of building one, but that thing looked tiny and way better than the thing that I'm making. If it's more effective, then maybe I'll go that route instead.

[@xof-woodworkinghobbyist]

Great job! Do you have a reference for that bicolor plastic sheet you used?

[@jasont.1530]

Hi Bob, why did you use hooks to hang the sign instead of an eyelet? If outside, Id be worried about a strong wind blowing it off the chain. Long time fan, great work!

[@wayneashke1]

A comment about your editing, if you please. Love the vids. My comment is that it must take you forever to edit into the final product because you spend so much time laughing at the outtakes (or cringing at them). Keep up the great work. Love the variety of different projects you do.

[@Iliketomakestuff]

The guys save all my mess ups in a folder that they laugh at regularly

[@patprop74]

Shellac, plain old clear shellac, or the white shellac big box stores like to sell, is the best thing to seal MDF with a quick time drying and sealing properties

[@Colby.Stiles]

Bob, what CNC are you currently using in the video? Any suggestions on a good reliable CNC that’s not over the top on price tag but still a good solid product?

[@jdgindustries2734]

As usual, awesome stuff gang! That sign is an incredible piece. And I'm not even a Star Wars fan, lol. Wish I had access to CNC and a good laser like yours... I'd love to do a seaQuest decoration of the hammerhead like was on the bridge of the first seaQuest.

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Josh loved that show!

[@jdgindustries2734]

@@Iliketomakestuff Best sci-fi ever!

[@vgamesx1]

Just search for a makerspace near you, I have one nearby which charges $50/m which gives access to expensive soldering gear and test equipment, as well as power supplies, lathes, milling machines, drill press, grinder, band saw and several other things, so yeah it isn't exactly cheap, but you know, unless you're doing quite a bit of work on something then it doesn't make a lot of sense to spend upwards of $1000 to own a nice machine when you can just borrow it.

[@jdgindustries2734]

@@vgamesx1 unfortunately neither space nearby has CNC, one has a laser, but only a smaller bed capacity. But normally I'd completely agree with your idea. Especially since I sit on the Board of Directors of one of those two spaces 😉😁

[@bigginksu]

Oh this is awesome!! To keep with Norm's theme, you should start the video off with shop safety, and dont forget about safety glasses! Norm is a legend!!

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Sure is.

[@brettpeckinpaugh]

You could have used the CNC or Laser to create recesses for the letters as well that would help with alignment and for better glue options. You could cut for example an extra set of letters, put them in the recess when you paint and then cut the paint, pull them out. And you would have the back of the good letters not painted, so you have 2 good surfaces.

[@nitababcock3977]

Awesome!

[@senitacustomwoodworks9878]

I've been arguing with myself as to which machine I need to purchase, CNC or laser . . . After watching your video and knowing what my ultimate goals are; I need to quit trying to cut corners and purchase both! It's in my budget to purchase both machines, but I don't get thrilled about spending money LOL. After watching this video, you've once again taught an old dog new tricks! Keep up the great and informative videos!

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Great to hear!

[@Psychlist1972]

A note on tack cloths: the sticky stuff in them can cause issues with some finishes. There are ones specifically created for water-based finishes to avoid problems there. The default, if not labeled, is for oil-based finishes. Use the right one for the finish.

[@Iliketomakestuff]

I didn't know that, thanks for the tip.

[@ClintonCaraway-CNC]

I've been using a cnc for about three years. I agree it is more versatile and the way to start. I also agree that a laser would be a great way to complement the cnc.... in fact I just ordered a Thunder Laser USA-Nova 35-100watt!!

[@gjforeman]

While not quite as potent as Bob's dedicated laser, I found adding a small add-on JT Photonics 7w laser kit and Lightburn software to my Shapeoko 3 CNC gives me some laser options for far less money. Maybe someday I'll upgrade to a more serious laser unit.

[@agoogleuser1594]

I'll have to try the aluminum primer. BIN shellac has been my Frank's red hot primer for a while.