r/Leatherworking • u/Ok_Ruin_8913 • 5h ago

Laser Cutting

Hello! Im looking for an entry level laser cutter and software to engrave, cut/upload files to cut that I’ve designed! What is a great small at home laser that you all might recommend! I am more of a structured creator that really likes to make computer renderings first!

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u/Rick_Androids 4h ago

Entry level is a very abstract take + depends on your location. Like certain companies are US only, like WeCreat.

Regarding abstraction - some people consider 5W Atomstack engraver for 200 EUR entry, some - anything below 5000 EUR fiber laser.

So you need to decide several things for yourself:

  • What kind of product are you making? This impacts the working area
  • How are you planning to manage the smell/exhaust? Some lasers have enclosure and additional filters, some are bare gantry. Leather being cut smells a lot like teeth being burred, not the best smell ever and also not the healthiest.
  • Nothing below 20W in diode will cut leather reliably. I would say 40W/60W diode or CO2 is your pick, but depends on how thick is the leather.

And the last but not the least. Is laser even a good match for you? It leaves a char on the edge, which will ruin the look on high-edge leather like buttero or crazy horse, etc. I work with veg tan, undyed so I can san the edge and dye it later, so it’s no problem. But it might be for you.

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u/Ok_Ruin_8913 4h ago

Thank you for this! Great insight and i will continue doing research! I really like the veg tanned as well!

5

u/Rick_Androids 4h ago

I would check WeCreat Vision with a possible 40W upgrade as a reference point and go from there

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u/OozeNAahz 2h ago

I have the 20W Vision and have cut a bunch of leather and done a bit of engraving with it. Couldn’t recommend the Vision enough if you want something easy to work with. It isn’t the cheapest laser on the market but very easy to use.

Will give one tip that took me way too long to find. I fill my sink with water and dunk every piece of leather in before cutting. Helps it lay flat so you don’t have issues with it curling or bowing as you cut. And after you cut it, it goes back in the sink and inscribed the cut edges with a mild dish soap and then rinse it. Gets the char off and leaves clean edges. As long as the whole piece is wetted it won’t spot/stain.

This may be a known thing for normal leather work. But was a game changer for me laser cutting it.

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u/1sMoreIntoTheBreach 2h ago

I use a Creality Falcon 2 in 12w. I don't remember what I paid but I'm generally pretty cheap, under $500 for sure. It works great for my purposes. I've used it to cut veg tan up to 10oz. The trick is to doo some test cuts with every new hide as they'll all cut a little differently. It works best at full power and a relatively high traversal speed and then make several passes. That way you don't end up scorching your leather. These days my knife work has gotten better so I actually use it mostly to cut patterns and templates out of cardstock paper. All in all its been an amazing time saver. For software, Lightburn is fantastic.