For many years I always oogled over the thought of being able to design with wood. I researched a variety of different machines, weighed pros and cons, and eventually found the unit for me.
In 2020 I was adamant about adding a laser to my collection. I initially had my eyes set on one and I was in the process of getting a loan approval when they hiked up the price considerably; to the point I realized nope- way out of budget for me. The team I was also working with completely cut ties with me too and I realized it was a blessing I didn’t go with them. So I started to research my options.
I started scoping out alternatives because I had people asking me “hey- can your plotters cut wood?”. Nope- not really. Which is when I came across the amazing OMTech community on Facebook. I joined about a dozen or so groups before finding the community.
Not only was the community super welcoming and warm, but my questions were all answered and the resources available really helped put things in perspective for me. I had the admins introduce themselves politely and even go as far as to sending me personalized videos of their set ups and customizations. The care I received was remarkable. Lightburn had a 30 day trial which I played with and realized it’s just like Adobe for lasers, and once my machine was in stock- I pulled the trigger! Although the admin guys may not know it, they deserve a huge shout out from me for all their help- thank you to Cam, Josh and Brandt for the hard work, dedication and making the community something I want to be a part of. They are incredible, kind and talented people who went out of their way to help me and now that I somewhat know what i’m doing, I plan on giving back.
My unit is a OMTech 60w! I plan on eventually upgrading it a bit more as time goes on. At the moment I am learning my materials and product types and testing out different things.
I will be re-working my site to incorporate this into my products. I also hope to launch my shop soon (outside of Etsy) and start moving things away from Etsy so I can better manage my own inventory and database. While I already sell vinyl and layered paper files along with various DIYS, I eventually plan on adding laser cut files to that mix!
Want a sneak peek at my first laser project? Check it out below!
First layered wood cut project and first engrave! Well, first tests on actual material and not on all the broken samples of wood that came from us pulling the crate apart.
Either way- I am so excited where this will lead me! Also excited to be learning my new machine. Shoutout and thanks to my Dad for going all out and really setting my unit up.
 Here’s some fun photos below of the arrival and me geeking out over this!
Also- the OMTech logo I added with my plotter. While I normally would never do anything of the sorts due to my IP stance; this company is truly amazing- and i’m proud to own one of these machines. I want people to know it too- if I were to ever take photos or share videos which I plan on incorporating more in the near future. I always get people asking about my machine and many looking to make the switch so I really wanted the photos to be self-explainable of where my machine comes from.Â
And as they all say in the laser community- HAPPY LASER DAY!
How big is this thing? Looks sick. I know nothing about these machines but it has peeked my interest. Iv’e seen ads for that small desk one but never a large one like this. What exactly can you cut? I know wood but is it just wood? I paint miniature scenes and was thinking this could be cool to help me make buildings. How thick can it cut? How do you upgrade this too is it like a computer and you can swap parts? Not sure I have the space for a big one but maybe a small one would… Read more »
Hello Zachary, Mine is a mid-range model, so it is on the larger side. They do also offer desktop models on their website. You can check out what they have on their website to get an idea of what one is suited best for you if a laser is something you are interested in – https://omtechlaser.com/ I cut wood and acrylic. I also etch/ engrave. Iv’e added a whole laser cut section on here with some examples of things I have made already. As far as thickness, I have done 1/8 and 1/4. Rumor has it with upgraded air assist… Read more »
Thank you. Will do and I will check this out. I get the general feeling of what you mean and it gives me something to research. Btw originally found your dice display which got me curious. Ever since DMD has been down iv’e had to patrol IG for dice things and think the display is pretty cool so I hope you eventually list them. I wanted to do a small sky scraper like tower for one of my sets but I don’t know if that is overkill. I’m more of a purchaser than maker with dice but have my first… Read more »
Thanks! And you should give it a try. Even if you don’t have a laser, you can try bass or balsa wood and cut it with an xacto if it is thin enough. You can also layer it to make it thicker. 🙂
I actually had a blog post in the works for resin- but completely forgot about it. Once I am able to pour again (still not warm enough outside yet) perhaps i’ll do up a post. Dice making is so much fun, you will love it!
This is so cool! People in the laser groups seem so kind and nice. I tried to get approved for a loan to get a Glowforge through an outside company and I did not qualify. I joined three groups just for Glowforge seeing what they suggest and someone told me to not even bother there are other lasers out there more afforbale. I heard of omtech and preenex and there was a H yeah or something? Have you heard of those? I might start with a k40 and see how that goes as it was suggested to me in one… Read more »
Hi Matt! I was in a similar boat. I was originally planning on a forge myself because it was the only laser I knew about; but I had a lot of issues with their financing company who kept rejected my credit score (which was 801 mind you). I called them numerous times and they had no idea why I kept getting rejected. Eventually other people chimed in and told me about OMTech which is how I ended up with one. I have heard of preenex (which if I recall is another Chinese laser) and slightly the HL-yeah; but I cannot… Read more »
I have been new and looking into lasers but I do not understand when to upgrade. How do you know when to upgrade what does that mean to? Also what does upgrade consist of? The computer board I think. Is it like a computer that you run a update on when they come out or is it something else. I would be interested in something that I can build like my computer but I don’t know where to start with that.
I just commented on your other post and was looking for a story like this to see how you went from graphic design to lasers. This answered some of my questions, but how did you actually grow your laser work and learn all of what you know? I would be interested in a full story from start to where you are now because I am also at the starting phase. My 50 Omtech arrived and I am trying to learn how to design and grow my products when I used to help my wife with her circuit work. We added… Read more »
Hi Mike! It was honestly a last resort jumping from illustration/ freelance work and buying a laser. I really didn’t want to go back to corporate if I didn’t have to, so I thought a laser might be the ticket to allowing me to design and create and make a go of my work. I too actually came from a Cricut and Silhouette background prior to my laser. Both can actually work hand in hand very well. Use the Cricuit to cut fake leatherette for jewelry, bracelets, etc or even use HTV or vinyl accents with your wood and acrylic.… Read more »
Thank you for all this information. I did not know that but was wondering if I could use some of the sheets in the laser. Is there any way to test if the fake leather is safe? Or where do you buy yours? I think I would like to try and do both. Selling hard products and files once I know what I am doing. I worry that if I make a design and show a photo of it completed if I do not sell the file right away someone will steal it and make that money. Have you seen… Read more »
I honestly do not know how to test the leathers, so I suggest maybe digging into some of the groups to see if there is more solid information on that. I usually buy my laserable leatherette from a company called Custom Made Better. The sheets have engraved and cut great and no issues there. Unfortunately, yes I have had that happened. I released a design than a week or two later, someone else made something similar and sold the file. It is the nature of business. Stealing and theft does happen. The important part is to just keep on making… Read more »
Thank you for all this info. I am sorry to hear that you have encountered stealing.
Noted about the painting. That makes sense.
I know you from the group so I will message you from there. Thanks again for being so helpful. If you decide on making a course for beginners I would be interested. Thank you again