09/13/2026
🔥 LASER MYTH #2: All laser settings are basically the same.
❌ FALSE!
For this test, I grabbed some scrap basswood and experimented with my COâ‚‚, blue diode, fiber, and UV lasers.
The idea was simple: take settings that would normally be used on one type of laser and try them on another. The results show just how differently these machines can react!
I’ll try to attach some videos of the process in the comments as well!
đź”´ COâ‚‚ LASER TEST
For this piece, I ran my normal CO₂ settings and then ran settings that would normally be used with my blue diode — both on the CO₂ laser.
As you can see, the normal COâ‚‚ settings gave me a lighter engraving. But when I ran the blue diode settings on the COâ‚‚ laser, it almost burned completely through the basswood!
That’s a HUGE difference just from changing the settings.
🔵 BLUE DIODE TEST
Now here’s where it gets interesting!
First, I ran the blue diode settings on the blue diode laser, where they were actually intended to be used, and it came out with a nice, dark engraving.
Believe it or not, the CO₂-settings pass is actually on there too, but it was so light it basically didn’t show up when those settings were used with the blue diode.
Then I tried the fiber settings and was surprised by that result too! Look closely and you can see how it mainly burned around portions of the curves. I actually had to run it super slow because the original pass was barely appearing. That is why you see the text below it
Same piece of basswood, but drastically different results just by changing the settings!
🟣 UV LASER TEST
The UV takes the cake for crispness on this test!
It handled the different settings with ease, and one of the coolest differences is how clean the engraving looks compared with the darker burned residue you can see from some of the other laser types.
And here’s the crazy part…
đź‘€ Look REALLY closely at the right side of the UV piece and you can actually see where I ran the COâ‚‚ settings.
Different laser sources can interact with the exact same material VERY differently. Speed, power, wavelength, frequency, focus, and the type of laser you’re using all matter.
So, Myth #2: All laser settings are basically the same?
❌ Definitely false!
Have any questions or something you’d like to see me test for another Laser Myth? Drop it in the comments! 👇