Hi Folks,
I am having a look at laser cutting some leather. I was wondering if there
is any kind of dye or treatment that I should look out for that might not
be laser safe?
Also, how would one test to see if something wasn’t laser safe?
I’m looking at cutting some gold leather and have asked how it was dyed but
am yet to receive an answer, it could be some kind of foil though.
I would be really greatful for replied in lame mans terms if at all
possible. You guys are so clever and technical it goes over my little head
sometimes 
Many thanks,
Boz
One thing to make sure is that you are buying real leather. Fake leather
is often actually PVC, which is VERY not laserable.
Most dyes etc are in such small amounts that you dont have to worry about
them.
Here are some pages about what is and isnt laserable from various other
hackerspaces world wide:
http://atxhackerspace.org/wiki/Laser_Cutter_Materials
http://wiki.acemonstertoys.org/Laser_Cutter/Materials
https://wiki.london.hackspace.org.uk/view/Laser_Cutter/Instructions#Chlorine_Testing_and_Material_Safety
Ta,
BobOn 21 September 2014 13:02, Bohemia Skye bohemia.skye@googlemail.com wrote:
Hi Folks,
I am having a look at laser cutting some leather. I was wondering if there
is any kind of dye or treatment that I should look out for that might not
be laser safe?
Also, how would one test to see if something wasn’t laser safe?
I’m looking at cutting some gold leather and have asked how it was dyed
but am yet to receive an answer, it could be some kind of foil though.
I would be really greatful for replied in lame mans terms if at all
possible. You guys are so clever and technical it goes over my little head
sometimes
Many thanks,
Boz
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Here is my ten pence…
Get your design entered into Inkscape - make sure it fits on a piece of A4
paper which is helpfully the same size as the bed on our laser cutter. We
can only cut things that fit on a sheet of A4. Try and make the design
multicoloured. Use one colour for the external outline, one for any
etching, one for any internal cuts etc. Try not to use red as a colour as
our laser cutter doesn’t appear to like that hue.
Next once the design is ready its time to get hold of some laser safe
leather (real leather preferrably not dyed) to cut / engrave etc. This is
generally real leather and not p leather or imitation leather. The leather
will need to be cut to A4 size and you will need to cover the leather in
paper or masking tape before it can be cut on the laser cutter.
Other than that it’s apply some of the laser cutter settings provided in
the links above and go for it. I would perform a test cut first on some
cardboard or paper to ensure the design is good and the settings are
reasonable. I would buy more material than you need and play with the
laser settings in order to ensure a good cut. If it were me I would ask
for Bob or Tas’ help with this and experiment.
Cheers
AlexOn 21 September 2014 14:35, Bob Clough bob@clough.me wrote:
One thing to make sure is that you are buying real leather. Fake leather
is often actually PVC, which is VERY not laserable.
Most dyes etc are in such small amounts that you dont have to worry about
them.
Here are some pages about what is and isnt laserable from various other
hackerspaces world wide:
http://atxhackerspace.org/wiki/Laser_Cutter_Materials
http://wiki.acemonstertoys.org/Laser_Cutter/Materials
https://wiki.london.hackspace.org.uk/view/Laser_Cutter/Instructions#Chlorine_Testing_and_Material_Safety
Ta,
Bob
On 21 September 2014 13:02, Bohemia Skye bohemia.skye@googlemail.com wrote:
Hi Folks,
I am having a look at laser cutting some leather. I was wondering if
there is any kind of dye or treatment that I should look out for that might
not be laser safe?
Also, how would one test to see if something wasn’t laser safe?
I’m looking at cutting some gold leather and have asked how it was dyed
but am yet to receive an answer, it could be some kind of foil though.
I would be really greatful for replied in lame mans terms if at all
possible. You guys are so clever and technical it goes over my little head
sometimes
Many thanks,
Boz
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You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
"Hackspace Manchester" group.
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Many thanks to you both for your help. That last link is particularly
useful, Bob.
So, I’ve got myself some real leather to laser. I understand that its going to smell foul. Which day would generally be best to come and have a go with it? Which day does there tend to be less people in the space?
In general any day bar Wednesday is fine. Let me know when you’re doing
it though as I’d love to see the results 
T.
Bohemia Skye wrote:
Hi Tas.
Most likely Monday evening if some additional materials arrive in time.
Boz.
Hi guys.
I’m struggling to find glitter acrylic in a reasonable quantity. Does anyone have any ideas?
