https://laserlineup.com/guides/51 guides to laser engravers, laser cutters and 3D printers, written from manufacturer and retailer pages.en-us https://laserlineup.com/guides/how-to-choose-laser-engraver-cutter/https://laserlineup.com/guides/how-to-choose-laser-engraver-cutter/Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTLaser types and powerStart with the things you want to make. The material, whether each piece gets engraved or cut, and the size of the biggest one will point you to a laser type (diode, CO2, fiber, or UV) before you open a single spec sheet. Wattage and price are second-round questions. https://laserlineup.com/guides/diode-vs-co2-vs-fiber-vs-uv-laser/https://laserlineup.com/guides/diode-vs-co2-vs-fiber-vs-uv-laser/Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTLaser types and powerThe difference is wavelength. It decides which materials soak up enough of the beam to be engraved or cut, which is why diodes suit wood, paper, and dark opaque materials, CO2 suits wood and acrylic, fiber suits metal, and UV suits fine work on glass and plastics. Comparing watts across types tells you almost nothing. https://laserlineup.com/guides/diode-laser-engraver/https://laserlineup.com/guides/diode-laser-engraver/Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTLaser types and powerDiode lasers engrave wood and paper and cut thinner wood and dark opaque acrylic. Clear acrylic is off the table at any wattage, because the blue light passes through it. On xTool's S1, going from 20W to 40W nearly doubles the thickness you can cut in one pass, at the cost of a slightly wider spot. https://laserlineup.com/guides/co2-laser-cutter/https://laserlineup.com/guides/co2-laser-cutter/Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTLaser types and powerIf most of your work is cutting wood and acrylic, CO2 is where to start looking. Acrylic absorbs the 10.6 µm CO2 wavelength well, so a CO2 machine can cut clear acrylic that a blue diode can't touch. What you give up is metal, and a glass-tube machine asks for cooling-water and mirror upkeep that a diode never needs. https://laserlineup.com/guides/fiber-laser-engraver/https://laserlineup.com/guides/fiber-laser-engraver/Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTLaser types and powerFor marking bare metal, in practice, yes. Metals reflect most CO2 laser light, while the 1064 nm wavelength of a fiber laser is the one widely used on metal. Choosing between fiber machines is the harder part: they differ in how large an area they can mark, which metals they can color, and which software can drive them. https://laserlineup.com/guides/mopa-fiber-laser/https://laserlineup.com/guides/mopa-fiber-laser/Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTLaser types and powerNot to get color at all. xTool says its standard-fiber F1 Ultra can color-engrave stainless steel and titanium. What MOPA adds is separate control over pulse width and pulse frequency, which gives you more room to tune colors and fine detail. For logos and serial numbers, a standard fiber laser does the job. https://laserlineup.com/guides/uv-laser-engraver/https://laserlineup.com/guides/uv-laser-engraver/Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTLaser types and powerPeople whose main work is glass engraving or fine detail on plastics and acrylic. Its 355 nm wavelength is absorbed by a wide range of materials and makes jobs like 3D engraving inside a glass block possible. For heavy wood cutting or color marking on metal, CO2 or MOPA fiber is the better fit. https://laserlineup.com/guides/laser-engraver-cutter-for-wood/https://laserlineup.com/guides/laser-engraver-cutter-for-wood/Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTMaterialsNo. Blue diode (455 nm) and CO2 (10.6 µm) are the two technologies xTool recommends for wood, whichever job you're doing, and 1064 nm fiber isn't recommended unless the wood is coated. Where the two jobs part ways is cutting, which needs more power as the wood gets denser and depends heavily on how smoke is cleared away. https://laserlineup.com/guides/laser-cutter-for-acrylic/https://laserlineup.com/guides/laser-cutter-for-acrylic/Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTMaterialsYes. For clear acrylic you want CO2, because blue diode light passes through clear sheet without leaving a mark. Dark opaque acrylic can be cut with a diode, but each color absorbs the light differently, so settings change from sheet to sheet. https://laserlineup.com/guides/laser-engraver-for-metal/https://laserlineup.com/guides/laser-engraver-for-metal/Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTMaterialsChoose a metal laser engraver by the finish you need and the metal's surface. Marking a coating, engraving bare metal, and removing material for a deep recess are different jobs. A fiber laser can cover surface marking and deeper engraving, but achievable depth depends on the machine, material and processing parameters. https://laserlineup.com/guides/laser-cutter-for-metal/https://laserlineup.com/guides/laser-cutter-for-metal/Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTMaterialsSome desktop fiber engravers list thin-metal cutting, but that does not make them substitutes for dedicated sheet-metal laser cutters. Start with your metal, thickness, part size and production needs. A machine that engraves metal does not automatically cut it. https://laserlineup.com/guides/laser-engraver-for-leather/https://laserlineup.com/guides/laser-engraver-for-leather/Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTMaterialsBoth diode and CO2 lasers appear in Trotec's leather-processing chart, but that does not make every leather suitable. Start with the material's confirmed composition and your machine manufacturer's guidance. Leather containing chromium (VI), PVC-containing synthetic leather, and hides of unknown composition should stay out of the machine. https://laserlineup.com/guides/laser-cutter-paper-cardboard/https://laserlineup.com/guides/laser-cutter-paper-cardboard/Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTMaterialsPaper and cardboard can catch fire during laser cutting. xTool specifically warns about cardboard and cartons. Its safety guides ask you to stay with the machine for the whole job, keep paper stock away from it, and have an extinguisher nearby. Check the material and its adhesive backing against your machine's guidance before processing. https://laserlineup.com/guides/home-desktop-laser-engraver/https://laserlineup.com/guides/home-desktop-laser-engraver/Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTSpace, skill level and budgetThree things: a duct path to vent smoke out a window, clear space around the machine with nothing flammable in it, and the time to stay beside it until each job finishes. A lid over the laser does not stop the smoke, and it does not rule out a flame. https://laserlineup.com/guides/portable-handheld-laser-engraver/https://laserlineup.com/guides/portable-handheld-laser-engraver/Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTSpace, skill level and budgetThe LaserPecker LP5's laser unit weighs 3.36 kg, and with its electric stand and protective cover the kit comes to 6.02 kg. The lightest model in the lineup, the 1.69 kg LP1 Pro, has a 0.5W blue laser, while the LP5 carries a 20W diode and a 20W fiber laser. https://laserlineup.com/guides/laser-engraver-for-beginners/https://laserlineup.com/guides/laser-engraver-for-beginners/Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTSpace, skill level and budgetThe easiest machine is one matched to your first project, with simple focusing and framing and a good set of maker-supplied material settings. Whether that project is wood, clear acrylic, or metal decides the laser type. An enclosure, a safety key, and an emergency stop are part of a safe setup from day one; exhaust ducted outdoors, eye protection, and staying beside the machine while it runs are the rest. https://laserlineup.com/guides/laser-engraver-small-business/https://laserlineup.com/guides/laser-engraver-small-business/Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTSpace, skill level and budgetYour best-selling product sets the laser type, the work area, and the accessories you need. Because you will make the same item again and again, compare machines on how much of the loading, aligning, and unloading their accessories can cut, and on whether good settings and positions can be saved and recalled, along with raw speed. https://laserlineup.com/guides/budget-laser-engraver/https://laserlineup.com/guides/budget-laser-engraver/Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTSpace, skill level and budgetThe base price alone won't tell you. Exhaust, safety gear, and the accessories your projects need can move the total a long way, and a single machine can nearly double in price from one bundle to the next. LightBurn, if you want it, is a separate purchase. https://laserlineup.com/guides/laser-power-guide/https://laserlineup.com/guides/laser-power-guide/Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTLaser types and powerOnly within one laser type. Among diode lasers, or among CO2 lasers, more watts means thicker cuts and faster jobs. Between types, the wavelength decides which materials the beam works on, so compare watts after you have chosen diode, CO2, or fiber. https://laserlineup.com/guides/laser-engraver-cutter-cost/https://laserlineup.com/guides/laser-engraver-cutter-cost/Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTSpace, skill level and budgetThe machine alone runs from a few hundred dollars for a blue diode to more than $10,000 for some fiber lasers. Exhaust and safety gear, project accessories, and software and consumables come on top. A 20W WeCreat Vision Basic Pack with the fume extractor and Rotary Pro bought separately, plus LightBurn Core, came to $1,887 at U.S. prices on September 23, 2026. https://laserlineup.com/guides/lightburn-core-vs-pro/https://laserlineup.com/guides/lightburn-core-vs-pro/Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTSoftware, accessories and safetyThe controller in your laser decides it. Core ($99) runs GCode-based controllers such as GRBL. Pro ($199) is needed for DSP controllers like Ruida and for galvo lasers running EZCad2, EZCad3, or BSL. Both are one-time purchases with a year of updates, and each can be active on three computers at once. https://laserlineup.com/guides/lightburn-vs-lasergrbl-vs-manufacturer-software/https://laserlineup.com/guides/lightburn-vs-lasergrbl-vs-manufacturer-software/Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTSoftware, accessories and safetyFor one machine from one brand, the bundled software usually does the job. LightBurn is for running machines from several brands in the same program, and LaserGRBL is a free choice for GRBL machines on Windows. Some lasers, including xTool's recent models, work only with their maker's software. https://laserlineup.com/guides/laser-air-assist/https://laserlineup.com/guides/laser-air-assist/Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTSoftware, accessories and safetyIf you cut wood or similar materials, yes. Air assist blows smoke and debris out of the cut, which leaves fewer scorch marks. Cutting takes strong airflow and engraving takes light airflow, and xTool's Smart Air Assist switches between the two by itself in auto mode. https://laserlineup.com/guides/laser-enclosure-and-exhaust/https://laserlineup.com/guides/laser-enclosure-and-exhaust/Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTSoftware, accessories and safetyWith an open-frame machine, yes, both are up to you. An enclosed machine keeps the beam in, but the smoke from burning material still needs a way out of the room. A box placed over a laser, bought or homemade, doesn't turn it into a Class 1 product, because Class 1 status comes from the manufacturer testing and certifying the whole machine. https://laserlineup.com/guides/rotary-attachment-tumblers-rings/https://laserlineup.com/guides/rotary-attachment-tumblers-rings/Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTSoftware, accessories and safetyA roller rotary handles straight tumblers. Rings, and objects whose bases aren't round, go in a chuck or a ring fixture. xTool's RA2 Pro covers all of these plus spheres, and each mode has its own diameter range. https://laserlineup.com/guides/laser-engraving-file-types/https://laserlineup.com/guides/laser-engraving-file-types/Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTSoftware, accessories and safetyIf the laser should follow a line, as when cutting out a nameplate, use a vector format such as SVG or DXF. For a photo or anything with shading, use an image format such as PNG or JPG. LightBurn imports all four. Text inside a vector file should be converted to paths before you import it. https://laserlineup.com/guides/laser-engraver-safety-setup/https://laserlineup.com/guides/laser-engraver-safety-setup/Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTSoftware, accessories and safetySome engravers sold for home use are Class 4 lasers, which can injure eyes and skin and start a fire. Before buying, the spec sheet gives you the laser class, and the manual tells you whether opening the lid stops the laser and whether that protection is on by default. Smoke and fire are covered in the maker's safety guide. https://laserlineup.com/guides/xtool-f1-vs-f1-ultra/https://laserlineup.com/guides/xtool-f1-vs-f1-ultra/Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTBrands and modelsGet the F1 Ultra if you need deeper metal engraving, want to cut thin metal sheet, or plan to run many items in one batch. The F1 still works for light marking on small tags and jewelry when portability matters most, but xTool ended its security support on December 31, 2025. https://laserlineup.com/guides/xtool-s1-vs-d1-vs-m1/https://laserlineup.com/guides/xtool-s1-vs-d1-vs-m1/Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTBrands and modelsxTool discontinued the D1 series on January 1, 2025, and announced the M1's departure from its U.S. store at the end of April 2025. Before buying any of these models, compare sales status, parts support and security support separately. As checked on October 21, 2026, xTool lists the S1 as supported until at least October 31, 2026; that is a published minimum date, not a confirmed shutdown date. https://laserlineup.com/guides/xtool-p2s-vs-p3/https://laserlineup.com/guides/xtool-p2s-vs-p3/Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTBrands and modelsStart with your largest workpiece and setup needs. The P2S has a 600 × 305 mm work area; the P3 expands that to 915 × 458 mm, adds automatic bed adjustment, and raises CO2 power from 55W to 80W. Those differences, rather than wattage alone, are the starting point for deciding whether to pay more. https://laserlineup.com/guides/omtech-co2-laser-lineup/https://laserlineup.com/guides/omtech-co2-laser-lineup/Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTBrands and modelsThe deciding factor is the size of your pieces. The K40+ is the low-cost way into CO2 if your work fits in 200 × 300 mm. The Polar series gives you a desktop machine with roughly a 510 × 300 mm bed and autofocus. Bigger sheets or higher volume put you in the Maker, Pronto, and Pro lines. The K40+ also has a notable limit: it doesn't pair easily with a rotary. https://laserlineup.com/guides/omtech-fiber-galvo-vs-mopa/https://laserlineup.com/guides/omtech-fiber-galvo-vs-mopa/Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTBrands and modelsChoose a Galvo if you mostly mark logos, text, and serial numbers on metal. Choose a MOPA if you also want color on stainless steel or deep engraving. OMTech frames them the same way: Galvo for fast, precise metal marking, MOPA as "up to 100W for color and deep engraving." Autofocus is a separate option from the laser source. It saves refocusing when you work through parts of different heights, and OMTech sells autofocus versions such as the MOPA 60W Autofocus. https://laserlineup.com/guides/creality-falcon2-40w/https://laserlineup.com/guides/creality-falcon2-40w/Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTBrands and modelsNo. The Falcon2 40W is an open-frame diode laser with a 400 × 415 mm work area, and it is an FDA Class 4 product. Something to contain the beam and a way to get smoke out of the room are separate purchases. Creality itself sells a "Protection Kit" that adds an enclosure and air purifier, priced at $1,299. https://laserlineup.com/guides/atomstack-laser-engraver-lineup/https://laserlineup.com/guides/atomstack-laser-engraver-lineup/Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTBrands and modelsAtomStack's model numbers don't form a simple ladder. The machines split into roles by laser type and size. For cutting wood at scale, look at a large diode machine like the A40 Pro V2. For personalizing small items in an enclosed machine, the P1, which AtomStack sells as an FDA Class 1 laser. For portable work that includes metal, the M4 Pro. For metal marking over a large area, the A20 Pro 1064nm fiber laser. https://laserlineup.com/guides/laserpecker-lp5-vs-lp2/https://laserlineup.com/guides/laserpecker-lp5-vs-lp2/Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTBrands and modelsIf you only engrave wood and leather, the lighter LP2 is enough. If you want to engrave metal, cut thin metal sheet, or work in LightBurn, get the LP5. The LP5 carries a 20W diode and a 20W fiber laser in one machine, while the LP2 has a single 5W diode, so the two "portable" lasers do quite different jobs. https://laserlineup.com/guides/wecreat-vista-vision-lumos/https://laserlineup.com/guides/wecreat-vista-vision-lumos/Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTBrands and modelsWeCreat's lineup falls into three groups: enclosed desktop diode machines for wood and acrylic (Vista, Vision, Vision Pro), compact dual-laser machines you can also use handheld (Lumos, Lumos Flex), and the Lumos Ultra with UV and MOPA sources. For wood and leather, pick among the Vista, Vision, and Vision Pro by power (10W, 20W, or 45W) and the size of what you make. For metal or event work, look at the Lumos models, and for UV or MOPA processing, the Lumos Ultra. https://laserlineup.com/guides/longer-vs-ortur-vs-sculpfun/https://laserlineup.com/guides/longer-vs-ortur-vs-sculpfun/Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTBrands and modelsCompare by machine type first. All three brands sell large-format machines, small enclosed ones, and dual-source models with an infrared laser side by side, so two products from the same brand can be built for completely different jobs. Settle the size of what you'll make and the laser type you need, then compare power, safety features, included accessories, and support among machines of the same type. https://laserlineup.com/guides/co2-laser-brands-compared/https://laserlineup.com/guides/co2-laser-brands-compared/Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTBrands and modelsCompare by size class, laser type, and safety class. A desktop machine like the FLUX beamo II or Boss EVO Desktop and a large machine like the Thunder Nova Plus or Boss LS series, which weigh hundreds of kilograms, differ in floor space, power supply, and price range. Brand alone doesn't even tell you the laser type: Glowforge's Aura uses a diode. https://laserlineup.com/guides/fiber-laser-brands-compared/https://laserlineup.com/guides/fiber-laser-brands-compared/Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTBrands and modelsCompare Monport, ComMarker, Gweike and Cloudray on three things before price: standard fiber or MOPA, a complete engraver or a laser-source component, and the marking field. A low component price is not the price of a ready-to-use engraving machine. The model and price examples below are a dated comparison, not live offers. https://laserlineup.com/guides/elegoo-phecda-10w-vs-20w/https://laserlineup.com/guides/elegoo-phecda-10w-vs-20w/Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTBrands and modelsThe ELEGOO PHECDA 10W and 20W share a listed 400 × 400 mm engraving area, but differ in laser power and the focal spot shown in ELEGOO's product images. Compare the exact model, package and shipping region before deciding. Twice the rated power alone does not establish twice the engraving speed or a particular cutting depth. https://laserlineup.com/guides/laser-for-jewelry-tumblers-personalized-gifts/https://laserlineup.com/guides/laser-for-jewelry-tumblers-personalized-gifts/Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTSpace, skill level and budgetChoose the laser by the surface you're marking, and choose the rotary by the object's shape and how it has to be held. In xTool's material chart, bare metal is a job for a 1064 nm infrared laser, while plated or painted metal, wood, and leather can be engraved with a blue diode. Tumblers, rings, and other round items need a rotary attachment, and the holding methods available to you depend on which machine and rotary you pair. https://laserlineup.com/3d-printers/how-to-choose-3d-printer-fdm-vs-resin/https://laserlineup.com/3d-printers/how-to-choose-3d-printer-fdm-vs-resin/Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTChoosing and running a 3D printerIf you want brackets, jigs, organizers, and other everyday parts at a reasonable size, start with FDM. If tiny figures and crisp detail matter most, resin is the better fit. FDM printers and filament cost less and the main cleanup is snapping off supports, while resin prints come out smoother but always need washing, and some resins need a post-cure too. https://laserlineup.com/3d-printers/filament-guide/https://laserlineup.com/3d-printers/filament-guide/Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTChoosing and running a 3D printerUse PLA for indoor items and prototypes, PETG for parts that will see more heat or knocks, and TPU for anything that has to bend or squash. Bambu Lab's material table doesn't recommend PLA for parts used at around 50 °C or higher, rates PETG above PLA for heat and impact resistance, and gives TPU the top impact score. Carbon- or glass-filled filaments need a printer with a hardened steel nozzle. https://laserlineup.com/3d-printers/cost-size-setup/https://laserlineup.com/3d-printers/cost-size-setup/Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTChoosing and running a 3D printerWith an FDM printer, the ongoing costs are filament (Formlabs puts most standard filament at $50–$150 per kg), spare nozzles, and some way to keep filament dry. Resin runs $100–$200 per liter and adds solvent plus washing and curing equipment. For space, measure the clearance around the machine as well as the machine itself. Flashforge asks for at least 20 cm on every side of its Adventurer 5M. https://laserlineup.com/3d-printers/beginners-kids-mini/https://laserlineup.com/3d-printers/beginners-kids-mini/Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTChoosing and running a 3D printerFor ease of use, look for a printer that arrives assembled or sets up quickly, handles bed leveling and other calibration on its own, and warns you when filament runs out. No printer removes the basic hazards: the nozzle and bed get hot and parts move. Flashforge's manual says children and untrained people shouldn't operate the printer alone, so an adult needs to be there. https://laserlineup.com/3d-printers/multicolor-3d-printing/https://laserlineup.com/3d-printers/multicolor-3d-printing/Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTChoosing and running a 3D printerGet a printer bundled with an automatic filament changer if color is part of what you're making: two-tone logos and lettering, or parts told apart by color. If most of your prints are one color, a single-color printer does the job. Every color change means pushing out and discarding the old filament (a purge), so a multicolor print uses more material and takes longer than the same model in one color. https://laserlineup.com/3d-printers/bambu-lab-guide/https://laserlineup.com/3d-printers/bambu-lab-guide/Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT3D printer brandsCompare the Bambu Lab A1 mini, A1, P1S and P2S by build size, enclosure, filament support and multicolor system. The A1 mini has a 180 mm cube build volume; the other three list a 256 mm cube. The open-frame A1 models and enclosed P-series serve different material needs. If considering an X1 Carbon instead, check its separate end-of-life and support dates below. https://laserlineup.com/3d-printers/creality-flashforge-guide/https://laserlineup.com/3d-printers/creality-flashforge-guide/Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT3D printer brandsCompare the Flashforge Adventurer 5M, Creality K1C and K2 Plus by build volume, enclosure, supported filament and multicolor requirements. The Adventurer 5M and K1C have smaller build volumes than the 350 mm cube K2 Plus, which also needs more desk space. Ender is a product family, so compare an exact model rather than treating it as one printer. https://laserlineup.com/3d-printers/brand-landscape/https://laserlineup.com/3d-printers/brand-landscape/Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT3D printer brandsThe biggest split is whether the printer arrives ready to print or you build it. ELEGOO's Centauri Carbon arrives assembled and calibrated, with a full enclosure. Prusa sells the same MK4S assembled or as a kit, and the Sovol SV08 ships 90% assembled. Voron is an open-source design with published plans and a bill of materials, and you source the parts and build it yourself. https://laserlineup.com/3d-printers/software-files-metal-printing/https://laserlineup.com/3d-printers/software-files-metal-printing/Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTChoosing and running a 3D printerYou find models on sharing sites such as MakerWorld and Printables, then run them through a slicer like OrcaSlicer to turn them into print instructions for your printer and filament. A free download doesn't automatically let you sell what you print. That depends on the license the creator chose for that model, and MakerWorld also runs a paid program where creators sell commercial licenses that let buyers sell physical prints. https://laserlineup.com/guides/laser-cutter-vs-plasma-cutter/https://laserlineup.com/guides/laser-cutter-vs-plasma-cutter/Fri, 25 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTMaterialsA plasma cutter is the cheaper tool for steel plate: a handheld inverter unit and an air compressor will sever metal up to about an inch thick, and clean-cut roughly half that. A laser cuts by melting a spot often under half a millimetre wide, so its edge is finer and it can also cut non-metals, but on a desktop budget it only gets through sheet up to about a millimetre. Handheld fiber lasers close some of the gap, at several times the price of a plasma unit.