Best wood for laser engraving

[KB8JXO]

I have been invited to set up at a craft show in Feb. sponsored by a local animal rescue association. I want to turn a few Euro/Designer pens and engrave different dog heads on them to play to the buyers. What wood have others found to be good for engraving?

 

[DavidD]

I have been invited to set up at a craft show in Feb. sponsored by a local animal rescue association. I want to turn a few Euro/Designer pens and engrave different dog heads on them to play to the buyers. What wood have others found to be good for engraving?

I enjoy engraving just about every wood I use, except the following:

Wenge
Palm
Oak
Bocote (because the grain distracts from engraving)
Olive (because the grain distracts from engraving)

Good luck!

 

[fisherhahn]

I like to use a plain light maple. Usually just cut blanks from a cheap 1x2 from Lowe's. Here are two did for our vet and our dog breeder.

 

[Beautys_Beast]

Redheart engraves really well, as does Cherry, and Brazilian Cherry. Woods I stay away from are Wenge, and Cocobolo. To dark, and to hard.

Have you thought of using acrylic? You can have it entirely polished, and engrave it. Then use a little rub and buff, to highlight the name. Unlike wood, which you have to put the CA glue finish on afterwards.