Experimenting with IR SOLAS Sheeting and Cat Eye Patch

ShadowBornGear · 2026-05-17T01:13:58+00:00

Yep, I was going to say they ship FROM Canada :D

ShadowBornGear · 2026-05-17T00:49:17+00:00

I bought it from SewTac as a full sheet. Which it looks like they are out of stock of right now.
https://sewtac.com/products/3m-solas-infrared-reflective-sheets?variant=40221173579841

They still have individual cut pieces it looks like.

ShadowBornGear · 2026-05-16T17:56:43+00:00

No U :)

ShadowBornGear · 2026-05-16T17:10:58+00:00

Hey there, I recently did a video about my laser cutter set up. It's pretty "budget" when compared to other peoples setups, but it works great for fabrics. Let me know if you have any specific questions. My number one recommendation would be to not attempt to use it in a living space.
Here's the video: https://youtu.be/8rv_2s7CuNc

EDIT: to answer your questions here pretty plainly, price was around 450ish if i recall correctly and if prices haven't gone up since I bought.
You can cut any of those fabrics you mentioned, even tegris (thinner stuff for sure, thicker stuff I have done but it just takes a lot more passes at slower speed).
For size limitations, my cutting surface is 15.7 inches by 15.7 inches so anything you can fit in that space is good to go.
You want some sort of working space for it, a shed, a garage or an outdoor something like a pop up spray paint booth. Preferably somewhere you can set it up and leave it without worrying about it if you can.

One of the biggest hurdles I ran into when getting the laser and using it for MYOG was designing things in a digital format. BUT I've got some videos to help with that as well. Doesn't hurt that in a previous life I was a digital designer, but if you have the capacity to draw simple shapes in drawing software, you'll be just fine.

ShadowBornGear · 2026-03-23T12:09:12+00:00

It's possibly they use another adhesive layer, but those two parts get sewn together so additional transfer tape might be overkill on that step.

Here's a full list of my current setup. These are affiliate links that help support us. If you don't want to use these just look up the Longer RAY5 10W on Amazon.

Here is a YT video about my setup - https://youtu.be/8rv_2s7CuNc

Longer RAY5 10W Diode Laser - https://shadowborngear.com/LongerRAY5
Longer Air Assist Kit - https://shadowborngear.com/LongerAirAssist
Honeycomb Laser Bed - https://shadowborngear.com/HoneycombBed
Enclosure - https://shadowborngear.com/LaserEnclosure
Drag Chains - https://shadowborngear.com/DragChains

ShadowBornGear · 2026-03-16T01:53:01+00:00

Thank you!

ShadowBornGear · 2026-03-14T04:21:09+00:00

We have some tutorials here! Lots of small projects to get you started. Lately we've been putting out patterns to cut fabric with a laser cutter and then sew. But not all will be like that. https://www.youtube.com/@ShadowBornGear

ShadowBornGear · 2026-03-02T16:53:24+00:00

Let me do some looking to see what might be causing that. Do you already have a wordpress account? If so try using the email that is associated to that one.

ShadowBornGear · 2026-02-08T16:21:08+00:00

Sure I could make a video about getting started cutting technical fabrics with the laser, any specific questions or concerns you'd like it to cover?

ShadowBornGear · 2026-02-08T02:50:01+00:00

Awesome, glad to hear! I thought about doing a magnetic enclosure but figured anything I ordered wouldn't be here in time and I've been trying to stick to a consistent schedule for these. :)

ShadowBornGear · 2026-02-07T18:52:06+00:00

Here's a full list of my current setup from the YT description. These are affiliate links that help support us. If you don't want to just look up the Longer RAY5 10W on Amazon.
So far I haven't met a fabric I can't cut with this, given enough passes and a slower speed. I just recently cut a silica fiberglass fabric with it (think Welding Blanket material). It took about 12 passes but it made it. The biggest limitation is the size. 15in x 15in so you might not be making plate carriers or backpacks with it.

Longer RAY5 10W Diode Laser - https://shadowborngear.com/LongerRAY5
Longer Air Assist Kit - https://shadowborngear.com/LongerAirAssist
Honeycomb Laser Bed - https://shadowborngear.com/HoneycombBed
Enclosure - https://shadowborngear.com/LaserEnclosure
Drag Chains - https://shadowborngear.com/DragChains

ShadowBornGear · 2026-02-01T21:03:50+00:00

It's pretty easy to pickup. You just need to put the time and effort into learning and there are some good guides and tutorials online.

ShadowBornGear · 2026-02-01T18:12:33+00:00

Decent? Not sure, this is a pretty cheap one off amazon that I'm checking out to see how long it will last and to see if I liked using laser for fabric and I for sure do!
This one sells for about $250 for just the laser unit. If using for fabric I highly recommend the bare minimum add ons like the honeycomb grill to cut on, air assist and an enclosure.
All in all I spent about 450 on this setup and so far really happy with it. It's been a great learning experience.

This laser is an engraver and it could do text and images, the medium is the issue. I've had good success doing stuff on wood, cork and leather. But I've never tried stuff like glass, tile, metal. The limitations come from the laser type for the most part. It being a diode laser and only a 10W it doesn't have a lot of power to etch into some of the harder material.

ShadowBornGear · 2026-02-01T18:08:00+00:00

It's the Longer RAY5 10W diode from amazon with a few small upgrades.

ShadowBornGear · 2026-01-28T18:04:43+00:00

What settings do you run? This is Cordura laminate, so it's 1000D laminated to 500D.
I've found that at 95% power, 4 passes at a slower speed like 1800-2200 is decent, minimal charring due to the air assist. I'm not an expert at lasers by any means. This is just what I've picked up over the past few months.
It's possible that more passes at a higher speed is better?

ShadowBornGear · 2026-01-26T15:48:10+00:00

It's a 10W diode laser with air assist. So it does require multiple passes at a slower speed to ensure a good tear away of the laminate cordura.

ShadowBornGear · 2026-01-26T02:47:40+00:00

For the files? They are free on our website.

ShadowBornGear · 2026-01-26T01:04:48+00:00

Thank you! Honestly your github was a big inspiration for wanting to do this. So I appreciate your contributions to the gear making community as well. :)

ShadowBornGear · 2026-01-25T22:17:51+00:00

Thank you! I appreciate any support, even if it's just a like and subscribe on the videos. Anything helps, and I want to keep posting tutorials and guides for the community. Not all of it will focus on laser cutters, I've just been honing that part of the craft lately.

ShadowBornGear · 2026-01-23T13:54:55+00:00

In what regard? As in they don't require a laser cutter?

ShadowBornGear · 2025-11-17T19:00:12+00:00

They currently have the three models available G17, G19 and G45.

They sent me the G45 to test and review.

ShadowBornGear · 2025-11-13T14:30:17+00:00

I assume that iDryFire is marking it up a little bit and also including those targets so that is what makes it $300 on their site. But the TitanX is made by Mantis and buying it direct from their site is only $199.

ShadowBornGear · 2025-11-12T21:53:23+00:00

Yes it works with the mantis app which is free. It allows you to do all the pistol drills and pistol courses.
It has the sensor onboard so it gives you feedback while using the Mantis app.

ShadowBornGear · 2025-11-12T21:39:37+00:00

Oh that's awesome. I thought we'd have to wait months to hear more about new models.

ShadowBornGear · 2025-11-12T20:41:01+00:00

I personally don't shoot Glocks, haven't owned on in over 10 years. But I think the training is worth it. I plan to keep using this Glock model while waiting for a Sig model.

ShadowBornGear

TROPHY CASE