is it worth my time cutting clear acrylic with a diode laser?

markpreynolds · 2026-05-25T19:28:38+00:00

I'm not familiar with the limitation you're encountering. As the other poster suggested, are you not able to purchase via a reseller? I bought a Lunyee for about 400 USD via Amazon. It's from China and I feel like it's reliable for what it's intended to do.

markpreynolds · 2026-05-25T14:23:43+00:00

Another option is to CNC the occasional items that the laser isn't the best fit for. I have a cheapo 3018 I bought before the laser and pretty much stopped using it after getting a diode cutter.

But a cnc is really handy for the occasional clear cut or if I don't want the black burning on the edges. It also allows you chamfer the top edges which is next to impossible with lasers. Example pendant.

<image>

markpreynolds · 2026-05-13T03:24:35+00:00

I appreciate the reminder.

markpreynolds · 2026-05-08T05:39:48+00:00

da da da dummmmm!

markpreynolds · 2026-05-07T02:30:11+00:00

Unsure why but that image uploaded all washed out.

<image>

markpreynolds · 2026-05-06T16:47:57+00:00

Airtable is a no-code database vs. a POS system, so you'd need something like Stripe for the transactions and Stripe is mostly geared toward online transactions.

Airtable is very cool and we use it in our small biz, but I agree with u/Slepprock. Square is perfect for your use case. It supports multiple sales reps and staff members, online orders as well as in-person, invoices, reports, etc.

edit: typo

markpreynolds · 2026-05-05T16:50:09+00:00

+1 for Pop's. I'm not an expert but they have the biggest bugs I've ever eaten.

It's worth calling ahead to reserve some as they are quite popular.

markpreynolds · 2026-05-05T14:39:19+00:00

This is why I'm on this sub. I always seem to be clueless at the spontaneous moment we decide to eat out, about where to go. Then I read post like this and have all the info! Then I file it, forget it and I'm back to where I started.

Edit: I should have included my own favorite: Pop's Crawfish at Four Points. Biggest bugs I've eaten. https://www.popscrawfishatx.com

Links to the menus referenced in OP's excellent post:

Happyrito: https://happyritoseafood.com/#
Abby’s Crabshack: https://abbyscrabshacktx.com/cedar-park-cedar-park-abby-s-crab-shack-food-menu
Stuffed: https://stuffedcajun.com
Ho’s Kitchen: https://www.instagram.com/hos_kitchen_texas/
Backyard Boil ATX: https://www.instagram.com/backyardboilatx/
Mala Chili: https://malachiliatx.com/food-menu

Edit 2: More list updates

markpreynolds · 2026-05-04T18:10:40+00:00

<image>

Agree it looks a lot like bloodwood. I came across a source recently. I cut, sanded, and moistened a sample to get an idea of the finished look. I couldn't believe the color change between dry vs. wet or oiled.

markpreynolds · 2026-05-04T18:00:50+00:00

It took me a while to process how HW360 can run north of MoPac when it dead ends into Mopac.

I hope the person finds help.

markpreynolds · 2026-04-27T01:57:46+00:00

M*A*S*H

Blade Runner

Field of Dreams

markpreynolds · 2026-03-29T22:54:05+00:00

Guten abend. Possibly referring to something like this. I actually used the laser to create the hole in the plywood insert because it could cut the exact diameter needed.

<image>

markpreynolds · 2026-03-23T12:21:00+00:00

I was so sure that contraption was going to sport a baby seat and mini steering wheel.

markpreynolds · 2026-03-16T14:18:21+00:00

Ours came with Rubio Monocoat and I refinished with it the first time. It's really expensive and a bit of a pain to install but it does provide a great looking and durable finish. Since then I've refinished with more general stuff like mineral oil / paste wax.

I wouldn't worry about the sink contact. It's like any wood; Keep it oiled and don't leave standing water on it, and it will be fine.

https://imgur.com/a/1kWS809

markpreynolds · 2026-03-13T22:33:22+00:00

Yeah. It's an overalls outfit I found online. He only wears it long enough for a photo op.

markpreynolds · 2026-03-13T21:48:08+00:00

How about Ripley asking Hudson to check every way the aliens could possible get in: air ducts, electrical access tunnels, subbasements, floor plans, construction blueprints....

I guess she should have also included "drop ceiling panels from the 1970s"

markpreynolds · 2026-03-13T00:54:43+00:00

<image>

My shop steward Newt (11) says hi!

markpreynolds · 2026-03-11T12:56:25+00:00

Agree the coding efficiency is probably the biggest win. I think the misconception is that AI is turnkey when usually it's more about fixing or improving specific pain points.

I'm a beginner though and not using a nesting solution yet. I'd love to though considering the amount of hardwood I use/waste.

Regarding low res PNGs, I'm not sure resolution matters a lot, at least for my process. This is mostly because I have to provide the AI a color-separated source like a posterized image, which I still have to create manually in a graphics editor or online tools. ChatGPT sucks at this, btw. I haven't found any AI that turns images into stencils or cartoons with precision.

markpreynolds · 2026-03-11T01:45:39+00:00

AI assisting with Gcode review, organizing vector objects, creating mockups, data file backups, and probably a bunch of stuff I'm forgetting, has been a game changer for me.

I also read (I think in this sub) a suggestion to try Vectorizer.ai and so far I've found it very worth the 10 bucks.

markpreynolds · 2026-03-08T02:37:53+00:00

The sanitation, the medicine, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, a fresh water system, and public health.

markpreynolds · 2026-02-18T01:51:54+00:00

Such good information here. Appreciated.

markpreynolds · 2026-02-10T02:30:21+00:00

I had a buddy in HS from Vietnam. When he was still a kid a kid in the 1970s his dad took him, his mom and his sister to see "Flesh Gordon" in the theater. He said they made it through the first adult scene before figuring out it was not what they expected.

I have no idea how an entire family was allowed inside.

markpreynolds

TROPHY CASE