Engraver Buying Guide: Laser

: He measured his largest cutting boards to ensure they would fit. Some machines have a passthrough slot for extra-long materials.

Meet Elias, a woodworker whose shop was once defined by the rhythmic hum of a hand-plane and the scent of cedar. One Tuesday, a regular client asked if he could engrave a handwritten recipe onto a cutting board for her mother’s 80th birthday. Elias knew his hand-chisels weren't fast enough for that kind of detail. laser engraver buying guide

: He found that "camera machines" (like those from xTool ) allow you to place your design exactly where you want it on a piece of scrap wood using software. : He measured his largest cutting boards to