The Ortur Laser Master 2 is one of the most affordable laser cutters on the market, and it has quickly become the most popular DIY enthusiast laser kits for aspiring creators all over the world. You don’t get a lot of extra options to help you improve your cutting, so you’ll have to perform a lot of trial and error. However, the Ortur Laser Master 2 heralds in a new age of accessible laser cutting with its cheap cost and huge work surface, and when you’ve found the correct settings for you, it’s incredibly effective.
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Features: Ortur Laser Master 2
- Price: $220-390
- Laser speed: up to over 3000mm/s
- Weight: 3.5kg / 7.7lbs
- Materials: woods, card, leather, acrylic, glass, and more.
- Software: LaserGRBL or LightBurn
- Type: Laser cutter DIY kit
- Company based: China
- Laser cutter manufacturer: Ortur
- Laser type: cutter and engraver
- Connectivity: via USB (and to Mac via USB C adapter)
- File types compatible: BMP, JPG, PNG, DXF, NC, and more
- Laser quality: around 300px/inch / 0.81um
Assembling the Ortur Laser Master 2
The Ortur Laser Master 2 is available in three different power levels: 7W, 15W, and 20W. This evaluation, we feel, covers everything because it not only discusses the power needed for certain tasks, but also the general set-up, connectivity, software, and tips and tricks. First and foremost, the Ortur Laser Master 2 is compact and lightweight, weighing less than 4kg in total. Assembly should take no more than 45 minutes, even for laser cutting novices. If you’re handy, you should be able to put the Ortur Laser Master 2 together in around 20 minutes.
It arrives mostly built, with the exception of the pieces which would make the cricut maker far too large to transport economically. Simply put each side of a frames together to make the robust square foundation, then screw on the tripod and the Ortur interface, tighten and fasten the belt on each side, screw on the X motor and laser unit, and connect the cables to each point. Even if you have trouble following the directions, there are a number of different manuals available that will walk you through creating the Ortur Laser Master 2 in greater detail.
Nothing is very tough, and the only little annoyance was having to detach one side of the belt and replace it after it had moved slightly during a subsequent construction process. It took or less minutes to redo this, and the Ortur Laser Master 2 is very easy to put together. The matrix on the block additionally makes aligning your designs much easy. This is especially important if you’re working with smaller units of materials, like the 90mm-tall pine slab we used, because even little mistakes in material positioning might destroy your substance if your pattern overflows over the edge.
Setup and Software: LightBurn or LaserGRBL
Ortur suggests LaserGRBL for free laser cutting software. An in-depth tutorial to setting up the Laser Master 2 with LaserGRBL is included in the instructions. Nevertheless, LaserGRBL is only compatible with Windows, so if you’re using a Mac or Linux, you’ll need to utilize LightBurn instead. LightBurn is a professional laser cutting program that is only available for a 30-day trial. It’s simpler to use and cut with, and it has more capabilities, but it costs $40 for a license that lasts longer than 30 days. For $40, you receive a revocable license for up to two PCs, as well as a year of free upgrades.
LightBurn is the greatest option for Mac or Linux users, but its ease of use and easy to use make it a good choice for Windows users as well. Ortur also includes thorough directions for using LightBurn to set up the Laser Master 2 for laser cutting. For our Ortur Laser Master 2 evaluation, we used LightBurn.
Safety Conditions
Because the Ortur Laser Master 2 is an open air laser cutter and does not come with any form of enclosure or cover, you are regularly exposed also to the laser’s light and power, as well as the fumes, without any filtering. The Ortur Laser Master 2 includes with safety glasses which must be maintained at all times to avoid eye harm from the laser or debris. It’s still recommended to leave the area when cutting or imprinting materials, and keep the operating equipment away from whatever coworkers, friends, or family members.
Testing Cutting & Engraving: Ortur Laser Master 2
We started lightly with our initial try, evaluating the findings with a 50 percent laser power and a single laser pass. We experimented etching our brand on plywood that had been impacted by the glue between thin wood layers. The end result was a washed-out engraving with no depth — the only effects were surface degradation and no material was cut through to generate depth. We tried again, this time increasing the laser strength to 75% and doing only one laser pass. The end product was considerably superior, with a grimmer engraving that stood out more against the plywood.
However, the finer details, such as the slogan beneath the logo and the tiny details of the drill picture to the right, were less precise, but there were a few sections of the characters where the carving was not completely solid. This resulted in a far superior end product, especially in the most detailed regions, where everything stood out and contrasted considerably better with the remainder of the fabric. Even the ornate characters beneath and the drill picture were crisp and readable since the etching was etched deeper into the plywood. We then attempted to engrave the logo of TheCNCMachine, our 3D printing website.
The edges were sharp, the clearly visible sides of the square were noticeably various hues depending on the beam of light, and the darker areas were deeply carved in to produce a darker engraving. Two passes at 90 percent laser power were utilized, and noted that increasing the power to 90 percent resulted in a significantly deeper cut into the wood and a much more contrasted finish. We feel the shorter catchphrase would have been significantly clearer with greater laser tuning, and further tests revealed it to be full of great sharpness.
In the assessment of the Ortur Laser Master 2, we increased the stakes and complexity by having it engrave a black-and-white photograph of Audrey Hepburn. We utilized a laser with an output of 80%, a speed of 100mm/s, and two passes. Audrey Hepburn is readily recognized in the resultant engraving. When you consider that the complete picture was just 80 x 50 mm, and that minute details like the brows, eyes, and lips were crisp and clear, the Ortur Laser Master 2 is unquestionably a precise laser cutter for the price.
Pros:
- Great bargain cutter and engraver: it’s accurate, powerful, and adaptable for little over $220 (less than $200 for the 7W version).
- Large work space: With the exception of the biggest CNC tasks, the 400 × 430 mm work surface is more than ample. Check out our 488 CNC router rating if you need something bigger.
- Simple to put together: even novices can do it in less than an hour, and also most people can do it in about 30 minutes.
- Constructed safety features: the Ortur Laser Master 2 includes a built-in sensor that detects when the equipment is knocked or pushed and shuts it off immediately. It will immediately terminate if you detach it.
Cons:
- Needs experimentation: in order to discover the ideal settings for your selected material, you’ll have to test with light speeds, numerous cycles, and laser energy rate. There are no material defaults, and you’ll need a gridded disposable block to assist you position materials accurately for accurate cuts and engravings.
- Unenclosed work area: a lack of purification or containment might provide a health and safety risk. This laser cutter, according to Ortur, is not recommended for children under the age of 14.
There is no free software available for Mac and Linux users.