Laser Resources – San Diego Fine Woodworkers

A woodworking community of learning and craftsmanship.

Laser Content – Join the Discussion

Equipment – photos, specs, status, maintenance log

Laser Tool Group

Laser Parts and Materials

Our favorite material is 3 & 6 mm Baltic Birch.

Software Downloads

Digital Tools

YouTube Training Links

LightBurn Tutorials

RDWorks Learning Lab

A laser cutter is an amazing tool for cutting and etching wood. SDFWA has two large lasers for its Shop and with just a little training you can add it to your list of woodworking tools. Two bed sizes, two power levels and a rotary attachment for etching on cylindrical objects. With these tools you can precisely cut wood up to 3/4″ and etch any wood surface. The “Intro to Laser Cutting” class will teach you how to cut and etch materials using LightBurn software. The “Intro to LightBurn” class builds on the Intro to Laser class and more deeply explores the functionality and capabilities of LightBurn. Both “Intro to Laser Cutting” and “Intro to LightBurn” are available to both members and non-members of SDFWA.

In this single class you'll learn the process of going from design-to-cut. Better still, you'll practice the procedure several times and even produce your own first project. This single class is enough to certify Shop members to use the laser. Students should be proficient with computers and it's helpful to be familiar with a graphics program such as Inkscape, Corel, Adobe Illustrator, Fusion 360 or Sketchup. The class is four hours long and requires a minimum of three students. Classes which don't reach the minimum will be cancelled so why chance it? Bring a friend!

Craftsman Referral Terms

BACKGROUND
The San Diego Fine Woodworkers Association (SDFWA) is a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to the education, promotion, and execution of the principles of fine woodworking.
The SDFWA frequently receives requests from people seeking the service of a woodworker. Therefore, although custom woodworking for hire is not the purpose of our organization, we offer this referral service to the public so that they might connect with a woodworker.

SCOPE
SDFWA does not screen or warrant the skills or work of any craftsman. The public should use their own discretion and due diligence before hiring any craftsman, from any source, including this one.
The sole role of SDFWA in this referral service is limited to providing our member woodworkers with your completed form. It is up to each craftsman to initiate a contact with the requester.

PROCEDURE
After a requester submits a project, the form will be emailed to our list of participating craftsmen. If a craftsman is interested in the project, they will contact the client directly, and a two-way conversation can begin.

As the craftsmen themselves choose which projects to respond to, this means that it is probable that some project requests will receive no response. If you do not receive a response in a reasonable time, please submit your request again, using the provided referral form.
Note that contacting SDFWA directly will not achieve the desired results.

DISCLAIMER
By agreeing to these Terms, and by continuing to submit this Referral Form, and by utilizing one or more of the services of any of these craftsmen, you are agreeing to contract exclusively with that individual craftsman and to defend, indemnify and hold harmless the SDFWA Organization, its officers, officials, employees and volunteers from any and all claims, injuries, damages, losses or suits including attorney fees, arising out of or in connection with the performance of this agreement, and any and all failures, damages, or otherwise negative outcomes caused directly or indirectly by the craftsmen you employ to do any project initiated by this Form. This does not preclude you from pursuing legal remedies from the individual craftsman that you employ. But any remedy you pursue is restricted to that individual craftsman, and does not include the SDFWA organization or any of its volunteer members.