Longer Ray5 Settings & Speeds

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Engrave from the BACK side for a clean mirrored result.

Cast acrylic cuts cleaner than extruded.

3 passes at 5W. Dense for this wattage — pin flat.

Glass engraving on 5W diode — use wet paper towel method for best results.

5W diode engraves leather at moderate power. Good results on veg-tan.

5W diode surface mark only; hardwood may char at edges

5W diode surface mark only; hardwood may char at edges

Dark or black paper cuts cleanly — the dark colour absorbs the diode beam much better than light or white paper. For white paper use higher power (70%) and slower speed. Shadow box paper crafts in dark paper are an excellent application for the Ray5.

2mm balsa cuts in 2 passes at 5W. Balsa's open cell structure absorbs the beam efficiently making it one of the few materials that cuts reliably at 5W. Use a pin bed to prevent balsa from lifting. Good for model making and architectural scale models.

Cork engraves cleanly at 40%. The Ray5 is well-suited to cork — low power is an advantage to prevent over-burning. Great for coasters and trivets. The Ray5 produces results on cork that are indistinguishable from more expensive machines.

Removes anodising to reveal bare aluminium. At 5W results are good but slower than a higher-power machine. No coating needed on anodised aluminium. Dog tags and small anodised pieces work well. For tumblers the Ray5 is too slow for production use but fine for occasional personal projects.

Kraft paper cuts cleanly at moderate speed. Low power prevents edge discolouration. Great for gift tags, labels, and paper decorations. The Ray5 handles paper very well — it's a good entry point for paper craft makers who want clean, precise cuts.

Single-wall cardboard cuts in one pass at 5W. Keep power high and speed moderate. Good for stencils, templates, and paper crafts. Corrugated cardboard may need a second pass. Never leave the Ray5 unattended when cutting cardboard — it's more flammable than wood.

Slate engraves white at these settings. Invert your image before sending. Even 5W produces good results on slate — the material is very receptive to CO2 and diode wavelengths. Wipe clean with a damp cloth after to see full contrast. One of the easiest materials for a beginner machine.

Leather engraves beautifully at 55% — one of the Ray5's best use cases. Vegetable-tanned leather gives rich contrast. Even 5W handles leather engraving well because the material absorbs the diode wavelength efficiently. Keep power below 70% to avoid cutting through thin leather.

6 passes at full power and 5W still struggles with 3mm basswood — results are inconsistent with heavy charring. The Ray5 is not a cutting machine. Use it for engraving only, or limit cutting to thin materials like 2mm balsa. A more powerful machine is needed for reliable wood cutting.

Engraving is where the Ray5 shines — 5W is more than adequate for wood surface marking. 65% at 2500mm/min gives a warm brown mark. For lighter marks drop to 50%. At this price point it's an excellent first laser for engraving keyrings, coasters, and personalised gifts.

Cork cuts in 2 passes at 5W. Clean edge.

Cork is easy for a 5W. Good results for coasters and pot stands.

Cardboard cuts well at 5W. Good for paper craft and templates.

What materials can the Longer Ray5 engrave or cut?

The Longer Ray5 has community-tested settings for 3mm Mirrored Acrylic, 3mm Clear Acrylic (Cast), 3mm Maple Plywood, Glass, Genuine Leather (Veg-Tan, ~3mm), Cardstock, Dark Paper, Balsa Wood, and 19 more. Results vary by material batch, focus, and ambient conditions — always test on scrap first.

Is the Longer Ray5 compatible with LightBurn?

The Longer Ray5 uses LightBurn,LaserGRBL. LightBurn compatibility may be possible via a community-built device profile.

What settings should I use to cut Genuine Leather on the Longer Ray5?

A community-tested starting point is speed 600 mm/min, power 80–85% in 2 passes. Enable air assist for a cleaner edge. Always run a test cut on scrap to confirm before committing to your project.

Can the Longer Ray5 engrave metal?

Diode lasers can mark anodized aluminium, coated metals, and powder-coated surfaces without any spray. For bare steel, brass, or copper you need a marking compound like Cermark or Dry Moly. Fiber lasers mark bare metal directly without any coating.