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Balsa Wood

6 settings3 machines

This page lists 6 community-tested settings for Balsa Wood. Wood is one of the most popular laser engraving materials. Results vary by species, thickness, and grain - always run a test first.

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wood
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Top setting per machine

MachineOpSpeedPowerPasses
Sculpfun S6 Proengrave2000 mm/min30–35%1
Longer Ray5engrave2000 mm/min30–35%1
Atomstack A5 Proengrave2000 mm/min25–30%1

Works with these machines

Sculpfun S6 ProLonger Ray5Atomstack A5 Pro

6 settings

Sculpfun S6 Pro6Wdiode
engrave
Speed2000 mm/minPower30–35%Passes1DPI254
Shop Sculpfun S6 Pro →More settings for this machine →
Longer Ray55Wdiode
engrave
Speed2000 mm/minPower30–35%Passes1DPI254
Shop Longer Ray5 →More settings for this machine →
Atomstack A5 Pro10Wdiode
engrave
Speed2000 mm/minPower25–30%Passes1DPI254
Shop Atomstack A5 Pro →More settings for this machine →
Sculpfun S6 Pro6Wdiode
cut
Speed250 mm/minPower80%Passes2
★★★★★

2mm balsa cuts in 2 passes at 6W. Balsa's open cellular structure absorbs the beam efficiently — one of the few materials the S6 Pro cuts reliably. Good for model making and architectural scale models where thin precise cuts are needed.

Shop Sculpfun S6 Pro →More settings for this machine →
Longer Ray55Wdiode
cut
Speed250 mm/minPower80%Passes2
★★★★★

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.

Shop Longer Ray5 →More settings for this machine →
Atomstack A5 Pro10Wdiode
cut
Speed300 mm/minPower70%Passes2
★★★★★

2mm balsa cuts in 2 passes at 5W. Balsa is the most cuttable material for low-power diodes — the open cell structure absorbs the beam well. Use a pin bed to hold down the light balsa sheets during cutting. Great for model aircraft parts and scale prototypes.

Shop Atomstack A5 Pro →More settings for this machine →
Materials

Supplies to have on hand

Materials and accessories that pair well with Balsa Wood laser projects.

Transfer TapeMask wood before engraving to protect from scorch marks.
Painters TapeBudget masking for protecting wood grain during engraving.
Tung Oil FinishFood-safe finish that deepens laser engraving contrast.
3mm Basswood SheetsMost popular laser cutting wood - clean edges, consistent grain.
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From the Blog

→ Laser settings for wood: speed, power, and passes for every type→ Laser settings for 3mm basswood plywood: cut and engrave guide

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best laser settings for Balsa Wood?

A top-rated community setting for Balsa Wood on the Sculpfun S6 Pro is speed 2000 mm/min, power 30–35%. There are 6 community-tested settings for Balsa Wood across 3 machines on this page.

Can a diode laser work with Balsa Wood?

Yes - there are 6 community-tested diode laser settings for Balsa Wood on this page.

What Makers Say

★★★★★5.0· 6 reviews
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★★★★★

"Used it with a Glowforge — engraved beautifully with no changes. I will be purchasing more digital downloads from this shop."

— Anna

★★★★★

"I was struggling with lining up my NFC business cards. I was able to not only line them up much better but also do multiple cards at once — making that job so much easier."

— Camp

★★★★★

"Excellent quality and design. Cut clean and neat!"

— LYNN

★★★★★

"Great jigs. Appreciate the time saved not having to build this from scratch!"

— Bruce

★★★★★

"Excellent quality. Item as described. Expectations exceeded."

— Michael

★★★★★

"This template made my slate coasters so much easier. 4×4 coasters from Michaels drop in easily and are easy to remove. Def worth it."

— chris

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