masking tape

[graham jimmison]

recently been trying to cut laser ply and have been told to put masking tape on first so as to avoid scoring the edge of the ply - but it keeps catching fire!!!! - does it need to be special masking tape - tried increasing speed but it doesn't cut through then any suggestions please?

[Daven]

Copied from another post :-

Found the supplier it's called application tape and not on ebay - have a look here

It's a lot thinner and so far I have not had it catch fire.

Dave

[PhillyDee]

I quite like the smoked effect on the edges, as do mostpeople who have seen my stuff!

I can see why it would sometimes be undesireable though!

[Spooky]

Hiya Graham,

To be honest the only really reliable way to get rid of it easily is more air through the air assist. It means a bigger compressor, Novalase has a bigger version of the std air pump he is working with and may be able to offer a better opinion on it (his name is Simon)

A pic of it can be found here http://oplaser.co.uk/opsupport/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=3

best wishes

Dave

[Pedro_Hernandez]

I found the marks left are purely down to the burnt vapour being blown across the wood surface by the air assist.

I would guess a more powerfull compressor would blow the smoke through the cutline and bed below, equaly if you could rig up an extracted honecombe that may also work.

I used to sand my laser ply smooth and use application tape so the final peice was in a finished state straight from the laser, however I've now switched putting the ply in as is then sanding it smooth after cutting.

Ok its more convenient to sand an A4 peice of ply than 10 cut outs, but to be honest it saves on the cost of tape especialey if you applied it to both sides like I used do. AlsoI dont miss that unpleasant vapourised tape smell !.

Just a thought has anyone played with this stuff ?
http://www.laserbits.com/index.php?main ... =LIQUAMASK

Regards

P.