Lasers

How would you stop burning or blackening the edges of the wood or control the depth of the cut for inlay work? Everyone I have asked has not been able to give me an answer that would make me want to buy one.
 
Mr. Wilson said:
Jim, if I understand correctly, this laser could do that and a lot more.
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Not good for inlays. We checked it out on a local machining show.
First, the laser is reflected. It actually does not come down on the piece at twelve o/clock. So the pockets have angles.
Then the depth of the pockets are hard to control b/c cues are cones.
Then it burns wood and darkens the edges.
 
Mr. Wilson said:
CNC has a pretty good detail, but how about this:

http://versalaser.com/english/laser_applications/laser_apps.html

has anyone seen or considered this?
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I've looked into this in the past but decided against it because in cue making there is so many variables in construction. Lasers are very cost efficient especially when they are used to in making numerous parts in the same medium.They can run up to 4 and 500 inches per min. In cues you are using many different materials so that the speed or the power would have to be changed to many times in cutting pockets and parts as often a single pocket is cut through various woods and metal rings. They would come in very handy for engraving names or signatures or logos for engrave and fill techniques but for a small cuemaker to tie up this amount of money for such a specialized operation is not cost effective.

Dick
 
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