The bundle I purchased did not come with the honeycomb mat. Any recommendations on what I can use in place of it until I can purchase one and how thick does it need to be so I do not cut into through the bottom tray.
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Hello, Tammy, maybe you can try one of these:
Best Alternatives to Honeycomb Mat:
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Cookie Cooling Rack: An inexpensive metal wire rack is widely recommended for elevating materials, providing excellent airflow, and minimizing surface contact.
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Metal Baking Sheet/Cookie Sheet: A standard metal cookie sheet, perhaps used with magnets, offers a flat, non-flammable surface for cutting, often combined with cooling racks to elevate the material.
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Ceramic Tile: A simple, heat-resistant ceramic tile is a great, cheap option, particularly for engraving.
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Aluminum Air Filter: A reusable aluminum mesh air cleaner filter can be cut to size to act as a DIY mesh bed.
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Plaster Lath + Baking Sheet: Cut pieces of plaster lath to fit inside a jelly roll pan, as shown in this YouTube video, for a sturdy, DIY honeycomb-style base.
Key Considerations:
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Avoid Wood/Flammables:
Ensure the surface is non-flammable, as the laser can burn through thin, flammable materials. -
Reflections: When using metal, be aware of the potential for the laser to reflect, although for most diode lasers like the iEngrave, this is less dangerous than with CO2 lasers.
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Magnets: Using metal alternatives allows the use of strong magnets to keep your material flat and in place
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Sorry, I forgot to add the link to the plaster lath + baking sheet video. I edited my reply above and added the link.
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