trick to hold down thin material

[Tim Bateson]

Here is my setup for the tacky mat. Ignore the blue tape - it's from another project I was working. I've used this side of the mat for probably a year. It's double sided and the other side is still like new. This holds my IP or RowMark flat especially since my honecomb is warn out and sags.
IMG_6377.jpgIMG_6378.jpgIMG_6379.jpg

[Ted Owen]

Tim, what's your source for the tacky mat? Is it the JDS MAT1?

Best, Ted

[George Carlson]

I'm not in this as a business, just tinkering. I've been playing around doing veneer inlays to assist with my woodworking obsession. I found that if I put a very light spray of 3M Super 77 spray glue on a scrap of birch plywood, it makes a great tacky surface for fine cutting of thin veneers. The important this is to let the glue dry for at least a few hours before you use it. Otherwise, the veneer will become permantly attached to the plywood.
I have a new controller in my Chinese laser that will allow PPI (pulse per inch) operation. The machine is a Redsail 60W M900. With the glass tube lasers it can be difficult to bring the power down below 20% because the tube become unstable. Using the PPI function lowers the average power output , making it posible to raise the peak power setting. On my machine, 200PPI at 30% acts more like a 10% setting. It produces a very fine kerf. This may work on LaserCut machines by using the hole mode and setting the spacing at .13mm.
This is a test piece of Birch plywood with Walnut veneer inlay I did for a friend.
tiny inlay.jpg

[Tim Bateson]

Tim, what's your source for the tacky mat? Is it the JDS MAT1?
Best, Ted

Yes that's the one I use. Best $99 I've spent.

[Ted Owen]

Thanks, guys.

Best, Ted