Looking for recommendations and advice

So, I'm new to lasers and I want to make a good choice when shelling out money, so I figured I'd go to the people who know what they are doing. I am looking for a out of box option, not a diy project.

Here is what I'm looking at doing, if you can make a recommendation I would really appreciate it. (Please, remember I'm new and if you use jargon I may just stare like a deer in headlights).


So. What I am looking to do is have a blue laser that I plan on beaming through clear glass to cut through plastic, something like a slimline DVD case or fishing wire consistency. The glass part cannot be removed and I know that reflection may be an issue. Range would be at approx one foot.

So, what would be a good laser for this? What would be the appropriate eyewear to be safe? Is there a good package deal out there? What have I not considered?


I truly appreciate any and all feedback, thanks in advance

Tell us more about your project. A lot of people get stuck on lasers whrn in reality something else would work better.

Gloomy said:

through clear glass to cut through plastic, something like a slimline DVD case or fishing wire consistency. The glass part cannot be removed and I know that reflection may be an issue. Range would be at approx one foot.

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Sorry, but we're not going to help you cheat a prize machine.

Speedy78 said:

Tell us more about your project. A lot of people get stuck on lasers whrn in reality something else would work better.

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The project is for a Rube Goldberg competition my college is doing, we need a way to cut 52 weights so they play a song when they fall. The glass will be plate glass 1/2" thick that the mounted laser will roll down alongside to keep it straight but still be able to cut. The current plan is to use fishing wire to hold the 2oz weights.

I dont think you will be able to cut fishing line that quickly. Something like that you would need to hold on the heat longer than a quick swipe.

Well, I can have the mounting stop at certain points for a few seconds to burn through it, before moving on to the next part. What laser would you recommend?

I'd recommend switching to black string if that's what you're trying to do, a laser will cut it almost instantly as it rolls past. Cutting fishing line will be very difficult and take quite a while.

When you say a long time, how long would you say? Black string might work, I could certainly look into it.

For fishing line I woyld say a few seconds with a 3 watt laser. Black thread for a sewing machine may be a better choice. Depending on the speed it may be able to cut it with a slow pass. Why does it have to pass through glass?