Should You Buy a CNC or a Laser?

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Incredible! This turned out even better than I could have imagined. Thank you for making my silly dream a reality

LOVED the tag on the end of the video replicating the PBS "thank you". That is a nice nod to the New Yankee Workshop and This Old House.

Quick tip. For the template at the end, use wax OR Vaseline to cover the template back and edges this prevents the glue from sticking to it. Personally Vaseline is my favorite you can warm it a little and it becomes liquid and just paint it on. Super simple and glue never sticks to it. I also use it in some cases for painting to prevent paint from sticking.

The only criticism I have for CNC machines is that they don't go "pew pew". This sign made my day. I can't stop smiling. Great work ILTMS!

I love Brian’s work. So awesome to see the collab. I want one of these signs for my shop!

Love the sign, and thanks for that closing, it really brought me back to sitting with my dad and watching new Yankee workshop

After researching for quite a while I just pulled the trigger and bought a laser cutter for my workshop instead off a cnc. Main reason for picking the laser over the cnc was the dust a cnc would create. Other factors where the ease of use (No different tools and less cam) and hopefully that it would be easier to learn by multiple of my collegues

The New Yankee Workshop was one of my favorite shows to watch when I was younger and I've always seen your channel as a modernized version of it which is why I love watching it so much. Brian Kesinger's art and this episode were especially a treat for me. Definitely takes me back. Great job!

CNC is a large format planer as well. Further CNC tricks can start to replace bandsaws, jointers, and scroll saws at the expense of time and hot glue. I make cutting boards larger than 12" wide ..it is painful to think of life without a CNC to flatten them and make the juice grove. I own a laser and use that for thin high detail projects, but very rarely for cutting as the burnt edge is not my favorite. I would vote 4x4 CNC before laser for woodworkers. My 2 cents. Great video and sign. Now if only CNC machines could prime, sand and paint...🤔.

As a die hard NYW fan, this was epic, especially the "this was made possible by". Although I'm surprised I didn't hear "made possible by a generous grant from the Clagett Family Foundation". And as always, there's no greater safety tip than to wear these safety glasses.

That sign looks amazing. I’m in the process of deciding laser or CNC so this video helped a lot.

Love the video! Personally I feel like using a CNC generally results in a slower workflow, as there is usually a cost of CAM work (generating tool paths for the CNC to go from design to cutting). Feeds and speeds (how fast to cut, how deep to cut, how fast to spin the bit, etc) is an art in itself. That being said, the CNC definitely lets you do more things so there’s always a trade off :)

Man I miss Norm and the New Yankee Workshop. I remember the episode where he made signs using different techniques and met a master sign maker that did then by hand. Great homage with the Book of Boba Fett reference

EPIC nod to the New Yankee Workshop. The design, the opening credit music, and the outro "...and viewers like you." Love the homage.

Great video and excellent comparison. I want both LOL. Thanks for running us through the process of making this sign, it turned out fantastic.

I wasn't go to say anything until you mentioned this project on the podcast twice, but this kind of comes full circle for me. I grew up with my dad watching the New Yanky Workshop and being very (in a not too mean way) jealous. He would often say things at the TV like, "Cut it again Norm!" or "Oh just make a perfect joint why don't you?!", and that is how Sunday Morning TV was in the house. . . I started watching your cannel when you were building the Tie Fighter firepit and then binge watched a lot of your catalog.... Afterwards, I called my sister and told her "I think I found my Norm Abram" We both laughed for awhile over it. I to am jealous of the cool things that you build, But I do appreciate that you do talk through the issues you run into and troubleshooting of the problems. I think that is way I don't yell at my laptop screen. I do try to keep up in my own way, I have a fair few of my own projects, some even turn out pretty good.

I recently had this debate with myself. I ultimately ended up choosing a laser for my shop. I make a lot of cutting boards that customers want with their name/logo burned on to it. I think the CNC is fantastic and I will eventually get one but for my needs the laser was the best bet. This is entirely subjective (like you said) and specific to my needs. I enjoyed the video as always!

When one of your favorite YouTubers collabs with one of your favorite artists. Watching this surrounded by the six prints I have of Brian's art in my work office. So cool!

Love the walkthrough of making one of these signs. I see so many people making them and fewer people taking the time to walk others through the process.